THE PROBLEM OF THE “INNOCENT NATIVE”

MATTHEW 9:10–13

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick”

(Matthew 9:12).

We often hear the question, “What happens to the poor, innocent native in Africa, who has never had the opportunity to respond to the gospel?” My first answer to this query sometimes shocks people, but it is still true: “Nothing happens to the poor innocent native who has never heard the gospel. Innocent people do not need salvation.”

No innocent people

The next question, however, is this: Are there any innocent people anywhere in the world?

The clear answer of the Bible to this question is that no human being is perfectly obedient to God. We recognize this in our common talk when we say, “Nobody’s perfect,” or “To err is human.” The New Testament says that “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10).

When we talk about innocence and guilt, we are speaking in legal terms. A person is judged guilty when he transgresses some law. But we must ask what law could these people who have never heard of Christ and the Bible be guilty of breaking? After all, the New Testament says that where there is no law, there is no guilt (Romans 5:13).

The answer, according to Romans 2:15, is that God’s law is written on the heart of every person. We have built into us a sense of right and wrong. The Creator reveals inwardly to every one of His creatures these basic moral principles. No one keeps them, so no one is innocent.

All men by nature reject God

Beyond this, the Bible tells us that the heavens declare God’s glory, and that there is no place where that witness is not heard (Psalm 19). All men know God and are without excuse when they reject Him. Thus, God’s wrath is against them. God is not angry with innocent people, but “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18).

CORAM DEO

When we understand that all people are without excuse before God, and that apart from Jesus Christ there can be no salvation, we realize the urgency of the work of evangelism and missions. Pray that God will use you today to help others see their need of a Savior.

TRANSITION