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| More compassionate than God |
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Doesn’t every Christian wonder at some point exactly how God judges people who are born in remote regions or in cultures where other religions are taught, and never hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? This is a healthy issue to wrestle with! For most of us, this question compels us to at least pray for far off “unreached” people and distant cultures. Others find themselves called by God to actually seek these people out through involvement in missions. Yet for some, this question turns into an excuse to doubt God altogether.
The basic objection that doubters deal with goes something like “How can I believe in a God that would send people to hell who never had a chance to accept Jesus?” The presumption here appears to be that those who never hear the Gospel are isolated from God and therefore unfairly kept in the dark about Jesus. The Bible actually suggests something quite different. While addressing the Athenians on Mars Hill, Paul said:
17:26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 17:27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Paul plainly told his audience that not only does God determine where everyone will live, but also that he is near every single one of us as well. God is therefore inaccessible to no one!! Since Jesus’ atonement is sufficient to cover every sin committed (2Cor.5:19, 1Tim.4:10, Jn1:29), people all over the world need only exercise a saving faith, just as Abraham did long before Jesus was even born (Rom.4:9). Their salvation experience may look nothing like what we’re used to seeing here in the US, but that’s not to say it’s any less genuine.
To come to grips with doubts about God’s justice, there’s a need to trust what scripture says about how God deals with mankind, as well as what scripture says about God himself. Can the doubters really believe that God’s love reaches to the heavens and his faithfulness to the skies, that his righteousness is like the mighty mountains, and his justice like the great deep (Ps.36)? Can the doubters really believe that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne (Ps.97)? Can the doubters really believe that the God who was, is, and forever shall be (eternal, infinite) is full of compassion (Ps.116)? It seems to me that the doubters deliberately choose to hang onto their doubts, refusing to believe what scripture says about God’s judgments and his character! This tells me that the doubters actually believe they are more compassionate than God! God sees all, they see very little, yet such people put more stock in what they see that what they are told by God’s Word.
Seems to me the issue basically comes down to trusting God. I trust God to be a fair judge, infinitely more righteous and compassionate than I can even conceive of being. I’m confident that all the people of earth are in the hands of the best Judge they could hope for. |
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| To add a comment to "More compassionate than God" |
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| October 21, 2007 |
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| I raced to get to add the first star! he he he...Now I will read the post :) |
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| October 21, 2007 |
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| very dangerous, you know you can't delete a star! |
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| October 21, 2007 |
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Just thank the Lord I agreed! You are "star worthy" even if I don't agree. And hey, I am probably the one who is wrong if we differ anyway :) |
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| October 21, 2007 |
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I am so glad you posted this I hope you don't mind if I pass it along to others. It is a great Thing you do for everyone to bless us all with your found knowledge that God gave you and you sought out after from Him to know. ALL MY LOVE AND HIS FROM ABOVE,
DIANA |
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| October 21, 2007 |
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| Diana, I am delighted to know that you enjoyed the post, and I'm honored to know that you feel this is worth passing along, thanks. God bless! ~mike |
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| October 21, 2007 |
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| Thanks Jack, I'll never turn down a prayer when freely offered! This blog was not specifically about that eternal torture chamber you've written so much about, but I still appreciate that you've read and responded. I do believe God is love, amen to that. One thing we'll definitely agree on, while some discount the compassion of God, I think we would say in unison that nothing surpasses God's love and compassion. It's who he is! Though he is also perfectly righteous, the perfect Judge, let us not forget. God bless you too, Jack. ~mike |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Hi Mike. Great piece. Thanks for grappling with this. So often I hear folks say "Well, if I was God, I'd do _______________." Making themselves the benchmark for comparison and their own judgment of God, who they obvious consider flawed. |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Don, thanks for the comment (& star)! I agree, and I think we were all born with a natural proclivity to make ourselves the benchmark for all sorts of comparisons. I wonder if kids do that same thing when they cry "Daddy, that isn't fair!!" Aren't they questioning why we grown-ups don't cater or fit into their scheme of justice? They rarely realize that they don't have all the information that we do. It's easy for us to be the same way with God, if we aren't careful!
Hey Zach, I see you visited too -- thanks!!! |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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I agree with your post... God is love and He wants all to receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour but,
we are always looking (it seems to me) for loop holes...there aren't any.. it is very clear in the Holy Word of God. We seem to act as if this is our world, our heaven but the fact of the matter is it is not... It is God's everything is God's and He through his love and compassion give everyone the invitation to accept Him... |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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| Danke, sir. God certainly has more compassion that I. I say this with regret and sorrow |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Thanks Joey. I likewise wish I were more compassionate, and in fact as I continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord, I am increasing daily, little by little, in Christlikeness. That means I am indeed gaining in compassion for my fellow humans!! Of course, I'll never achieve the level of compassion that our Lord has. Can we even start to fathom the extent of God's compassion? To think that he is "full of compassion"....wow!! I'll put my trust there anyday!
Cheryl, thanks! I'm glad there are no loopholes with God's justice. Therefore we can put our full confidence and trust in it! |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Thanks for your insight once again Mike.
God has made a way for us to know Him, and we need to rely upon Him to show Himself to the world. Sometimes He uses us, but He does not have to use us to speak to others. He alone is God, and we see things from our imperfect sinful nature, He knows perfectly and His Spirit draws people to His grace.
peace |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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| "we see things from our imperfect sinful nature" ... if only we all had the courage and wisdom to admit this Glenn. Thanks for your insight! |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Mike, perhaps I'm taking this in the direction you did not intend. But you presented an incomplete picture of those remote regions that have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of humanity, you, me, and those people far away, all have sinned and rejected God in their own ways, and violated the law that God planted in their heart (Rom 2:15, Rom 3:9ff). Additionally, even had they not sinned at all, they stand condemned based on their relationship to Adam, their federal headship (Rom 5:12-14). According to God's perfect justice, all are justly deserving of Hell. Such is our dire need for a Savior! And we are to praise God for his perfect judgment, one of the divine attributes of his personality (e.g., Psalm 9). 2 Cor 5 -- I'd be careful with this one. A few verses earlier Paul writes "one died for all, therefore all died." "Died" means "died to sin" in a repentant way. Certainly all people in the world are not repentant. "The world" and "all" in this context is the world of all believers. A similar case can be made for 1 Tim 4:10 and John 1:29. Yes, Jesus' atonement was sufficient to cover all sins of all people, but was the sufficient atonement actually, effectually applied to every person? If it was, all would be in Heaven. Of course, you will say it wasn't actually, effectually applied, but then this leads into the nature of the atonement (a very edifying study!). I argue Christ actually saves people, not potentially saves people, and this is so because Jesus does not actually save every person, but only the elect, a subset of all (which can include people who have not heard the Gospel; read the amazing stories happening in Muslim nations). Mike wrote, "people all over the world need only exercise a saving faith" Agreed. But who exercises a saving faith? Paul says that nobody seeks God, not one (Rom 3). Do some men choose God or does God choose some men (dying for them alone), enabling them to exercise faith? God clearly chose Abraham first (Gen 12:1). So, if it is true that not everybody hears the Gospel, then God is still "fair." Nobody is righteous, all deserve God's wrath. Only by His mercy are we saved from condemnation. To claim this is not fair, all should be saved, is to place your opinions over God's. This is another way of answering the question, different from yours, although yours is also a usable one. I know this is a hot topic, Mike. For the past month I've felt led to break the silence on MyChurch and blog on this topic. I've been resisting because I didn't want to disturb the harmony here, but the feeling that I need to instruct won't go away. The tricky part is blogging in an edifying way, and that'll take some time to do. Expect a lengthy blog in the next month or two. |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Eric, hehe, as far as "taking this in the direction you did not intend", you could say that. :-) I deliberately kept this general, and in fact made a couple of edits even after posting to make this more palatable to the Calvinistic point of view. The intention was to steer clear of theological differences, and stick with the heart attitude referred to, i.e. doubting God's perfect justice (which you correctly alluded to as an attribute of God).
Who exercises a saving faith? No one, except that God draws them. Amen. But back to the blog, why would anyone who knows God doubt that he draws people from remote lands and distant cultures, as well as folks right here in the US? Reread the objection above as stated. The message: trust God for who he is, don't doubt his compassion!!
Thanks for your comment Eric, I admire your thirst for understanding and desire to share what you know! ~mike |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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| Great and balanced blog, Mike. Thanks! |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Mike, Great blog. I am a bottom line kind a gal so this is the bottom line for me.
We need to preach the gospel (good news) to ALL people, and a quickly as possible!!!
For me that is simple. |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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| I do believe that God is a fair and just judge. He will give each and every person a chance, so doubt about that. |
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| October 22, 2007 |
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Two things...
1st...
I have heard numerous stories (that never seem to surface in the media...hmmm) about missionaries spending years preparing to go to a particular unreached territory only to get there to find believers in their midst. Upon questioning the answers are always close to the same...a certain person had dificulty accepting the tribal belief and began to use his brain and ask questions only to have them answered...in one case it was a torn page of the bible that had been kept in secret for generations of a roaming priest that had stopped in a nearby village...and that torn page gave all of the life and truth necessary to prepare the hearts of the tribe for the missionary to come.
In another case a missionary team went to tribal Africa and began to witness and live among the people. They imediately set up two cameras that recorded everything from two peripheral points in the tribe...night and day. When the tribe (before hearing of Jesus) was told of creation, evolution was also introduced and the tribe laughed histerically asking who could be so foolish...African Tribesman...haha. The whole tribe received the gospel.
In another case a woman was raised in a very religious but Godless society in which she was schooled in the Bible from her denominational standpoint...but could not believe as she matured what she was being taught and as she began to question...her questions mounted. That woman was soon approached by a lady who invited her to a "Bible Study" to which she hesitated but went anyways with the hopes of again asking questions that she would most likely be rudely told not to ask. Through the course of the questioning the Lord revealed Himself to her and because my mom was looking, she found the Lord and here I am.
2nd...if we measured the amount of time an average Christian spends reaching those around him (or her) I think we would be disgusted...and I say that with me in the crowd as well. The Bible says that when God blesses a nation, the wicked do not learn righteousness...I wonder if that is partially do to the comfort of the "righteous" and our unwillingness to be lights during the day. Just a thought
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| October 23, 2007 |
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Jack, I can definitely see "drag" as being appropriate in many cases. :-)
Deb, I admire and am deeply encouraged by your charming children-like faith. I look up to you!
Amen Robin, thanks Jay!!!
webyouth (Patrick), I treasure your comment, and am convicted by it as well. We can certainly all do more to advance the Kingdom. I almost wrote a similar comment on another blog but held back. Perhaps it was the H.S., knowing that you would pick up my slack here.
Jack, thank you! And yes, it would be easy for many of our discussions to sink down into the theological weeds, thus depriving many readers the opportunity to reap benefit. I try to avoid that as much as possible.... though this is NOT to say theological contending and debating is a bad thing. My own spiritual understanding has been greatly honed by such discussions. I think it comes down to finding the right time and place. :-) |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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Mike, have a star.
You touched on a real sensitive topic. I imagine that the readers have had this issue brought up regularly when talking to those who are without Christ. I've had it happen to me as I'm sure you have. I always stop them and ask them if they're planning on traveling there and talking to the people of _____ (whatever place they pick). If the answer is yes, then I tell them to be sure to ask them if they've heard about Jesus message of Grace and salvation (and they likely will if they ask). If they say no (more likely) then I ask what difference it makes to their individual decision about accepting the gift that Christ offers them.
Great blog. Mike. |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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God is a good and a just God. God is love His word tells us that. Yes it is all about trusting God and having faith in something and someone we have not seen. Not only did God create us but he gave us free choice whether to live for Him or not, it is not His will that anyone should perish
Thanks Mike |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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Excellent post, Mike.
"To come to grips with doubts about God’s justice, there’s a need to trust what scripture says about how God deals with mankind, as well as what scripture says about God himself. "
Many people profess to speak for God.... I prefer to let the Bible speak for Him.
The wisdom of men is just that. |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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| Mike, are you saying I act like a child? :) Don't look up to me, please...I don't want that position! |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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I was asked in a message to clarify the statement I made :
Hi. I read this blog comment of yours on Mike's blog and wondered if you could clarify it. I understand you were trying to keep it brief, but I don't get why they laughed, or why creation and evolution were both introduced when presenting the gospel. Thanks!
In another case a missionary team went to tribal Africa and began to witness and live among the people. They imediately set up two cameras that recorded everything from two peripheral points in the tribe...night and day. When the tribe (before hearing of Jesus) was told of creation, evolution was also introduced and the tribe laughed histerically asking who could be so foolish...African Tribesman...haha. The whole tribe received the gospel.
To clarify, or attempt to it is important to establish the reason for the tape and the length of the ministry...the missionary team dwelled among the people for months. The tribe was completely bronze age so everything shut down to hear them talk. They went through months establishling the law and its need to which the people of the tribe were successfully able to comprehend and acknowledge. They first presented the origin of the world as God created, then the introcuction of sin, then the need of the law and our hopeless condiion to fullfill it. Then introduced Jesus as the fulfillment of the law. Explained His teachings, His death, and His resurrection.
This took months of two services a day. The cameras were set up in a position that allowed you to see the crowd and did not focus on the missionaries...it is a teaching tool for A/G missionaries that allows one to see individual reaction to ministry.
They cheered when Moses crossed the sea and when David beat Goliath and when Jesus triumphantly was welcomed in Jerusalem. They became angry when Jesus was crucified...they expressed hopelessness when they found out they were also guilty of His death...even tore their clothes...and reacted in a celebration no superbowl champion has ever witnessed when they found out by believing they were free...it was amazing
Why introduce evolution...b/c the tribe had its own idea of the origin of man...something to do with a bird...and they were presenting several opposing viewpoints as wrong...it was just humorous to see the people from the area evolutionists claim as the beginning of man find that ridiculous...how ironic that the same people groups that National Geographic attempt to claim as the closest missing link to evolution thought that was the dumbest idea they had ever heard even in comparison to their great bird.
He truly using the simple things to confound the wise...
I hope that helped |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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| clicked the notification of followups, always forget to do that |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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| I don't know who was asking about your original post, Patrick. But I took what you wrote to mean they found evolution amusing compared to creation. But I'm glad someone asked you to explain, this account is amazing!! I especially liked the paragraph starting with "They cheered when Moses crossed...." I've never even heard of this operation, the taping of the tribe learning. How awesome!! THANK YOU for posting this! ~mike |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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Hal, thanks for your post, means a lot coming from you!
Denise, I love your posts. Your faith seems strong!
Gene, that is an excellent line of inquiry in response to their objection. "What difference does it make to their individual decision", indeed!! |
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| October 23, 2007 |
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| They did find it amusing for that reason Mike...and the message was sent ot me via a mychurch message...but I thought it was worth the explanation |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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Yeah, that was me that asked that. And I'm glad I did. Sweet ministry! Thanks for sharing publicly, WebYouthPastor. That reminds me: A friend who went to Urbana conference this year said that there are a ton of Christians in Africa with lots of time on their hands to evangelize, but no money for travel. American Christians have money but no time. It was suggested at Urbana to send money to Africa so African missionaries can be sent to America (and elsewhere). |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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| Imagine that. Africa evangelizing America. Beautiful! |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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| I like Eric's idea |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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There are millions of people who are still not reached by the glorious gospel even today, in nations like India, African nations. But they are dying without Christ. God will judge them according to their deeds and not according to their faith because He is a righteous judge. God has not revealed how they will suffer in the hell and how long they will suffer. But the hell is there for the devil and his angels and those who have chosen to accept the devil as their god.
Please have a look at http://propheticschool.googlepages.com/hell
Job Anbalagan |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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| Job that sounds good...but what is your biblical reference for that belief??? Please do not send a website. |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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| "God loves them more...God is just...He is pure love" Arlene, this is a spiritually mature perspective. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! ~mike |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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| Interestingly enough He called it the judgement...and not the sentencing. I think the fact that there are many people who slip into eternity w/out ever hearing the gospel should motivate us to spread it...and not worry about God's job... |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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This is a great writing. There is such a large world out there...and I really appreciated your comment about salvation in a person in a remote place might look totally different. Nonetheless, it is still God reaching down to man. What a miracle!
Blessings,
Forgiven |
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| October 24, 2007 |
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| Thanks Forgiven, I deeply appreciate hearing from you! ~mike |
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| October 25, 2007 |
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17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is. Excellent post and comments. now to put it into practice. |
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| October 29, 2007 |
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Webyouthpastor, Let us read Romans 2: 6, 12-14 2. Who will render to every man according to his deeds……. A person who has not got the opportunity to hear the gospel will be judged according to his deeds.
6 – 14 ‘’For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:’’ Those who have sinned without law shall also perish without law. Gentiles who are not bound by the law do by nature the things contained in the law. They are a law unto themselves. Those who die without hearing the gospel will be judged by God according to their deeds. There is no revelation in the Bible whether they will suffer eternally in the hell because our God is just and righteous. He judges the people through Jesus Christ only. However, they will perish. There is no revelation whether such perishing will be in the hell or not.
However, the Bible says that the sinners will land in the hell.
Recently, I came across a very good article on the hell which may be read at the following link:
http://propheticschool.googlepages.com/hell
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| October 31, 2007 |
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You sent a website!!! Just kidding...Job, I agree with your last post and your interpretation, I am familiar myself with those scriptures but many people want to believe that if a person hasn't heard of Jesus they will have no penalty. The Bible also says that all of creation witnesses to God's awesome power and no one is without excuse (Romans 1:20).
Like I previously stated, He calls it the judgement...I think we should be more focused on finding the lost than determining what will happen to those who don't get reached. |
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| October 31, 2007 |
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It is also important to consider that no man will be justified under the law...that all have sinned and fallen short...and that if any of us are guilty of breaking just a portion of the law we are guilty of all. So again, noone will be justified under any form of law. Only though Jesus Christ does the Bible say salvation is obtained. Is God then unjust for not allowing for human error...certainly not b/c the cross is the perfect allowance for human error. If we as believers truly understood our mission, the whole word would have been reached with the gospel a long time ago...and the failure to do so would be judged on our hands if not for the redeeming power of Jesus Christ.
To everyone who has asked that question, I have always responded "with what are you doing about it?" Most to their shame are doing nothing. |
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