Every person will face God on judgment day. Whenever that topic comes up, I am usually asked something like, "What about remote African tribes that will never hear about Jesus?" The concerned questioner is really wondering, How could a loving Lord send an ignorant person to hell? In other words, How can it be fair to condemn those who have never heard the gospel?

To understand how God judges, we should recognize two truths about Him. First, He's not limited. While whole groups still have no Scripture in their language, God always reaches individuals whose hearts are open to knowing Him. Men like Abraham and Moses had no spiritual training or Scriptures, and the Lord spoke to them.

Second, God reveals Himself to all people, whether or not they have access to the Bible. He demonstrates His power and attributes through creation. He also programs our conscience to understand the basic distinctions between right and wrong.

For those blessed to hear the gospel at some point, Jesus Christ is the greatest revelation of God in their life. When people stand before the Father, He'll judge them on three criteria from the amount of truth that each has been exposed, to how many opportunities there were to accept the truth and share it with others; and what was done with those opportunities. The believer's responsibility is to reach as many as possible with the gospel so that no one need ask, "What about those who've never heard of Jesus?"

Week Four Day Six: Dangerous Beauty, originally uploaded by Tessaberry.

Pthalo blue doesn't come across the computer screen well, but that's the color I use for Bess's eyes.

In manycountries, the gospel can't be shared freely. Repressive governmentsand religions stop Christians from telling others about Jesus. However,God is mightier than oppression. Where human messengers can't carry thegood news, the Lord is revealing Himself to those whose hearts areopen.

First, Timothy chapter two says God wants everyone to come to a savingknowledge of Him. Romans chapter 1 shows He is holy and just, but Hecan't overlook man's sinful condition, which renders all guilty andwithout excuse. He will not admit people into heaven unless they'veacknowledged their need for a Savior.

But, our Father is also fair and merciful. He makes Hispresence known to every person so each one may choose to recognize Hissovereignty. The Lord does this by revealing Himself to all mankind intwo ways: through conscience and creation.

First, He has imbedded His basic moral guidelines in the humanconscience. In other words, at some point in life, every sane personhas an innate sense that certain actions are right and others arewrong.

Second, the Creator displays His power and divine nature through whatHe has made. The complexity, variety, order, and beauty of the worldall point to an intelligent Designer. We can't pinpoint every methodthe Lord uses to reveal Himself. Yet we can be sure nothing will stopHim from reaching out to people who follow conscience and creation tothe logical conclusion… the existence of a loving, sovereign God.