Man's Opportunity - The Gospel and The Justice of God
Question: How can God be a just God and allow someone who has never heard the
gospel to suffer eternal condemnation?
The first thing Paul shows us is “Man’s Opportunity”—the possibilities that we all have had to know God. This is a most interesting study because it is the very question that is usually asked when you sit down to talk to somebody about Christ or about God. Inevitably, sooner or later, the question comes up: “Well, what about the heathens who have never heard the gospel?”
In Chapter 1, Verses 18-20 we have the answer to this question:
· (vs18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
This is the answer that Paul gives to the question: What about the heathens who have never heard? His answer is that they are without excuse. Why? Because they have heard! They may not have heard the story of Jesus as we have it recorded in the Scriptures (what we may call a Sunday school level revelation about God), but they have the knowledge, both external and internal about God.
In our eagerness to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the earth, we are mistakenly left with the impression that those out there in foreign, pagan lands are living in total darkness about God. We are sometimes told that they have no opportunity to know God at all unless we go out there to them with the gospel; they will perish in their sins without a chance unless Christians are faithful in the preaching of the Word.
I understand what prompts this, and I am in full agreement with the need to go out these lands and proclaim the gospel of Christ—but not for the reason that many give for the effort. It isn’t that men are perishing without a chance. No one dies without a chance to know God. This is what Paul is declaring here.
Paul is stating here that there has been a universal revelation of God, which has reached everyone, everywhere, in every age and time. No one has ever lived without the knowledge of God, for what can be known of God is very plain to them, because God has shown Himself to them. God took the initial steps and responsibility to let men know what He is like. God has shown Himself to them. How has he done this? Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible nature has been clearly seen in the things that have been made (i.e., in nature) so they are without excuse.
Here are two references in scripture that are very sufficient in demonstrating that no man dies in total darkness – without the knowledge of God. The revelation is universal both in the external knowledge and the internal knowledge.
For the external opportunity for man, consider Psalm 19:1-4:
For the internal evidence, consider Job 32:8;
Who then lives without the knowledge and understanding of God? The universal revealing of God is seen through the heavens. It is written in nature and in man himself, who is part of nature. No matter where you are or the circumstances you’re in, God is seen in His creation where there is no need for speech or language.
Dr. Horstmann testified, “My scientific conscience forbids me not to believe in God.” Pasteur concurred, “Just because I reflected I remained a believer.” Dr. A. Nueberg agreed when he said, “God causes all things, and whoever thinks in terms of cause and effect thinks in the direction of God.” Even an unbeliever like Voltaire confesses, “I do not know what I should think about the world. I cannot believe this clock exists without a clockmaker.”
I think this a wonderful confirmation that – even in the heart of someone who has no eyes to see, nor ears to hear – there is a revelation of God in the human heart. And, if we just take a moment to listen to this revelation, there is much knowledge about God that we may come to know.
In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we are told something about man’s approach to God. We read there that it is impossible to please God without faith: “for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6) We should call this the basic minimum of what it takes to know God. You must believe that He is, meaning, we must at least believe in the existence of God and the personality of God – That he is an intelligent being who responds to the seeking of man.
This is what nature proves, isn’t it? That all of us had some sample, some contact, some encounter with the power of nature. (With the power of God!) God is a God of power, and that power indicates to us a force behind that power. Nature is alive with God’s power. It speaks therefore of the mighty existence of God.
But more than that, all of us have experienced some knowledge of the sovereignty of God in nature. We don’t play around with the laws of nature. Have you noticed when we discover a natural law, we are careful to observe it because, oftentimes, our lives depend on it! Nature is sovereign. It has a right to do what it was made to do, and in that we see the sovereignty of God – His right to be God, His right to choose, and His right to set up nature according to His idea, not ours. This, if acted upon, is the minimum basis man needs to know God – and every man knows this. This is what Hebrews 11:6 says. I need to stress the phrase if acted upon. It is not enough just to know about God’s sovereignty: It must govern us. It must control us. It must do something to us.
The first thing Paul shows us is “Man’s Opportunity”—the possibilities that we all have had to know God. This is a most interesting study because it is the very question that is usually asked when you sit down to talk to somebody about Christ or about God. Inevitably, sooner or later, the question comes up: “Well, what about the heathens who have never heard the gospel?”
In Chapter 1, Verses 18-20 we have the answer to this question:
· (vs18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
·
(vs19) Because what may be
known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
·
(vs20) For since the
creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so
that they are without excuse.
This is the answer that Paul gives to the question: What about the heathens who have never heard? His answer is that they are without excuse. Why? Because they have heard! They may not have heard the story of Jesus as we have it recorded in the Scriptures (what we may call a Sunday school level revelation about God), but they have the knowledge, both external and internal about God.
In our eagerness to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the earth, we are mistakenly left with the impression that those out there in foreign, pagan lands are living in total darkness about God. We are sometimes told that they have no opportunity to know God at all unless we go out there to them with the gospel; they will perish in their sins without a chance unless Christians are faithful in the preaching of the Word.
I understand what prompts this, and I am in full agreement with the need to go out these lands and proclaim the gospel of Christ—but not for the reason that many give for the effort. It isn’t that men are perishing without a chance. No one dies without a chance to know God. This is what Paul is declaring here.
Paul is stating here that there has been a universal revelation of God, which has reached everyone, everywhere, in every age and time. No one has ever lived without the knowledge of God, for what can be known of God is very plain to them, because God has shown Himself to them. God took the initial steps and responsibility to let men know what He is like. God has shown Himself to them. How has he done this? Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible nature has been clearly seen in the things that have been made (i.e., in nature) so they are without excuse.
Here are two references in scripture that are very sufficient in demonstrating that no man dies in total darkness – without the knowledge of God. The revelation is universal both in the external knowledge and the internal knowledge.
For the external opportunity for man, consider Psalm 19:1-4:
· The heavens declare the
glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day unto day
utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no
speech nor language where their voice is not heard.Their line has
gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
For the internal evidence, consider Job 32:8;
·
But there is a spirit in
man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
Who then lives without the knowledge and understanding of God? The universal revealing of God is seen through the heavens. It is written in nature and in man himself, who is part of nature. No matter where you are or the circumstances you’re in, God is seen in His creation where there is no need for speech or language.
Dr. Horstmann testified, “My scientific conscience forbids me not to believe in God.” Pasteur concurred, “Just because I reflected I remained a believer.” Dr. A. Nueberg agreed when he said, “God causes all things, and whoever thinks in terms of cause and effect thinks in the direction of God.” Even an unbeliever like Voltaire confesses, “I do not know what I should think about the world. I cannot believe this clock exists without a clockmaker.”
I think this a wonderful confirmation that – even in the heart of someone who has no eyes to see, nor ears to hear – there is a revelation of God in the human heart. And, if we just take a moment to listen to this revelation, there is much knowledge about God that we may come to know.
In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we are told something about man’s approach to God. We read there that it is impossible to please God without faith: “for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6) We should call this the basic minimum of what it takes to know God. You must believe that He is, meaning, we must at least believe in the existence of God and the personality of God – That he is an intelligent being who responds to the seeking of man.
This is what nature proves, isn’t it? That all of us had some sample, some contact, some encounter with the power of nature. (With the power of God!) God is a God of power, and that power indicates to us a force behind that power. Nature is alive with God’s power. It speaks therefore of the mighty existence of God.
But more than that, all of us have experienced some knowledge of the sovereignty of God in nature. We don’t play around with the laws of nature. Have you noticed when we discover a natural law, we are careful to observe it because, oftentimes, our lives depend on it! Nature is sovereign. It has a right to do what it was made to do, and in that we see the sovereignty of God – His right to be God, His right to choose, and His right to set up nature according to His idea, not ours. This, if acted upon, is the minimum basis man needs to know God – and every man knows this. This is what Hebrews 11:6 says. I need to stress the phrase if acted upon. It is not enough just to know about God’s sovereignty: It must govern us. It must control us. It must do something to us.
Principles From This Passage
From this passage we gain some important principles which apply not only to the heathen, but to us as well.
1. Paul has proven that God is
righteous and just in condemning the heathen, for they have rejected God’s
revelation in creation. The revelation, which was rejected, was not sufficient
for salvation, but adequate for condemnation. Our response to God’s revelation
in nature is evidence of our response to any amount of revelation. Our Lord
said to the rich man in Sheol, concerning his lost relatives, “… If they do not
listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone
rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31)
2. Our response to divine
revelation reveals the condition of our heart towards God, and the condition of
our hearts determines our response to any revelation we receive. The scribes
and Pharisees refused to believe the claims of our Lord in spite of the evidence.
But what of someone who does respond positively to the revelation of God in
nature? We would be correct to assume that those whose hearts God opens will be
given the necessary revelation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. All men know God. From Adam
and then Noah, all from those times had the knowledge of God. And as the sins
of the fathers will be passed down to their children, so our heavenly Father
has passed down the knowledge of himself through His creation. Man has no
excuse!
4. There is available to every
man a certain knowledge of God. This knowledge is attained by observing the
handiwork of God in creation. Just as we can learn much of a writer by studying
his work, or a painter by his expression on the canvas, so, also, we can learn
from His handiwork. Who can study the power of the atom and not be impressed
with the power of He who created it? And who can ponder creation without
concluding that someone far greater than mortal man was the originator of it
all?
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