What About Those Who Never Hear The Gospel?
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, July 27, 2026 (Donate)
Preliminary Comments
Because we are sinners living in a sin-cursed world, every
person stands guilty before our infinitely holy Creator. Even one sin is enough
to make us accountable before God's perfect justice, whether it was Adam's
first act of rebellion or our own personal sins (Genesis 2:17-19; Romans 3:23;
James 2:10).
Scripture teaches that after death comes judgment (Hebrews
9:27). For those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life, that
judgment marks the beginning of an eternal separation from God under His
righteous wrath (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15).
The Power Of Christ
For those of us who are in Christ, however, there is no fear
of God's eternal wrath (Romans 8:1). The reason is that Jesus Christ-God the
Son-entered history, took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, and willingly
died in the place of sinners (John 1:1-3, 14; Philippians 2:5-8; 2 Corinthians
5:21).
On the Cross, Christ bore the punishment that we deserve.
The infinite Son of God satisfied the righteous wrath of the infinite Father
against sin (Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 3:24-26; 1 Peter 2:24). Because Christ is
eternal, His once-for-all sacrifice is sufficient to save all of us who
believes in Him (Hebrews 10:10-14).
Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and when we receive Him as
Lord and Savior, His perfect righteousness is credited-or imputed-to us (2
Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9). On Judgment Day, believers stand clothed in
Christ's righteousness rather than their own sin. Because of Christ's finished
work, we will enjoy God's presence and His everlasting blessings forever (John
3:16-18; Revelation 21:1-7).
Those who refuse Christ choose instead to bear the penalty
of their own sin. Since finite sinners can never fully satisfy the infinite
justice of God, their punishment continues forever (Matthew 25:46; Revelation
20:15).
Getting To The Heart Of The Issue
God commands all people everywhere to repent, and He
patiently calls sinners to Himself (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Peter 3:9). This leads to
a question that many people ask. In fact, even my own father once asked me:
"What about those who never
hear the Gospel? Do they have a legitimate excuse?"
For instance, those who live on remote islands or secluded places. Jesus answered this question indirectly through the Great
Commission. Before ascending into heaven, He commanded His followers to go into
all the world, make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that He had commanded
(Matthew 28:18-20). Scripture teaches the importance of preaching the Gospel
and sending faithful preachers (Romans 10:13-17).
Does this mean that those who never hear the Gospel receive
a free pass? Scripture answers, "No."
Romans 1 plainly declares that no one is without excuse
because God has revealed His Godhead through His creation. His eternal power
and divine nature are clearly seen in what He has made. Although sinful
people suppress this truth in unrighteousness, they still know that God
exists in their heart of hearts (Romans 1:18-20).
Likewise, God has written His moral law on the human heart.
Every person's conscience bears witness that right and wrong exist, and our own
thoughts know when we sin (Romans 2:14-15). Since all have sinned and fall
short of God's glory, every sinner stands guilty before God's perfect
holiness (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).
Three important passages are often overlooked when
discussing this subject:
- "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44, NKJV)
- "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." (John 12:32, NKJV)
- "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, NKJV)
These passages reveal several important truths. The Father
draws sinners to Christ (John 6:44), and Christ declares that through His
crucifixion, resurrection and ascension that He draws all people to Himself
(John 12:32). Therefore, no one can claim that God has given them absolutely no
witness of Himself. Every person receives revelation through creation,
conscience, and God's gracious drawing power.
Yet many suppress that truth rather than respond to it
(Romans 1:18). Their rejection of God's revelation will be part of the evidence
presented against them on Judgment Day.
All people are sinners. All know, at some level, that there
is a Creator. All possess a conscience that testifies to God's moral law. And
Christ draws people to Himself. Therefore, no one has a legitimate excuse
before God.
Suppose someone responds positively to the revelation God
has already given and genuinely seeks after Him. Is it too difficult for the
all-knowing and all-powerful God to ensure that person receives a clearer
presentation of the Gospel? Not at all. Scripture records numerous examples of
God providentially bringing His truth to sincere seekers, including the
Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39), Cornelius (Acts 10), and Lydia (Acts
16:13-15).
God is fully capable of sending a missionary, directing an
evangelist, arranging circumstances, or otherwise ensuring that those whom He
is drawing hear the message of Christ. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord
(Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37).
At the same time, Scripture reminds us that the natural
inclination of fallen humanity isn't to seek God but to suppress His truth and
love darkness rather than light (Romans 3:10-12; John 3:19-20). This is why the
Church must faithfully proclaim the Gospel to every nation.
Even in the first century, the Gospel spread rapidly
throughout the known world by the power of the Holy Spirit (Colossians 1:5-6,
23, Romans 1:8; Romans 16:26).). Today, that same Gospel continues to save
sinners from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation through the faithful
proclamation of God's Word and the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:16;
Revelation 7:9-10) through the drawing power of God.
Rather than questioning God's justice, let’s look at this from
a different perspective—Christians should marvel at His mercy. God owes
salvation to no one, yet He graciously offers eternal life through His Son. Our
responsibility is to obey Christ's command to proclaim the Gospel to all
nations, trusting that the Judge of all the earth will always do what is right
(Matthew 28:18-20; Genesis 18:25).
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing
evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as
a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers
News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a
Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a
Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and
running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic
materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a
grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar,
Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.
His love of science
was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one
year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and
scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over
25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.
