Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 2:16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 2:16 on that day when, as my gospel proclaims, God will judge the secrets [all the hidden thoughts and concealed sins] of men through Christ Jesus. [Eccl 12:14] |
Bible Question: I dont know much about the bible, maybe that's why im so confused! But here is my question, I know that Jesus died for our sins and that we need to accept him as our savior to enter Heaven. But what about all the people before His time, were they saved? And how where they if they still had their sins on their souls. I believe that i do need to accept him and i do, I just dont understand about before him and why did God decide to send him down to earth to die for our sins? Why was it necessary? What needed to change? Was all these souls going to hell and God wanted to do something about it? |
Bible Answer: Carrieb: All persons who lived and died before Christ was born on Earth will have no excuse (Romans 1:19-21)"For since the creation of the world His attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks..." The people of old had enough knowledge from God's Creation and God's revealed glory divine attributes to know that there was a God. They also knew that God would not want them to do what was wrong (e.g. Romans 1:23 exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures (e.g eagles, horses, cows, snakes, divine kings, etc) or live with a depraved mind (Roman 1:29) "being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malive, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful..." (People are still doing these things). On whether those of old were "saved," will really depend on the coming day of judgement. Per Romans 2:26, "...God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ." All the secret thoughts and deeds done in darkness by all persons, today and those who died long ago, will be judged through Jesus Christ. Mankind was in such a hopeless condition, being bogged down in our own sins, that only God could save us. The Father so loves the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16). His Son Jesus was born and lived a sin-free life. When He died on the cross all of our sins were "placed" (inputed) on Him who had no sin. He, a guiltless man, died for us, the guilty. The Sheperd laid down His life for the sheep. It was necessary to save us so we could have a loving relationship with God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit forever rather than let us continue on in our sins and eventual judgment. Christ has paid the price for our salvation. All other religions are some form of working your way to heaven. By being more good than bad, you will go to heaven. But sin is so serious that a single sin will prevent a person from going to heaven. We don't see the seriousness of sin today. Unloving, boastful and greedy thoughts and actions are pretty common worldwide, in every country, society, family and person. Sin cannot be overlooked. Sin demands punishment. Yes, God wanted to do something about it and sent His Son. If you ask Him to forgive your sins, accepting His death on the cross for you, you will be saved. (John 3:16) (John 10:7-9. "I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Carrieb, if you have time, read through the Book of John and ask God to show you who Jesus is more clearly. Merry Christmas to you and God bless ! |