(Isa 45:22) "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth!
When you share with people about Jesus sometimes the question comes up, “What about the heathen? Will they be saved if they haven’t heard the gospel? Would a righteous God send them to hell without the chance of a personal witness?” But not only do non-believers have this question but sometimes believers muse on the matter as well. So let’s take a stab at the topic . . . What about the heathen?
First of all, we must realize that God never goes without a witness. Did He ever in your life? So why would He in others? But if people don’t have the gospel presented to them so that they can be saved . . . what witness then has God at His disposal? Well, God can use any method or ways He wants. He is sovereign, and He knows what’s best in reaching the heart of man. (Rom 11:33) But let’s at least give something substantive in response to this query.
On the more obvious side is the witness of creation. (Rom 1:19-20) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. (see also Psa 19:1-3)
Then there is the witness of conscience. (Rom 2:14-15) for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them . . .
So, man looks up and sees the witness of creation. Then within his heart he has the law of God written. In other words . . . a conscience. But God is not limited to these either. He may append to these the bearing of natural circumstances on men’s souls. He can also use supernatural conditions to move people to a greater disclosure of Himself. We’re hearing more and more reports of God revealing Himself by dreams to those outside a gospel witness. Added to this we must bring in the patriarch Abraham’s estimation of the fairness of God’s divine jurisprudence when he was interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah:
(Gen 18:25) "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
The real question is . . . what about you? Having the knowledge you have, have you bent your knee to Jesus Christ and submitted to His Lordship and will for your life? And furthermore . . . what are you doing to get the gospel out to the heathen world . . . beginning right here at home? (read Acts 1:8) God will take care of His world but have you taken care of your own soul?
Louie
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