God is fair and just but there is no other way to Heaven apart from Jesus Christ. We should not get the sentimental idea that somehow all the religions are all connected. See John 14:6 & Acts 4:12. Jesus is the only way. What about those who have never heard the Gospel? Is it fair for them to go to hell?

1 – The revelation factor (vs. 19-20)

All men have some light. Let us consider those whom we might call heathen. They have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are saying “not guilty”! They may claim innocence through ignorance. Yet they are guilty. Why? All men have some light. See John 1:9. There are two witnesses:-

• Creation – Creation is a witness to God. See Romans 1:19-20 & Psalm 18:1. The creator is clearly seen by the things that are made. When we see a magnificent building we realise there was an architect and builder.
• Conscience – See Romans 1:19 & 2:14. There is an inner witness to go with the outer witness. There is a built-in knowledge of God. An atheist is one because of moral problems rather than intellectual problems. The Bible says that professing themselves to be wise they became fools. Why? The fool has said in his heart there is no God. The atheist wants to rid himself of any moral conscience.

2. The refusal factor (vs. 21-22)

All people have some light but light refused will increase darkness. You cannot but truth in your pocket and decide to use it sometime. You must trust and obey God when you receive light or you will lose it. The opposite of truth is sin. See Romans 1:18. The truth is resisted. It is resisted in unrighteousness. People don’t want to change their lifestyle. See 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. There are those who hear and know the truth but want to remain in their sin. With this comes the baggage of delusion, believing in lies and damnation. Light refused increases darkness. You can’t put truth on ice.

3. The reception factor (vs. 16)

Light obeyed increases light. God will get the gospel to that person if they have sufficient light. See Acts 8:26-40. God sent Philip from a revival meeting to meet one man out in the desert. The Ethiopian eunuch was seeking the light and God went out of His way to bring him the message of the gospel so that he might be saved. See Acts 10. Cornelius was seeking God and he found him. He seeks out Peter and is saved. You must obey what God teaches you. See John 7:17. Some people want to honestly investigate – others do not.

4. The reckoning factor

When God comes to judge us what will be His standard? Do you think it will be by the sin we have committed? No! It will be by the light we have rejected. See Romans 2:5, 11. God knows how much light we have. Some of us live where there are plenty of Christian churches and book shops. See Luke 12:48. You may have had more light than other people. You have a greater reckoning if you reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not what God is going to do to the heathen. It is what God is going to do to you who heard again and again and rejected the light. You can’t say to God that you never had a chance. All men have some light. How are you using it?

Categories: Romans