What happens to those who have never heard about Jesus?

Response

All individuals are responsible to God regardless of whether they have “heard about Him” or not. The Scriptures inform us that God has unmistakably revealed Himself in nature «For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: », (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of individuals «He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. », (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The issue lies in the fact that humanity is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). Were it not for God’s grace, we would be handed over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to realize how futile and wretched life is without Him. This happens to those who persistently turn away from Him (Romans 1:24-32).

Essentially, the issue is not that some individuals have not heard about God. Instead, the problem is that they have rejected what they have heard and what is clearly visible in nature. Deuteronomy 4:29 declares, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” This verse conveys an important truth—anyone who genuinely seeks God will find Him. If a person truly longs to know Him, they will ultimately find Him.

God, God will make Himself known.

The issue is that “there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God” «There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God. », (Romans 3:11). People reject the knowledge of God that is evident in nature and in their own hearts, and instead choose to worship a “god” of their own making. It is unwise to argue about the justice of God sending someone to hell who never had the chance to hear the gospel of Christ. People are accountable to God for what He has already disclosed to them. The Bible states that people turn away from this knowledge, and therefore God is fair in condemning them to hell.

Rather than discussing the destiny of those who have never heard, we, as Christians, should strive to ensure they do hear. We are commissioned to spread the gospel worldwide (Matthew 28:19-20;Acts 1:8). We understand that people reject the knowledge of God revealed in nature, and that should inspire us to announce the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Only by embracing God’s grace through the Lord Jesus Christ can people be saved from their sins and delivered from an eternity separated from God.

If we presume that those who never hear the gospel receive mercy from God, we lose our incentive for evangelism. We also encounter a significant issue. If individuals who never hear the gospel are automatically saved, then it makes sense to ensure no one ever hears the gospel—because then there would be a possibility they might reject it and be condemned.

The Bible is explicit that those who perish without Christ will confront an eternity in hell. Jesus’ directive to evangelize the entire world remains valid. People must invoke the name of the Lord, but “how . . . can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have notheard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). Those who have never heard about Jesus Christ desperately need to listen, and that caused Paul to exclaim, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” «For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! », (1 Corinthians 9:16).