I recently heard this saying
Excuses are like armpits, everyone has them and they all stink.
Ignorance is one excuse that people try to use, or at least try to use for others. How many times have you heard somebody say, how is it fair that God will judge people in deepest darkest Africa? They’re never heard about him.
These people are saying that for people in deepest darkest Africa, ignorance is an excuse not to be judged. The Bible says something different here.
“they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness”
God works through people’s consciences so that even those who have not heard God’s law, have it written on their hearts. This is why people have an instinctive right and wrong.
So what does this mean?
“This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.”
God will one day judge everyone through Jesus, and it doesn’t matter whether you have heard it or not, God will judge you, and all will fall short of the perfect mark that he sets.
Thankfully, we can be perfect before God through what Jesus has done on the cross. So we need to follow Jesus and live for him.
“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
What about people in deepest darkest Africa? Let’s try to tell them about Jesus, and pray that they will be shaped by God’s law on their hearts.
What about you? You’ve heard about Jesus, it’s your move.
We can’t be sure of many things in this world (except death and taxes), but I think it is amazing how much we can be sure of God!