Just to expand a bit more on the verses like Dave did...
Romans 1:16-23
16 For not ashamed am I of the evangel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who is believing -- to the Jew first, and to the Greek as well.
17 For in it God's righteousness is being revealed, out of faith for faith, according as it is written: "Now the just one by faith shall be living."
18 For God's indignation is being revealed from heaven on all the irreverence and injustice of men who are retaining the truth in injustice,
19 because that which is known of God is apparent among them, for God manifests it to them.
20 For His invisible attributes are descried from the creation of the world, being apprehended by His achievements, besides His imperceptible power and divinity, for them to be defenseless,
21 because, knowing God, not as God do they glorify or thank Him, but vain were they made in their reasonings, and darkened is their unintelligent heart.
22 Alleging themselves to be wise, they are made stupid,
23 and they change the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of a corruptible human being and flying creatures and quadrupeds and reptiles.
These people are carnal yet babes in Christ, being cold and not hot, not continuing and abiding in God's word to maturity. When the Word references "The World" it's speaking of "the church" and vice versa, babylon (it's one and the same). Mankind, all mankind has a covenant with God wether they know it or not. Through Adam ALL die, but through Christ ALL live. All humanity lives and breathes and moves in Christ. But Christ is not IN (having His doctrine and mindset) everyone... yet.
For all that is in "the world", "the church".... lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. It's VANITY, it's humanity, it's "the church" until we come out of it and acknowledge Christ living His life IN US. It's no longer I who lives, but CHRIST who lives in me. I pop out of my momma's belly subject to vanity, everyone is in the same condition, and at God's awesome appointed time, he drags us out....
Those who abide/continue in God's Word KNOW the truth, and the truth makes us free.
For the elect now, we abide and continue in God's word. the many still stay carnal in vanity, not going on into maturity.... until the great white throne.
We the elect are currently now going through our great white throne age, being judged now. You know what judgement is? THIS, right here right now, is judgement/grace/chastisement. God is causing "the world", "the church", to kill us. We are having the wood hay and stubble burned out of us now.
The many will experience this too, but at a later date. They will be angry and nash their teeth in frustration. I was angry with God at first when he showed me I had no free will. I threw a big baby fit! I cried and cried. But thank you Lord He kept dragging me through it so that I may know Him, the Truth.
Bob you asked... "To whom does the following verse apply? To all humans? To adult humans only? To the called and not for sure chosen? I'm concerned because millions of children die in ignorance, even children of the called before they have the ability to discern the facts of life. Thanks, I-Bob"
Don't worry Bob, I know how you feel, I've had the same thoughts as you and asked the same questions. The verses apply to all humans... but in God's appointed time in each individual's life. If they don't go through judgement/grace now, they (the many, the world) will physically die in this age... be resurrected... be taught to understand (by grace and truth and judgement) and go through it later. All babies, all adults, all aborted babies, people born with no legs or no arms, transvestites, all kids, ALL HUMANITY. Don't worry, about a thing, Christ has got them covered
Wow, I could just go on and on, I love Jesus's style! I hoped this helped Bob!
Like Rhy's and Arcturus said... God IS THE PLAN!