Jesus said, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). That means there is no other way by which one may be saved. It is only through Jesus Christ. He, Himself said it! Often the question is asked, “What about those who never so much as heard of Jesus, are they condemned to hell even though they never heard the Gospel?” Perhaps, you posed this very question yourself. Here is a question that may lead to the answer: is God unequal? Does He pick some while rejecting others by not giving everyone the opportunity to hear? Of course not! “Well, what about those in the middle of the jungles of Africa, who never so much as met a missionary? How are they going to get saved?” Perhaps, there’s a notion that needs to change along with the question, because it totally misses the heart of God. Perhaps the question should be, “why wouldn’t God send a missionary there?
God is very intentional about the words He uses. In our opening verse, Jesus said, “I am the Way,” making it clear there’s only One, but notice the next part of the declaration: “I am the Truth.” Truth is a key to salvation. Only those who desire the truth, find it. Only those who desire the true God of the Bible, find Him. A person who prefers to believe a lie, will not believe the truth. That means they cannot find it, even when it’s clearly spoken directly to him. Why? Because he rejected it. Remember, what we believe is based on our decision to believe. “Don’t confuse me with the truth, I already made up my mind!”
Romans 1:18-24 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore, God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Notice it verse 24 says, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” People exchange the truth for a lie all the time. In essence, when a person does not want to know God, he is rejecting Christ. We even see it in places where the Gospel has been freely preached. Have you ever experienced someone shutting you out, or even walking away the moment you began to share Jesus with him or her? Why then, would the Lord send someone to those who refuse to hear?
Our Father seeks everyone in the entire world.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. “Anyone” is all inclusive. Jesus knocks at everyone’s door, but He only enters where the door is opened to Him. He does not kick it open. Holy Spirit goes throughout the entire planet to draw people to God (read John 16:7-11). You, yourself did not seek God, He sought you. You love Him because He first loved you (see 1 John 4:19). There are examples in the Bible that prove this point. One is the Ethiopian Eunuch to whom the angel of the Lord sent Phillip, found in Acts 8:26-40. He was seeking the true meaning of the Scripture passage found in Isaiah 53:7-8. He was seeking the truth, so the Lord sent Phillip. In Acts 10, an angel was dispatched to Cornelius the Centurion who feared God. He was told to send for Peter who would tell him what he ought to do (see Acts 10:1-48). What was the result? He and his household was saved. His journey to salvation included a divine encounter. Even today, there are numerous accounts of people who had visitations from Jesus, Himself. They received Jesus without a missionary in those cases. Let’s be clear, we all are called to make disciples, but God will go to whatever length necessary, short of violating someone’s will, to save him or her. If someone goes to hell, it is because they rejected the Truth to begin with. It’s not on God; it’s on him or her. Look at His patience with humanity. 2 Peter 3:9 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. “Any,” “all” and “everyone,” means any, all and everyone! God is faithful, He will make sure that those who want the Truth, will be able to receive the Truth! Jesus put it this way:
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7:7).
