Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31 ESV)
When told of the good news of the salvation by Jesus Christ, many people like to ask, "What about those who have never heard of Jesus?" They feel like God is so unfair.
If you strike the first prize in lottery, would you ask questions like, "What about the other people who did not strike first prize? God is so unfair! I strike first prize and others don't. Maybe there are those who are dying of cancer and may need the money more than me!" You would never ask this question, right? You just accept the money! And you will thank whatever god, gods or good luck charms that you believe in, right?
Here we are offering something better than money, which you cannot bring beyond the grave. You are offered eternal life. So why is this question asked? Is it not the same for all religions and how they spread? The gospel, religions, ideas and diseases spread in the same way. It depends on population density, geographic location, communication technology and the fullness of time.
Today we have handphones and communication is so easy. Five hundred years ago, even a person as privileged as the emperor of China cannot communicate like us. And neither would he have the chance to hear the gospel.
But you are so lucky today. You heard that Jesus saves! Now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Accept it now! Don't wait till tomorrow. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:14). Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 BSB)
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:33 ESV, NIV)
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. (Ephesians 1:4-6 BSB)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 BSB)
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)
