What About Those Who Never Heard the Gospel?
Have you ever wondered: “What about those who have never heard the gospel? Are they going to face the judgment of God?” This question often troubles many believers.
The apostle Paul addresses this concern in Romans chapters 1 and 2. In Romans 1, Paul explains that everyone has access to the revelation of God through creation. The beauty and complexity of the universe point to a divine Creator. But rather than acknowledging and thanking God, people suppress this truth. They choose to deny the existence of a divine Designer. Because of this, Paul says that humanity is without excuse (Romans 1:20).
In Romans 2, Paul extends this argument to the moral person who does not believe in Christ, stating that they, too, are without excuse. Apart from faith in Christ, they will face God's judgment. This is because humanity has not only the revelation of creation but also what Paul refers to as "the gospel of conscience." Every person has an innate sense of right and wrong—a moral compass written on their hearts by God.
God’s Impartial Judgment
Paul challenges several myths about God and His judgment. The first myth is that God will be partial toward those He does not want to condemn. In Romans 2:9-10, Paul writes:
“There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.”
Paul is clear: whether Jew or Gentile, those who persist in evil will face judgment, while those who seek to honor God will experience peace. God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11). Judgment is not based on ethnicity, education, wealth, or religious background. God’s justice is fair and impartial.
The Universality of God’s Law
Another myth Paul dispels is that God will judge only those who have explicitly known the Bible’s commands. He states:
“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. . . . For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts.” (Romans 2:12, 14-15)
Every human being, regardless of whether they have read the Bible, has God’s law written on their hearts. We all have an innate understanding of right and wrong. This moral knowledge is part of our God-given conscience.
On judgment day, people will not be judged based on whether they had a Bible but on whether they lived according to the moral law that was evident in their hearts. God will judge people for what they did with the knowledge they had, not for what they did not know.
God Judges the Secrets of the Heart
The third myth Paul addresses is that God will only judge big, obvious sins. Paul explains that God will judge even the hidden secrets of the heart:
“On that day . . . according to my gospel [this is the gospel truth] God [will judge] the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:16)
God will not only judge outward actions but also the secret thoughts and motives of every individual. Nothing will be hidden from His sight. Every sin, both public and private, will be brought to light.
The Good News of Salvation Through Christ
For those who have not placed their faith in Christ, judgment is inevitable because they have rejected God's revelations: creation, conscience, and the gospel of Christ. However, there is hope. Though we cannot hide from God’s judgment, we can find refuge in Him through Jesus Christ.
Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins. By trusting in His sacrifice, we are accepted into God’s family, and our sins are forgiven. This means that instead of fearing eternal judgment, we can look forward to eternal joy.
Final Thoughts
God’s judgment is thorough, fair, and impartial. Everyone is accountable to God for the knowledge they have been given. But the good news of the gospel is that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be saved from the judgment we deserve. By believing in Him, we find a hiding place in God and can look forward to an eternity of joy in His presence.
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