Romans 2- The Desperate Need of the Gospel

Let's be clear on this next portion of Romans 2. Those that have not heard the gospel will stand condemned. We must feel the seriousness and urgency so we will take up our calling to make disciples with haste.

"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secret through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares" (Romans 2:14-16).

Paul notes that even those that do not have the law do things required by the law because the law is written on their hearts (vs. 14-16). So even a people group in the jungle with no Bible will stand condemned on the basis of their own moral compass (the law written on their hearts by the finger of the Almighty), or as a previous entry noted, by their tape recorders. I hope you see the need for the Gospel!?! The Bible clearly says, "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law" (vs. 12). We must conclude that all people groups that have ever existed, stand under the curse of sin, the curse of Adam (Romans 5). And, all people groups are in desperate need of liberation, by and through the work of the second Adam, Jesus Christ (Romans 5).

How should this effect us? Well, by very nature, it begs us to take action. The fact that we sit idly by as many of our friends and coworkers race toward everlasting destruction is sin on our part. We cannot remain cool or calm regarding others that do not know Christ. We are compelled to share. Not because we want to convert or win over others to our way of thinking, but because out of great love and compassion, we want to rescue them from torment and deliver them into a everlasting kingdom of joy.

This passage should also inform our world missions. On the local front we are concerned for those that do not profess Christ. But, there are presentations available. We live in a Church saturated society. The gospel, if you don't know, is being preached in Beloit, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas. There are Disciples of Jesus in our midst that are making Him known. However, there are places where there is no visible Church of Jesus Christ. There are places where the gospel has not penetrated the darkness and it is our duty to pray, give, and sacrifice (even our own lives if necessary) to see the Gospel reach those places and those people.