Those Who Do Not Know God

When the Lord returns, He will come “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

It may be understandable why those who refuse to obey the gospel will be punished. But what about those who never hear the gospel – those who do not know God? Is it really fair for God to punish people because they never heard? People have wondered this and even questioned God's justice.

The reality is that no one will be punished for not hearing the gospel. They will be punished for their sins. Paul wrote, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The remedy for this is the gospel, “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).

Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica that it is “only just” for God to punish certain people (2 Thessalonians 1:6). Rather than question God's sense of justice, let us take advantage of His grace in offering salvation and making its conditions known in His word. Let us also look for opportunities to share the gospel with others so that they might be able to avoid punishment for their sins.

Of First Importance

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Paul told the Corinthians that he had and was presently preaching the gospel to them (v. 1). The reason why it was important is because the gospel brings salvation (v. 2). It is “the power of God for salvation” (Rom. 1:16). In the preaching of the gospel, that which is “of first importance” is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

This is not to say that nothing else is important. We must obey the commands revealed in the gospel (Mt. 28:20). We are to follow the pattern revealed in the New Testament (2 Tim. 1:13). But the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the foundation of the gospel message.

We have the opportunity to be “reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Rom. 5:10). After being reconciled, we have the hope of being “united with Him...in the likeness of His resurrection” (Rom. 6:5). Salvation would not be possible without the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

We are to remember the death of Christ weekly as we partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26). But given the importance of this, we should remember it more than just one day a week. Let us think of these things often as we strive to serve the Lord.