There's no such thing as an "Athiest" since God is clearly discerned by what he's made (Rom 1). The Bible lets us know that what God PROMISED in Genesis ("Crushing the devil's head") has been provided (the Gospel: Eph 2:8,9).
God has let us know what HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES is.
God has let us know what HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES is.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to
live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
The KJV rendered it like this...
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
What I am getting at is this. Reading a translation will not always convey the intend of what was written in the original languages.
You ( and others) seem to think the KJV does a perfect job in doing so.
You felt free to assume what you did because translations can only be a tool to begin to be taught.
They need to be explained in detail by a qualified pastor-teacher.
One pastor showed us something that not only made sense, but set many free for the first time.
The word translated "teaching" was not the typical word used for a teacher student setting.
It meant to learn something the hard way.
It means God allows us to get hurt, sometimes badly, so we will once and for all learn to say no to unrighteousness.
It does not mean, grace simply teaches us what we should do.
Big difference.
We have all been hurt and learned to say "no" to certain things that we will not ever do again.
That was how the grace of God was teaching us to deny -say no,- to unrighteousness.
By letting us get hurt!
grace and peace ........