“Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”– Romans 1: 19-20
If Christ is the only way to heaven, then what about all those who have never heard of Jesus? God’s Word tells us in Romans chapter 1 that there are two ways that all mankind has knowledge of God:
First of all, God is revealed through our consciousness of right and wrong.
Anthropologists have discovered that in every people group throughout history, there has been a belief in some higher power and a sense of right and wrong. The Atheism of today was not the norm throughout history. C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, refers to man’s sense of conscience or “moral ought-ness” as evidence that God exists. Why? Because being made in the image of God, mankind has this inner wrestling between right and wrong. It’s what makes us unique from the animal kingdom. It’s evidence of God’s existence.
Secondly, God is revealed through creation.
In verses 19-20, it’s very clear that God displays His glory in all that He has made. We see the evidence of God in the beauty and complexity of creation. Therefore, no man can truly claim ignorance before God because all mankind can see the evidence of an intelligent designer in Creation.
So what about those who haven’t yet heard the good news of Jesus? The evidence of God is clearly there, and no one has the excuse to claim ignorance when it comes to knowing God. In fact, the scriptures are full of examples of God revealing Himself to those who were truly searching: the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8), the Roman centurion (Acts 10), and Lydia (Acts 16). But that doesn’t mean that Christians get to sit back and watch it all happen.
Jesus, Himself, called on the church to go and tell others (Matthew 28: 19-20). While God doesn’t need any help revealing Himself to the world, He chooses those in His church to take the Gospel to every people group on earth.
So that every person seeking God might have the opportunity to know Him personally through His Son, Jesus Christ.
No, it’s not really a “Members Only” club.
Anyone and everyone are welcome.
All you have to do is ask.
Have you?
Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH
