What is sufficient for salvation?

Thanks to Danny on www.allpossibleworlds.blogspot.com for raising this question. As he worded it, “What is required for salvation? The answer I have always heard growing up is that one must believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, He died and rose for my sins, and I that I must accept Him into my heart. This seems to make sense until one reads Romans 1:18-20…”

Below are my thoughts on the matter (WARNING: it might take you five whole minutes to read it!)

First, what we know with certainty from the Bible:

What the Bible says about man:

· All people inherit Adam’s sin and are therefore conceived and born sinful (Psa 51:5, Rom. 3:12).

· The unbeliever is “lost,” “blind,” “dead,” and a “slave to sin.” For this reason he does not and cannot seek God (Rom. 8:7).

· Those who reject the truth will be condemned to an eternity of torment in hell (Mat. 25:41, Rom. 2:8-9).

What the Bible says about God:

· God has revealed Himself to mankind in many ways (creation, burning bush, dreams/visions, pillars of fire/cloud, shekinah glory in the Temple), but in these last days He has revealed Himself to us in Jesus (Heb. 1:1-2)

· God is merciful, compassionate, and abounding in steadfast love (Psa. 86:15).

· God wants all people to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9).

· God is just (2 The. 1:5-10) and for this reason will judge sin and unbelief.

What the Bible says about salvation:

· God’s judgment of all people’s sin has fallen on Jesus (Isa. 53:6, 1 Pet. 2:24).

· Salvation is found in Jesus only (Acts 4:12).

· Salvation is for those who receive Jesus by faith (Eph. 2:8-9).

· Life on the New Earth is reserved for those who are saved (Rev. 21:27).

This is what we know with certainty. Now, what about people who have never heard about God’s revelation in Jesus? Will they be saved or not?

In Romans 10:17-18 the apostle Paul asks himself this very question. Speaking about Jews of his time, Paul says, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear?”

If you didn’t know what Paul said next, you might expect him to say, “They didn’t hear, so they aren’t accountable for rejecting God,” but that’s not what he says. Surprisingly, he says, “Of course they did: ‘Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.’”

Paul answers his question by quoting Psalm 19, which begins “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (19:1-4).

In other words, God has revealed Himself in more ways than Jesus. One of the many and various ways He has revealed Himself is creation. Those who don’t recognize His revelation as Creator and respond by worshiping Him will be held accountable.

Paul also spoke about this in Romans 1:20, where he says, “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 men are without excuse.”

Paul is clear: God has revealed Himself to all people as the world’s Creator so as to leave people no excuse for rejecting Him.

Having said that, the question remains: “What about those who recognize God’s revelation in creation and worship Him alone as the Creator, but have not heard about Jesus?”

Some have concluded that God only holds people accountable for the revelation they have received. This opinion is very appealing and many think Paul seems to imply this (and I’m willing to leave this door open), but I don’t think Scripture explicitly teaches this. Therefore we shouldn’t either. That, however, doesn’t mean we throw up our hands in despair and think no more about it.

Because we are uncertain about the salvation of people who have not heard of Jesus, shouldn’t we passionately and energetically pursue and support mission work around the globe with our prayers and our money? Shouldn’t our uncertainty drive our mission?

Even more than asking “What about those who don’t know Jesus?” We should be asking “What about those of us who do know Jesus?” What are we doing with our knowledge?

We might not know the answer to every question, but we do know the question that every one of us must answer: “Can I stand idly by while millions live and die without knowing Jesus?”

Let none hear you idly saying,
“There is nothing I can do,”
While the multitudes are dying
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth,”
Here am I, send me, send me!”