Not Because of the Rejection of Jesus Christ

Weekly Devotional 9-27-11
Not Because of the Rejection of Jesus Christ

In a recent Bible study, a participant commenting on Jesus’ words, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6), asked, “How can God hold someone accountable for not trusting in Jesus if they have never heard of Him?” The answer to that inquiry is, “He doesn’t.” A person is held accountable because he or she is a sinner. Sin has separated them from Holy God. Man is judged because he is a sinner and comes short of the glory of God (Romans 3:9-12), not because he or she has rejected Christ, of whom they have never heard.

Genesis chapter 3 records the entrance of sin into the world. Adam (man’s federal head) stepped away from the righteousness in which he had been created and in disobedience sought to gain that which God had prohibited. Self-will and desire became his makeup. The seriousness of that disobedience brought separation between God and man, a separation so severe that Scripture refers to it as spiritual death. According to Romans chapter 5, Adam’s self-will and desire became inherent to all his posterity, to all persons. In that same book we read,

“18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For 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: 21Because 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. heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves selves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:18-28).

The apostle Paul, the writer of the above address, is referring to the Gentiles (non-Jews), but later on in the address he explained that this was and is the condition of all unregenerate mankind, both of the Jews and the Gentiles.

Paul, God’s spokesman to the Christians of Rome (and indirectly us), explains clearly how God views all mankind, excluding none, and tells of His wrath against such perversions. It is because of sin that man is lost and separated from Holy God, not because they have rejected Jesus Christ of whom they have never heard. However, God’s answer to this problem is Jesus Christ. Paul wrote…….

“12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It is because of sin that man is condemned. It is because of Jesus’ obedience to the will of the Father that man can be saved. He gave His life in order that those who turn to Him could be saved.

“14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:14-21).

It is our call, and responsibility Christian friend, to tell others here at home and around the world of God’s saving grace and mercy.

stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com

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