What Happens to People Who Never Hear the Gospel? | Romans 1:18–24

What Happens to People Who Never Hear the Gospel?

Romans 1:18–24 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

Our Knowledge CONDEMNS us (Romans 1:18-24)

Romans 1:21–24 ESV

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

This verse does not hold to an inclusivist view that some may see God and believe, but rather shows that no man is justified by his own belief.

v. 21-23, "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him..."

This is not an open door for an inclusivist view, but rather points to the fact that all men are condemned by the light of knowledge that God has given them.

The scripture shows that our minds:

Romans 1:18: CONCEAL the Truth

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18). The mind actively conceals God’s truth, suppressing what He has made plain through creation, leading to unrighteousness and judgment.

Romans 1:21-23: CORRUPT Our Thinking

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking…” (Romans 1:21).

The mind becomes corrupted, turning from God’s truth to futile thinking, exchanging His glory for idols and embracing foolishness.

Ephesians 4:17-18: CLOUD our Thoughts

“…they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart” (Ephesians 4:18).

The mind is clouded by futility and ignorance, hardened against God’s truth, resulting in alienation from His life and light.

2 Timothy 2:25-26: Take us CAPTIVE

“…that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26).

The mind is captive to the devil’s snare, enslaved to sin and blinded to God’s truth, unable to break free without divine intervention.

This is the truth of the man in a distant steepe in Mongolia and it's true of the young man in VBS at Truitt. No one goes to hell for a lack of knowledge about God. They may not understand the intricacies of the gospel, but what they do know they reject for self-worship.

But if that's not bad enough, our problem is worse:

Our Hearts DAMN us (Romans 3:10-11)

Romans 3:10–11 ESV

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.

Not only that, but the bible says that not only do we reject what we know about God, but that we aren't good, none of us, and none of us even seek after God.

The problem isn't a hearing problem, it's not a knowledge problem, it's a heart problem. The person on an island who does not hear the gospel is not damned because he does not hear, he is damned because of his hearts:

Jeremiah 17:9-10: DECEIVE

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The heart, deceitful and wicked, damns us by leading us astray from God’s truth and righteousness, condemning us under His judgment.

Matthew 15:18-20: DEFILE

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:18).

The heart produces evil thoughts and actions, defiling us by giving rise to sin that corrupts and condemns our lives.

Genesis 6:5-7: DEPRAVED

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

The heart’s every inclination is only evil, showing a thoroughly corrupt and depraved state that invites God’s judgment.

Romans 8:7: DEFIANT

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).

The carnal heart is hostile to God, defiantly refusing to submit to His law, sealing its condemnation.

Ephesians 2:1-3: DEAD

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…” (Ephesians 2:1-2).

The heart, dead in trespasses, follows sinful desires, spiritually lifeless and damned apart from God’s grace.

Galatians 5:16-17: DIVIDED

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh…” (Galatians 5:17).

The heart is divided, torn between desiring good and succumbing to sin, trapping us in a cycle that leads to condemnation. Our hearts are driven by fleshly desires, warring against the Spirit.

1 John 2:16: DESIROUS

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:16).

The heart craves worldly lusts—flesh, eyes, and pride—pursuing selfish desires over God’s will.

Our problem is a heart problem.

Our Savior DELIVERS us (John 14:6)

John 14:6 clearly states that Jesus is the only way of salvation. There is no other, but that he delivers those who repent and turn to him.

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

You may not like that. That may trouble you. You may say "Pastor, I don't agree with you." But our Lord says there's one way to heaven and it's only through Him.

We are to GO TELL (Romans 10:14-15)

So what's the answer to the problem of people not hearing the gospel? It's us. We are to take the gospel to every creature, culture, and people on the earth.

As Dr. Adrian Rogers of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis once said, "The great question is not are they lost if they don't hear? The great question is, are we saved if we don't tell?"

If we believe what the Word says, and we believe that people who don't believe will go to hell, then we are called to share.

Romans 10:14–15 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

This truth is heavy, but it points us to the hope of Christ, who “seeks and saves the lost” (Luke 19:10).