PrayerWarr1or
Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2010
- Messages
- 137
Something just came up in my mind and heart, and I am puzzled and curious to hear what your guys' response will be. The question I am pondering is relative to God and his judgment. It is His job to judge us (Job 21:22 - Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?) and I trust his judgment more than anything else; I know my judgment is unimaginably inferior to his perfect judgment. However, I find trouble in the statement 'If you do not accept Jesus Christ you will go to hell'.
Now don't get me wrong, I know in my heart that rejecting Jesus Christ and God's offer for Him to be your atonement for sin definetly leads to damnation but the trouble I have with the statement above concerns those in the world who do not ever get a chance to hear His word and be saved. Something that has stuck with my heart is when I heard from someone that God will not judge you for what you do not know. It does make since considering all the countries and cultures where uttering God's word could likely get you the death penalty, thus word doesnt travel around those parts for obvious reasons.
Yet we have the missionaries, a very important part of ensuring everyone has a chance to know God's unbounding love through Jesus Christ. They bring about the latter statement in conjunction with God's word and yes, it is true that once you have heard the gospel for the first time and you are able to make the decision for yourself and reject said gospel you face damnation (Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation") (Luke 10:10-12 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.).
The thing that concerns me the most is the part where you aren't able to make the decision for yourself due to many possible reasons. Being young or mentally incoherant is the first thing that comes to mind, but what about severe hunger and medical conditions? Take a look at third world countries around the world and in a large percentage of Africa where famine and starvation are regular sights. Does someone who hasnt eaten in a couple weeks have the mental capacity to accept Jesus Christ as their savior when they hear a missionary bring the Word to them? I heard something that makes perfect sense once and it is that the number one priority in helping someone is to meet their physical needs first and foremost.
I guess what it comes down to is that we are not the ones who judge, that is up to God. He knows all of our circumstances without fail or any lack of clarity and he is a just God (Deuteronomy 32:4 - He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.) but I can't help but feel the answer to the question 'does not accepting Christ mean damnation for absolutely everyone even if they never hear or are able to choose Him?' is never really answerable. Again, I trust and am very thankful for his righteous judgement but I would love to hear your guys' thoughts on this matter.
With Love Always,
Vermin Bosse
Now don't get me wrong, I know in my heart that rejecting Jesus Christ and God's offer for Him to be your atonement for sin definetly leads to damnation but the trouble I have with the statement above concerns those in the world who do not ever get a chance to hear His word and be saved. Something that has stuck with my heart is when I heard from someone that God will not judge you for what you do not know. It does make since considering all the countries and cultures where uttering God's word could likely get you the death penalty, thus word doesnt travel around those parts for obvious reasons.
Yet we have the missionaries, a very important part of ensuring everyone has a chance to know God's unbounding love through Jesus Christ. They bring about the latter statement in conjunction with God's word and yes, it is true that once you have heard the gospel for the first time and you are able to make the decision for yourself and reject said gospel you face damnation (Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation") (Luke 10:10-12 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.).
The thing that concerns me the most is the part where you aren't able to make the decision for yourself due to many possible reasons. Being young or mentally incoherant is the first thing that comes to mind, but what about severe hunger and medical conditions? Take a look at third world countries around the world and in a large percentage of Africa where famine and starvation are regular sights. Does someone who hasnt eaten in a couple weeks have the mental capacity to accept Jesus Christ as their savior when they hear a missionary bring the Word to them? I heard something that makes perfect sense once and it is that the number one priority in helping someone is to meet their physical needs first and foremost.
I guess what it comes down to is that we are not the ones who judge, that is up to God. He knows all of our circumstances without fail or any lack of clarity and he is a just God (Deuteronomy 32:4 - He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.) but I can't help but feel the answer to the question 'does not accepting Christ mean damnation for absolutely everyone even if they never hear or are able to choose Him?' is never really answerable. Again, I trust and am very thankful for his righteous judgement but I would love to hear your guys' thoughts on this matter.
With Love Always,
Vermin Bosse
