Romans 1:18-25 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, (23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (24) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, (25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
The second response to those who would argue that God is unjust, because He arbitrarily decides to place individuals into nations which He knows will not allow them to be exposed to the preaching of the gospel, is in creation itself. For in the above passage of scripture, God tells us that He reveals Himself to men through His creation. But even though they recognise that God exists because of His creation that they see all around them, they choose not to glorify Him as God, neither are they thankful, but they become futile in their thoughts, by worshipping creatures rather than the creator, so that they are without excuse. And so, God still leaves Himself witness in all of those nations, so that all are without excuse. But nevertheless, not everyone in the nations where the gospel is not proclaimed are lost, for those who have never been exposed to the gospel and yet acknowledge God as their creator and have an earnest desire to know Him, God makes a way for them to hear the gospel message so that they may be saved. The example of the Ethiopian eunuch, hearing the gospel message through Philip’s preaching, is a case in point (Acts 8:26-39). For if you read the account, you will see that God specifically sent Philip to preach the message of the gospel to that man, who was clearly seeking God but lived in a country where he would never hear that salvation message preached.
Michael E.B. Maher
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