People Are Without Excuse

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:18-20 NIV

This block of Scripture answers a question that has periodically resurfaced since the day I received the gift of life: “Are those who don’t hear the name of Jesus Christ held accountable before God?”

I’ve always wanted the answer to be, “no.” I mean, after all, God is just and wouldn’t or couldn’t do such a thing. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t be right. These people have no choice. However, according to Scripture they are “without excuse.”

God chose to reveal himself through the work of his hands, that is, the beauty and majesty of creation. He placed the starts in the sky in a particular order and design. He provides radiance for the sun. He crafts the unique patterns of each individual snowflake. He filled the world with a million different colors. He created us, you and I. Yet, in spite of all this, in spite of everything he has done and continues to do, we reject him.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21 NIV

It becomes easier to ignore who God is and what he has done with each passing day. Think about it! Believers struggle with faith; how much more difficult it must be for those that reject God! It is a stumbling block that we continually trip over and over and over again. This is why faith is the foundation of Christianity. Good works are simple tasks, but faith challenges us to believe in the invisible God, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Father.

We have no excuses. We are all accountable in the eyes of God.

The need to share his gospel message is urgent. Silence is not golden.

Read a similar article, "Silence is Golden, Right?" here.