A question arises concerning what will happen to those who have never heard the Gospel and have never had an opportunity to trust in Jesus. Often people who believe in and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord have family or friends who have not heard, and the thought of not being with them after this life causes great concern.

While the Bible does not answer this question directly, there are many things the Bible does say to help us understand this matter. First of all, we must keep in mind that the Bible is clear that Jesus is the only way to God. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6) It is in Jesus that we have forgiveness of sins and salvation. “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, …He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10b-12). The question comes again, “But what about all those who lived before Jesus came; how are they saved?”

In Genesis, the first book in the Bible, we are told that, following man’s disobedience and sin against God’s instruction, God promised He would send a Savior who would pay the penalty for man’s sin and restore man’s relationship with God. Years passed before God, according to His time table, sent Jesus to be the Savior of mankind. Although much time passed, God did not forget His promise to save sinful man and make a way for man to return to God. What God promises He will do. What God desires and requires from every human who lives is to believe God and trust Him. Those who lived before Jesus the Savior came were saved the same way as those who lived after Jesus came. They all believed in God’s promise. Those who lived before Jesus trusted that God would do what He said, provide a Savior who would pay the penalty for their sin. Those who live after Jesus came understand who the Savior is and trust in Him and what He did, dying in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. The Bible is clear; Jesus is the Savior of all.

The question still remains, “What about those who don’t know about God and His promise?” The Bible says that God is not willing that any be eternally lost or condemned. He is a God of love, which is seen by His promise and how patient He has been with sinful mankind.

The Bible says many things about what God has done to point men to Himself. “He has set eternity in the hearts of mankind” (Ecc. 3:11b). This means that God has placed in man a sense that there is more for us than simply this life. To deny what God has placed in our inner being is to deny God’s plan and purpose for us. It is like saying, “I don’t believe You God. You are not telling me the truth.” There is life beyond this life. Another thing God has done to point men to Himself is to show His glory through the things He has created. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands” (Ps. 19:1). “What may be known about God is plain to them (man) because God has made it plain to them” (Rom. 1:19). God wants us to know Him as almighty, powerful, loving. He wants us to have the joy of praising Him. That’s why He created us, so we can know Him and enjoy who He is. But because of unbelief and a mind set on our own interests and desires, the Bible says, “They (mankind) exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever praised” (Rom. 1:25). When we do not acknowledge God as our Creator who has given us everything, and we refuse to praise Him and love Him, we sin against God. He will not force anyone to bow before Him, but gently calls us to Himself to know and love Him. If we refuse, we will be eternally separated from Him by our own choice.

Based on the things that God has clearly made known to man, He will judge man’s response. If someone has longed to know God and has sought for God, He will reveal Himself to that person. The more He reveals Himself, the more we must show our trust in Him by being obedient to what He says we must do. There are many stories in the Bible that clearly show this to be true. One example is from Acts 10. Cornelius was a God-fearing man who did not know God personally or the way of salvation. God sent a messenger to Cornelius and told him what he should do. Cornelius did what he was told and God gave him greater understanding until he came to accept the way of salvation in Jesus.

When a person responds to the truth God gives, God will give more understanding. If a person refuses to act on the truth God has revealed, that person will move into darkness and be blind to the truth. Again, God will judge us by what each of us does with the truth He reveals to us. His judgment is right and just.

(Pastor Jim Gayle and his wife Margaret served as missionaries in South East Asia for 24 years; in retirement, they are now ministering to international students in their home state of Texas.)