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NASB | Proverbs 24:12 If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 24:12 If you [claim ignorance and] say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works? |
Subject: What about those who never hear gospel? |
Bible Note: Dear Popdzl, You began by pointing out that "God considers ALL things in judgement of our works." I think this answer would please people, But, could we say that to a person and remain true to God's Word? The Bible says "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin" (Rom 3:20). Jer 32:40 does'nt help either because it is a promise that God made through Jeremiah to the children of Israel and not to mankind in general. "Ro 1:19-20 tells that there is no excuse for the non-belief in the existence of God." I agree. But this serves only to confirm that mankind is a wicked and rebellious race that stubbornly suppresses the truth even when the evidence is all around them. Sticking to what I believe the Bible teaches, I would have to tell them that 1. there is no such thing as an "innocent" person anywhere. And 2. Unless God provides them with the means of salvation (grace and faith to believe the gospel) they will perish without God and without hope. Most will call this a hard and will say God is unjust. They will complain that if God made them this way "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" Paul answered this objection in Romans 9:21 "does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? I realize that this message is not a formula for chuch growth. It is indeed a hard doctrine. It takes away from man the power to control his own destiny and places him in a position of appealing to Christ to be mercifull and to save. Or laugh to scorn the "foolishnesss" of the gospel. John |