Without Excuse!
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Some will ask: What about those who never knew God’s Law? Why will they be held accountable? This is a natural question. While not the larger purpose here, it is important to understand that all who will perish before and during the Day of the Lord will get an opportunity for salvation after the Second Resurrection. The question remains—why will those who are ignorant of God’s Law be punished?
Two chapters in Romans reveal in a series of eye-opening verses why all mankind is without excuse—why all will be held accountable for breaking God’s Law, including those who never knew of it.
Start with three of the Commandments: “You shall not kill,” “You shall not steal” and “You shall not bear false witness” (Ex. 20:13, 15-16). Even those who do not know God understand it is wrong to lie, kill, steal, cheat people or commit adultery. Every society has instituted laws to uphold these things. Many once were willing to outlaw adultery, knowing it to be intrinsically wrong. Of course, such countries or states are fewer today.
Now a critical verse: “For when the Gentiles [or unbelievers], which have not the law [they do not have it explained to them, and could claim ignorance], do by nature the things contained in the law…” (Rom. 2:14). Men naturally recognize some things are evil!
The point expands in the next verse, “Which shows the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another” (Rom 2:15).
Man’s conscience bears witness to his every action! Everything one does is either “excused” or “accused” by his own mind. Most people have at least a rudimentary sense of right and wrong. Of course, some do lose this in time, but this would have been by choice. Anyone claiming he never knew “You shall not kill” is without excuse because “by nature” he knew it is wrong to kill. His “conscience” bore witness. The same with lying, stealing, adultery and cheating people.
Let’s make the point clear: Human beings will protest, “I never knew God’s Law”—but God exclaims, “Your conscience told you many things were wrong and you violated them anyway. Your mind ‘accused’ you at these moments. You are without excuse!”
Within the same context in Romans it says: “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile [unbeliever]” (Rom 2:9).
(Great) Tribulation and (equally great) anguish are coming! Mankind is without excuse. World punishment is necessary. But first another prophecy now being fulfilled is giving all people and all nations space to repent…