WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO’VE NEVER HEARD ABOUT JESUS?
THE POINT: All people are without excuse
Unfairness hits all of us. Whether it’s a big issue or a small one, we all want to be treated fairly. But unfairness rises to a whole new level when we’re discussing eternal matters.
Is it “fair” for a loving God to punish an innocent person because he or she has never heard about Jesus? The problem with this question is that no one is innocent in God’s eyes. All humanity is guilty and deserving of eternal separation from God (Rom. 3:23; 5:12). Nevertheless, God in His mercy offers forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus

The Verses:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” Romans 1:16-25 KJV
THE LESSON:
How do we reconcile God’s desire for all people to be saved with the fact that not all people have heard about Jesus Christ—God’s only provision for salvation?

Paul begins with the fact that there is good news, and it is in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul communicated a very clear understanding of the gospel. How can a righteous God rescue those who have rebelled against Him and deserve His wrath without compromising His righteousness? Only through the cross. God judged our sin in the death of His one and only Son. God dealt with our sin by allowing the judgment of our sins to fall on Christ.

All people have access to the undeserved grace of God by faith. The gospel is the good news that Jesus brings salvation to all who place their faith in Him. Faith in Jesus is the way—the only way—to experience an abundant relationship with God that can begin now and extend throughout eternity.
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In Romans 1:18-25, Paul details how the ungodly have rejected the general revelation of God and, therefore, are without excuse before God. God has revealed Himself clearly. His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in His work of creation, meaning that all people are without excuse for rejecting God.

Without Jesus, those who claimed to be wise became fools and proceeded to worship creation rather than the Creator. Humans, because of their sinful natures, became idolaters.

Because of their idolatry, God turned them over to the impure desires of their hearts. God has removed His restraint, letting sinful man experience the devastating consequences of his rebellion.

Whether we are members of a pagan tribe in the isolated depths of a distant continent or a typical high school student from any city in America, the Bible declares us to be without excuse before a holy God. This is definitely bad news. But there is good news. The gospel of Jesus offers hope to all of us who are without excuse.
So how do we respond to the questions regarding those who have never heard about Jesus? The best answer we can give from this passage is that God will deal with each person based on what they do with the revelation of who God is and what Jesus Christ has done. The Bible offers no hope of salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

For the person who wants every aspect of this question explained, that answer may be unsatisfactory. More importantly, there are two questions we can answer:
-What is my response to the love, grace, and salvation offered to me through Jesus?
-What am I doing to see that other discover the truth about Jesus?

Those of us who are already Christians should remember that God has called us to share the gospel. Obeying Jesus’ commands to go into all the world and make disciples may involve:
Participating in opportunities to share through your church’s outreach ministry
Sharing the gospel with your neighbors or co-workers
Praying for the global expansion of the gospel
Financially supporting minsters at home and around the world
Going on a mission trip
Answering God’s call to ministry as a pastor or missionary


THE APPLICATION
How do we take responsibility of taking the gospel to the world seriously? What do we do with what we have learned today? Choose one or more of the following ways you can apply what you have learned in your life.
-Change the question. Ask “How can I help?” rather than “Is it fair?” How can you be available to be used by God to share the gospel?
-Share the gospel. Share your story of faith with others. Listen to their stories. Walk them through what Jesus has done.
-Get to know an unreached people group. Research. Pray. Ask God to reveal your role in reaching that people group. Should you write? Give? Go?
God could have devised any way to transmit the good news of Jesus Christ. He has chosen to entrust you and me with His message of reconciliation.