When Paul preached the gospel in Antioch of Pisidia, the Jewish leaders rejected his message, prompting the following response.
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46 (NLT)
People who object to the gospel’s claim of being God’s only means of salvation sometimes ask the question: “What about those people who never have the opportunity to hear it? Is God so unrighteous that he would condemn them without giving them a chance to be saved?”
This question reveals an arrogant presupposition: it assumes that we have a “right” to be saved. Nothing could be farther from the truth. No one has a right to anything except what our sins earn for us, which is condemnation and death.
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” Romans 3:10–12 (NLT) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NLT)
A more important question for anyone reading this meditation is the following: “What about those who do hear the gospel and reject it?” Paul clearly said that, if we reject God’s generous offer to be forgiven and reconciled to him, we condemn ourselves.
It turns out that God is completely righteous (Psalm 92:15), and no one goes to hell against his or her will.
The Bible says that those who seek God will find him. God never turns away any honest seeker, but will provide a way for them to know him.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB95) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7–8 (NASB95)
Jesus made this possible by taking upon himself the guilt and condemnation associated with our rebellion against God and dying on the cross.
If we put our trust and allegiance in him, the risen Lord, we will be released from God’s just death sentence. If we choose to reject this offer, we seal our own doom – an eternity without God. The choice is ours.
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18 (NLT)
Are you ready to get right with God? Here is a sample prayer you can use right now, if you want.
Prayer
Father God, the thought of spending eternity separated from you, the Author and Sustainer of life, terrifies me. Please forgive me for all my sins, especially for trying to live without any reference to you. Thank you for sending your Son to die for me. Jesus, I acknowledge that you are the risen Lord. I receive you into my life and dedicate my remaining days to your service. Holy Spirit, come live in and through me. Transform me on the inside to be more like Jesus. Empower me to be bold in telling others about how you make people right with you. Amen.
