View source for Without Excuse!

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Some will ask: What about those who  never knew God&rsquo;s Law? Why will&nbsp;<em>they</em>&nbsp;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&nbsp;<em>ignorant</em>&nbsp;of God&rsquo;s Law be  punished?<br>
  
Two chapters in Romans reveal in a  series of eye-opening verses why all mankind is without excuse—why&nbsp;<em>all</em>&nbsp;will  be held accountable for breaking God&rsquo;s Law, including those who never knew of  it.<br>
  
Start with three of the Commandments:  &ldquo;You shall not kill,&rdquo; &ldquo;You shall not steal&rdquo; and &ldquo;You shall not bear false  witness&rdquo; (Ex. 20:13,&nbsp;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.<br>
  
Now a critical verse: &ldquo;For when the  Gentiles [or unbelievers], which&nbsp;<em>have not the law</em>&nbsp;[they do not  have it explained to them, and could claim ignorance], do&nbsp;<em>by nature</em>&nbsp;the  things contained in the law…&rdquo; (Rom. 2:14). Men naturally recognize some things are evil!<br>
  
The point expands in the next verse,  &ldquo;Which shows the work of the law written in their hearts, their <em>conscience  also bearing witness</em>, and their thoughts the mean while&nbsp;<em>accusing</em>&nbsp;or  else&nbsp;<em>excusing</em>&nbsp;one another&rdquo; (Rom 2:15).<br>
  
Man&rsquo;s conscience bears witness to his  every action! Everything one does is either &ldquo;excused&rdquo; or &ldquo;accused&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;You shall not kill&rdquo; is without excuse because &ldquo;by  nature&rdquo; he knew it is wrong to kill. His &ldquo;<em>conscience</em>&rdquo; bore witness. The  same with lying, stealing, adultery and cheating people.<br>
  
Let&rsquo;s make the point clear: Human  beings will protest, &ldquo;I never knew God&rsquo;s Law&rdquo;—but God exclaims, &ldquo;Your  conscience told you many things were wrong and you violated them anyway. Your  mind &lsquo;accused&rsquo; you at these moments. You are without excuse!&rdquo;<br>
  
Within the same context in Romans it  says: &ldquo;Tribulation&nbsp;and&nbsp;anguish, upon&nbsp;<em>every</em>&nbsp;soul  of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile [unbeliever]&rdquo;  (Rom 2:9).<br>
  
(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…<br>