God has revealed Himself to every person on earth with general revelation, which gives the definite knowledge that God exists. Paul makes this very clear, “because that which is known about God is evident within them for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:19). There is no middle ground.Īll people have received general revelation from God, which makes them without excuse before Him. There is not another category in which someone could find themselves. Every person is either a believer in Christ, or under divine wrath.
This means that at this very moment, wherever an unbeliever is on the earth – whether he has heard the gospel or not – he is already under divine wrath. The verb “is revealed” is in the present tense. They are deservedly under the wrath of God. This is true, not only of those who have heard the gospel and rejected it, but of those who have never heard the gospel. Paul writes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). The testimony of Scripture is clear that all unconverted people are under the wrath of God. We are going to use these verses to walk through the book of Romans, seeing how God deals with those who have never heard the gospel Romans 2:12-16 is the signature text in the Bible on this controversial subject. Today’s study in Romans will be helpful for us, because it will equip us to better interact with to others about those who have never heard the gospel. Inevitably, as I talk to unbelievers, these same questions seem to always be present. Among those most frequently asked is: What about those who have never heard the gospel? How do they stand before God? Will God grade them on a curve? Will God judge them in comparison to a moderated standard of morality? Will God measure them by others in their culture? If they are religious and sincere, can that gain them acceptance with God? For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus (Romans 2:12-16).Īs I teach and preach the word of God, certain questions inevitably are raised. 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 it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
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