Also, we are told in Romans 1:18-23 that everybody knows God exists; even atheists. God made sure of that so they are all without excuse. They consciously choose not to believe due to their lifestyle being threatened by His Ways.
Don't agree, "everybody knows
God exists".
There is a difference between...knowing...and believing.
There is the challenge...one to another...how do "you know", prove it.
What God "shewed" to men...
WAS...in the OT...listen, watch and see.
* God revealed He IS God, by His own Declaration. (His Word).
* God then FORETOLD, this and that, WOULD HAPPEN.
* As the FORETELLING, came to pass, THAT, was mans PROOF, of Gods Existence.
* From early on...beginning with Adam...being told...man lives...man shall die.
Nothing has changed, that comes to pass.
Men for centuries have observed men living, men dying.
* Men CAN decide for themselves...(via FREEWILL)... Intellectually, Logically, Physiologically, Scientifically; ie MINDFULLY
IF God exists or not.
* Men CAN decide for themselves...(via FREEWILL)...HEARTFULLY IF God exists of not.
WHO IS WITHOUT EXCUSE?
IS in Rom 1:21
He who KNEW, then Rejected.
(This is primarily speaking TO the Hebrews and Tribesmen...Whose History was steeped in God...but by scattering of the Tribes, and influence of Gentiles...they began mimicking Gentiles...making idols "their" gods. Rom 1:23.
Rom 1:
[
18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[
19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[
20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[
21] Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
[
22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
[
23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into
an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
A further Understanding IS:
Jesus came Preaching the Word of God...
The Word of God....IS "spirit"...absolute TRUTH...It does NOT require the "intellect" of the MIND (to logically PICK between This and That)...
See the difference?
The MIND, has to decide between this and that.
The spirit of man, can BELIEVE, Gods Word IS TRUTH...or not.
HOW CAN A MAN BELIEVE, Gods Word IS TRUTH?
* ONLY ONE WAY....
* The man HAS TO "HEAR" Gods Word.
(That IS the mans Effort).
* And For Every man WHO HEARS Gods Word; God Himself; GIVES THAT man...
Measures of Faith...with IS giving that man...
BELIEF.
* AND WHY....Jesus Preached, and Jesus Appointed men, and Jesus Sent men, and THEY "repeated" Jesus' Words, over and over and over FOR men TO HEAR....and men repeating over and over for men to HEAR...The Word of God....spreading Over centuries...the World Over...Hearing the Word of God...
Men can NOT..."unhear" what they HAVE HEARD.
Men HEARING, is precisely, the "WAY", a man "receives", measures of Gods gift of "faith"...
Hear MORE, receive MORE Faith.
You are aware of the world spreading of Gods Word....as well you are aware of MEN, who TRY to KEEP men from Hearing Gods Word.
( Men spread Gods Word openly preaching and preaching secretly passing the Truth from generation to generation (against "some" mans laws)...
ONCE "THEY" hear... By Gods "gift" of "FAITH", (Holy Spirit to mans spirit)... is the beginning of a mans BELIEF...
THAT IS NOT receiving SALVATION...
THAT IS receiving FAITH.
It is THEN, Applicable....THEY become "WITHOUT" excuse...to NOT BELIEVE.
Paul's Preaching to the Romans (Gentiles)...
Was not exclusive to the Gentiles...it included Jews as well, standing in the crowds listening.
God Almighty was a new Concept to the Gentiles (primarily idol god worshipers) and Jesus, was a new Concept to the Jews (God A SPIRIT, in the flesh likeness "as a man"...)
And PFFF....a man with no pomp, kingdom, political power, army, etc.... Hard for them to believe....Hard for any man to believe....
WITHOUT Hearing, and receiving Gods measures of His gift of FAITH.
So YES....men ARE without EXCUSE...
But the HOW and WHY is different, Because of Divisional Circumstances...
between Jews and Gentiles.
Jews having a LONG History of belief in God Almighty...and Gentiles having a LONG History of belief in "idols and men" being their gods.
So your position that the only sin after conversion is unbelief doesn't even come close to standing up to the Light of scripture.
THAT WAS NEVER my Position!
Unbelief...IN the Lord God...
IS NOT POSSIBLE "AFTER" Conversion.
Unbelief...IS is the NATURAL "condition", of a natural born man.
Pss 51:5