Bible Study - Questions - What About People Who've Never Heard about JESUS? - Romans 1:16-25 - February 2, 2014

Bible Study – Questions – What About People Who’ve Never Heard about JESUS? – February 2, 2014

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Questions People Ask.”

Our scripture is Romans 1:16-25.

What about those who have never heard of JESUS? What happens to them after they die? These are great questions. The Apostle Paul gives us some insight into the answers.

We need to keep in mind that GOD’S desire is for no one to perish eternally. Matthew 18:14:

14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish. (JESUS was speaking about children.)

2 Peter 3:9:

9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

The will of the Father is that none perish. Ephesians 1:4 reveals that all have been chosen by GOD but humans have a choice whether or not to accept CHRIST as his or her Savior. The choice is theirs to make. All are chosen but the chosen have a decision to make: To either accept CHRIST by faith as their Savior or reject HIM.

Ephesians 1:4:

4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love.

James 1:17:

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

There are certain parameters GOD maintains and certain things HE allows for Himself. The absolute is that HE is consistent. HE means what HE says and says what HE means.

All people have a choice between being judged by CHRIST/GOD after they die and not being judged by accepting CHRIST by faith as their Savior during their time upon earth.  Thos who accept CHRIST as their Savior have been redeemed from eternal death by the shed blood of CHRIST. They will not being judged because those in CHRIST, in essence, died when CHRIST died, were buried with HIM, were resurrected with HIM, ascended with HIM, returned to earth to obediently serve GOD through the direction of the Holy Spirit. I know that is hard to comprehend. A Christian’s citizenship is in heaven because they are Sons or Daughters of GOD through the miracle of rebirth the instant they receive CHRIST as his or her Savior. The destination of Christians is sure, secure and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. But what happens to those who die without CHRIST or never heard about CHRIST?

Let’s explore.

Let’s read Romans 1:18-25:

The Guilt of the Gentile World

All people are without excuse before GOD.

18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. 24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. • Amen.

The Apostle Paul used the words “God’s wrath is revealed” to begin verse 19. We think of wrath as some irrational outburst of anger but in this case it means GOD’S holy and just opposition toward those who see the truth but choose to reject it in favor of following the dictates of the flesh. So in this case there are those who see their need of salvation but refuse to accept it. Unless they accept CHRIST as their Savior their fate is sealed.

People cannot claim ignorance of GOD because HE reveals Himself to all through HIS creation. HIS divine nature is revealed through all creation.

GOD reveals Himself to all people through HIS creations and that is how all people know that HE exists. How is it evident that the heathen or pagan knows that GOD, the creator of all things, exists? It is because they make all sorts of objects representing GOD’S handiwork – birds, reptiles, sun, moon, animals - or an image of a corruptible person like a king or queen. They make these images out of wood, stone, clay, metals or use sex to worship these false gods. The fact that they make these representations reveals and confirms that they know that a higher power created the material things they see and enjoy. But they have missed the mark and refused to acknowledge the one true GOD of the universe Who created all things, including them. GOD can only reveal; mankind has to choose.

But there is still the matter of the heart and only GOD knows the heart of every person and HE reveals Himself to every person in his or her heart, the most secret place within. Those, to whom GOD revealed Himself as they worshipped these false gods, yet rejected HIM, will be held accountable and judged by GOD and condemned to eternal punishment.

GOD will reveal Himself to every person. Those who respond to the light they have received from GOD within their hearts will be judged by HIM according to their response to that Spiritual light. The key word is JUDGED.

I have read about missionaries telling of ministering to those who have never heard of CHRIST. They told the missionaries that they knew HIM but did not know HIS name. The Apostle Paul mentions this in Romans 2:12-16:

12 All those who sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.

14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them 16 on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.

Only GOD can and will judge those who, based upon our perspective and knowledge, have never heard of JESUS. They will be judged by GOD based upon the Spiritual Light they have received from HIM and how they responded to that Spiritual Light. But focus on the word “judged.” Do you want to be measured by GOD’S standard for righteousness? I don’t because I would fail. The Good News is salvation through faith in CHRIST results in passing from death into eternal life and not being judged by GOD. When Christians die they go directly to heaven to live in the presence of CHRIST and GOD. Christians will receive rewards from GOD based upon their obedience to HIM, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, while they were upon earth.

As Christians our role is to present the Gospel of CHRIST to the entire world as JESUS commissioned HIS disciples before HE ascended into heaven after HIS crucifixion. Our world is wherever we are. Some Christians receive a special calling to go beyond their normal world but all are called to share the light of the Gospel of CHRIST as GOD provides the opportunity.

Which is better to be judged or not to be judged? I personally rejoice in the fact that as a Christian, I will not be judged but will be in the presence of GOD and CHRIST the instant I exit this earth suit. That is Good News and it is a joy to share with others as GOD gives the opportunity.

The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST Brings Salvation to All Who Believe.

Let’s read Romans 1:16-17:

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

GOD’S plan for the redemption of mankind is through faith in HIS Only Son, JESUS CHRIST. JESUS said it best in John 5:24, those who place their faith in CHRIST already have eternal life and will not come under judgment because they have already passed from death into life. This is accomplished through the miracle of the rebirth.

John 5:24:

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Let’s go back Romans 2:12-16. Those without CHRIST will be judged by GOD as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 2:12-16:

12 All those who sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous. 14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them 16 on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.

The Good News of CHRIST is that all who place their faith in HIM will not be judged because they are already Sons and Daughters of GOD through the miracle of rebirth through faith in CHRIST. There will be rewards based upon obedience to the leadership of GOD through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

So those who have never heard of CHRIST will be judged based upon the light GOD placed into their hearts and how they responded to that light. Their final eternal destination is in GOD’S hands.

As Christians our part is to present the Gospel of CHRIST and spread the Good News of salvation to all who place their faith in CHRIST.

Some may think that, “Wouldn’t it be better to not let anyone know about CHRIST?” If you had a cure for the most dreaded disease in the world that resulted in a sure horrible, agonizing, lingering death, would you keep it to yourself or share it? You can offer the cure but it is up to the person with the disease whether or not to take the cure. Taking the cure would cure but choosing not to take the cure would result in death.

This question of what happens to those who have never heard of CHRIST is hard to fathom. GOD works behind the scenes in all humans in the most secret place within each person revealing Himself.

We must trust GOD to judge others based upon the light HE has given to them and how they responded to that light. That is iffy. A Christian’s part is to present CHRIST as GOD provides the opportunity. Faith in CHRIST removes the iffy and replaces it with certainty, security and assurance through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.

Do you recall the parable of the talents that JESUS told? (Mathew 25:14-30) GOD has given to every Christian the most valuable gifts of salvation, rebirth, forgiveness, grace, citizenship in heaven, Spiritual light, the indwelling Holy Spirit, status of being HIS Son or Daughter and so much more. The Bible reveals in Luke 12:47-48:

47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten. 48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.

JESUS said in Matthew 5:14-16:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Christians have been entrusted with the Good News of salvation and redemption through faith in CHRIST. This Good News is not to be hidden but shared as the Holy Spirit leads and guides all Christians. To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required. When Christians are led by the Holy Spirit, it is easy to minister but when they try to minister in their own strength, it is scary, difficult and tiring. Christians must allow the Holy Spirit to lead them.

We must keep in mind that GOD’S desire is for none to perish but for all humans to have everlasting life and to live eternally in HIS presence. All are chosen but few choose to accept CHRIST as their Savior. Have you made that choice in your life? My prayer is that you have or will because today is the day of salvation. Blessings!!!