![]() ![]() In times past (prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection), people were saved by humbling themselves before God. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water” (Revelation 14:7). ![]() In fact, the Bible speaks of a future time when God will proclaim the following “eternal gospel” to every nation, tribe, language, and people on Earth: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Even the person who never hears about Jesus is accountable for humbling himself before God. How does one respond positively to these things? Well, if there is a God and we are sinners, then we need to humble ourselves before him. So the two basics of revelation from God are: (1) that God exists and (2) that we humans are sinners. ![]() Therefore, when Nick talks behind someone else’s back, he has disobeyed the moral standard within his heart, thus proving he is a sinner. For example, if in his heart Nick believes it is wrong for others to talk behind his back, then that is a law within his heart. The Bible tells us that even people who don’t have that law nonetheless have their own “law” - their own moral standard within their hearts (Romans 2:14–15). But what about people who do not know the Old Testament law? Who has perfectly loved God or their neighbor? Therefore, “through the law we become conscious of sin” (Romans 3:20). The Old Testament law proves that we’re sinful. Second, we’re all accountable for knowing that we are sinners. Even those who haven’t heard of Jesus are accountable for knowing that God is. The complexity of the world around us tells us that there is a God (even though people can suppress that knowledge in their heart). “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). First, all people are accountable to know that God exists. The Bible tells us that there are some basics. God doesn’t expect people to respond to something they’ve never heard. If a person cannot respond to the good news of Jesus dying on their behalf (because they haven’t heard that good news), what are they accountable to respond to?. This idea is expressed by the following passage: “Sin is not taken into account when there is no law” (Romans 5:13). But he does hold us accountable for what we have heard. In fact, that’s what the Bible tells us: “How shall they believe in him whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14). If someone lived in China prior to Christ’s death and resurrection, how could they be expected to believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of their sins? Obviously, they could not believe in something they had never heard. The same would be true for people today who have never heard of Jesus. How much light has a person received from God? Whatever that is, that is what they’re accountable for. In other words, people are held accountable for what they know. A way of answering your question might be to answer the following: “How were people saved prior to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection?” People then were saved by responding positively to God’s revelation. ![]()
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