Rom. 10:8-17, Are the Heathen Really Lost?

Again, in the interest of “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), so that we gain proper “transferrable concepts” from the story of Moses, we are taking a brief aside.  Moses thought he didn’t need to go tell Israel because they wouldn’t believe him anyway.  So, God gave him miraculous powers as signs. 

But what if Moses did not go?  What if the people of Israel never heard the “good news” of God’s impending deliverance?  That’s a hypothetical question, of course, because Moses did go and declared God’s plan.  But it’s not hypothetical in terms of many who have lived in this world.  To our knowledge, many have died without ever hearing the good news of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  Are they excused in judgment, since they have not heard?  This question is hard for many people. In today’s post I would like to give you many reasons from Scripture that tell us that, yes, those who have not heard are still considered “lost” in God’s view.  From a practical point of view, we are hoping this will encourage us to be obedient to the great commission, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth!

Are all men lost, even if they have not heard the gospel or rejected its message?

1)    The extent of sinfulness proves all are lost.  All are considered sinners (Rom. 3:23).  The principle of Scripture is that one who sins bears the consequences, which is that they die.  “The soul that sins shall surely die (Ezek. 18:20).  And, yes, all have sinned.  …all have turned aside … there is none who does good, no, not one (Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-3).  Our connection to Adam makes us all sinners by birth (Rom. 5:12-14).  All are accountable to God.

2)    The extent of Christ's provision proves all are lost.  He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29).  He is the Savior of the world (Jn. 4:42).  He is the propitiation (atonement, one who appeases, 1 John 2:2).

3)    The extent of the gospel offer proves all are lost.  “Whosoever” believe in Christ, God’s Son, shall be saved (Jn. 3:1).  “Whosoever” calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13).  The gospel is God’s power for salvation “to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:1).

4)    The extent of the Great Commission proves all are lost.  Matthew says we are to make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19-20).  Mark says the gospel is to be preached to every creature (Mk. 16:15).  Luke says repentance and forgiveness is to be preached in His name to all nations (Lk. 24:47).  John says we are sent as the Father sent Me (Christ; see #2 above; as Christ was sent for the salvation of all, so we are sent to take the gospel to all).  Acts says we are to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8).

The world must hear.  How shall they hear without a preacher (Rom. 10:14)?