Hello brothers and sisters;
I was asked by someone about Christianity and in particular, what happens to someone who may be living in a remote area, or a deserted island, and they never heard the Gospel. Would he/she be condemned?
I immediately remembered the verse where God prepares us what to say.
1 Peter 3:15-17, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
In my own words, I told him I never underestimate God's work, and would not replace it with my own finite thinking. But I told him that I believe before Jesus returns, God will send His servants on all four corners of the earth to share the gospel, or, God will reveal His light even in the most secluded places, or, God's agape love is sending that Shepherd after the one lost sheep. On and on an on from the Bible.
He has attended Catholic church all his life, was an altar boy and today serves on the Eucharist committee (I'll explain later.) But he did admit he doesn't read the Bible. After sharing my faith and what I believe regarding those who are secluded he quickly refuted me by standing with his own opinion, "it's not the person's fault they live secluded and he also included that if this person is "good" and worshiped "another god" from his/her heart, God would give him/her consolation and reward them with salvation."
It's not just the ones who are secluded. There are many who live in populated areas and have access to the gospel but they don't have listening ears to hear. Go figure.
I felt this was a ripe opportunity to witness to him. I understood his opinion. After our discussion I asked him to hold onto his opinion and take the time to read some Scripture that I jotted down for him.
Those of you who have been posed this question, I'm interested in knowing, how did you respond?
God bless you all and your families.
I was asked by someone about Christianity and in particular, what happens to someone who may be living in a remote area, or a deserted island, and they never heard the Gospel. Would he/she be condemned?
I immediately remembered the verse where God prepares us what to say.
1 Peter 3:15-17, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
In my own words, I told him I never underestimate God's work, and would not replace it with my own finite thinking. But I told him that I believe before Jesus returns, God will send His servants on all four corners of the earth to share the gospel, or, God will reveal His light even in the most secluded places, or, God's agape love is sending that Shepherd after the one lost sheep. On and on an on from the Bible.
He has attended Catholic church all his life, was an altar boy and today serves on the Eucharist committee (I'll explain later.) But he did admit he doesn't read the Bible. After sharing my faith and what I believe regarding those who are secluded he quickly refuted me by standing with his own opinion, "it's not the person's fault they live secluded and he also included that if this person is "good" and worshiped "another god" from his/her heart, God would give him/her consolation and reward them with salvation."
It's not just the ones who are secluded. There are many who live in populated areas and have access to the gospel but they don't have listening ears to hear. Go figure.
I felt this was a ripe opportunity to witness to him. I understood his opinion. After our discussion I asked him to hold onto his opinion and take the time to read some Scripture that I jotted down for him.
Those of you who have been posed this question, I'm interested in knowing, how did you respond?
God bless you all and your families.