Hey Pastor John,
I have had a question in my mind for a while now and I was wondering if the Bible or the Spirit had an answer for it.
Do people who have never known the existence of Jesus have any hope of salvation? I’m referring to extreme removal from a religious belief other than whatever is their cultural beliefs. Example: Native Americans before colonization and tribes in Africa or Asia where there was no known spread of Jesus.
Since Jesus loves humans and died for them; what happens to the people who never had the opportunity to know about him? This also can be asked about babies or young children who can’t know God.
I know Jesus died for all, but how does that aspect work?
Much obliged,
Jonathan S.
=========
Hi Jonathan,
Almost everyone who thinks seriously on holy things wonders about this issue. The Bible has nothing directly to say about it, other than general statements, such as “commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
When dealing with such unanswered, and perhaps unanswerable, questions, it is good to remember what Moses told Israel: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever” (Dt. 29:29).
Thankfully, God has revealed so much that we can learn, so that we can occupy ourselves with those things our entire lives! And we can throughout our lives rest in the sure knowledge that whatever God does in the Final Judgment with babies that have died, or the mentally ill, or the others you mentioned, it will be perfectly just.
And after all, isn’t the real challenge for us who have matured and have sound minds to take advantage of what God has revealed to us? If we do that, and leave the unknown to God, we will be happy and blessed.
Thank you for the question. I hope my answer helps.
Pastor John