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.

Waiting Patiently

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

In the context surrounding this verse, Peter is talking about the coming day of the Lord. This judgment would not come as quickly as some thought it would. This caused some to mock the idea and believe it will never happen (2 Peter 3:3-4).

The length of time until the day of the Lord is not because God is slow about His promise. After all, "with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day" (2 Peter 3:8). God is not bound or regulated by time like we are. The wait until that day is not due to God's slowness, but God's patience.

Why is God being patient? Because He is "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." God is not just waiting to do something. He is waiting for us to do something. In delaying judgment, He is giving us time to repent and get our lives right before Him.

However, while we have time now, we will not always have time to repent. "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10).

We must not think lightly of God's patience or take it for granted. He has been gracious to give us the time we have to serve Him. Let us be ready to meet Him so we will not be caught unprepared.

PBT - September 2008

The September issue of Plain Bible Teaching is now online with the following articles:

• To the Law and to the Testimony! by Andy Sochor
• The Divinely Given Role of Civil Government by Andy Sochor
  
• The Sword of Christ by Andy Sochor
• The Great Commission: Mission Accomplished by Andy Sochor
  

You can read the new articles by clicking on the link below. I hope you may find the new material helpful to you.

Plain Bible Teaching