March 4, 2013
We are thinking deep thoughts about those who die having never heard the gospel or even the name of Jesus. Are they still accountable to God for their sin? Will they stand shoulder to shoulder with all who have heard the gospel over and over and yet rejected it? The answer to both questions is “yes”? The “never heard” group is responsible because God has been faithful to reveal sufficient information as to His existence.
In our mock courtroom scene, the accused stand before God’s great judge, the Lord Jesus Christ. A plea of ignorance has been voiced, and the fairness of God’s character has been brought into question. Two witnesses, “Creation,” and “Conscience,” have given adequate proof that even those who have never heard the gospel have received adequate proof that God exists.
Now God’s final witness is called to the stand, “Continuous Care.” Paul and Barnabas are winding down their first church planting adventure in Asia Minor. Paul became aware of a crippled man’s need. He commanded the cripple to stand up. Instantly upon obeying, he was healed! Amazing! The people who witnessed the miracle thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods. Paul’s answer gives voice to God’s witness of “Continuous Care.”
“We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:15-17)
God has made His presence known through His faithful care of everyone – every nation and every language group – throughout all of human history. God, through what we call “natural laws,” provides food and shelter for all. Year after year God makes the seasons available, both to those who believe and those will not believe in Him.
Jesus said, “It rains on the just and the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). In fact, many times the rain seems to fall more on those who do not believe than on those who do. Some attribute this activity to the work of “Mother Nature.” They say that it is all the product of natural evolutionary processes. Others quietly recognize these faithful events as coming from the hand of a living God. Whatever position one holds doesn’t affect the changing of the seasons. God just faithfully keeps on giving. God feeds, shelters, and heals the bodies of every false cult, atheist, and every religious sect around the world and has done so for generations.
God’s continuous care becomes His voice to everyone – “I am here and I am not silent. My word says that I have loved you, and I have expressed that love through the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. I have made Him who knew no sin to become sin for you. If you will hear His message and believe in Jesus Christ, you will be saved.”
Regardless of what anyone ever does concerning the truth of Jesus Christ, God’s faithful witnesses continue to speak – His magnificent creation, His law placed in the heart, and His continuous care. They warn of a coming day when God will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He has given ample proof to all that He raised Him from the dead.