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I have heard this question many times: “I do not believe in God and will not follow Him. Does that mean God will send me to hell?”
The question itself is both arrogant and contradictory. On one hand, they boldly declare their disbelief in God, rejecting the idea of His existence and, therefore, the existence of hell. Yet, on the other hand, they ask if God will send them there. In doing so, they contradict themselves with the very question.
Many people try to dance around this question, attempting to avoid offense while staying true to their beliefs. However, let me give you the straightforward, one-word answer: YES!
Sometimes, the truth is offensive. The Bible is very clear that there is only one way to be saved from this place called hell:
Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Isaiah 64:6
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Good works and living a good life are not enough. No other religion can save us from hell. Nothing else will suffice. The fact remains: if you reject Jesus, you also reject salvation. This leaves you with a one-way ticket to hell.
Why is this the case? As we’ve discussed in earlier lessons, everyone is a sinner. This universal truth means that everyone must pay the penalty for their sins, and that penalty is death.
What If Someone Never Hears About Jesus
What happens to people who never hear of Jesus? What about everyone in the Old Testament or those who have never heard His name?
When we read that the Bible says salvation is found only in Jesus, it’s natural to wonder if this is fair. Rejecting Jesus results in everlasting torment, and this can lead to accusations of God being unfair.
Here’s the issue: Jesus is the same God revealed in the Old Testament, and you don’t have to know the Bible to know God. Take Abraham, for example. He was called the “friend of God” long before the Bible was written. Every human that has ever lived has been given the chance to seek and find God—or to deny Him.
But how would anyone know there’s a God if they weren’t told? Let the Bible answer:
2 Peter 3:5-7
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Even atheists acknowledge that humanity seems to have an innate need to believe in a higher power to make sense of existence. Though some claim God is imagined, the existence of the universe itself points to a Creator. The Bible teaches that they must be willingly ignorant.
Without God, nothing makes sense. This is why many atheists relentlessly proclaim that one day they will have a better answer—they are searching for a way to explain existence without a divine Creator.
Often, their conclusion is: “We don’t know.” This is not due to lack of evidence but a willful rejection of the only answer that fits: God.
The Evidence of Creation
The first step for people, even before Jesus’ time, was to look at creation and conclude that there must be a God. Without this belief, nothing makes sense. Once people acknowledge an invisible Creator, they naturally wonder: What pleases God? Who is He?
Human history is filled with countless religions, all attempting to answer these questions. In Acts, Paul encountered people searching for answers:
Acts 17:22-23
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Jesus is the “Unknown God” they sought. Paul recognized their efforts to worship, even in ignorance. Similarly, Abraham didn’t come from a people who knew God. He simply responded when God revealed Himself, eventually becoming His “friend.”
Before Jesus and the written Word, people worshipped God with limited understanding.
Romans 2:13-15
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
This shows that God has written His law on every human heart. Our conscience bears witness, teaching us the difference between right and wrong. Ignoring this voice leads to moral corruption, but initially, all people have this moral compass.
Acts 17:30
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Salvation Through Repentance
God is not angry with people simply because they didn’t know His name. In the past, He judged people based on their response to the law written on their hearts. When evil men repented of their wrongdoings, their sins were forgiven.
In a way people that have never heard of Jesus are like children. Until a child is able to hear the gospel and respond to it appropriately they are not held accountable for sin.
Nevertheless, these people do have a conscience. When they are able to listen to it and respond appropriately they are accountable to the law in their very conscience. That’s why Romans says: “Their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”
However, now that Jesus has been revealed to the world, ignorance is no longer an excuse. His resurrection confirms that He alone is God. His name and message have been declared across the globe, so everyone is called to repent and follow Him.
The sacrifice of Jesus was enough to pay for all sins. This includes the sins of those that worship Him in ignorance.
Still, imagine someone who repents of all their sins but refuses to follow Jesus when they learn about Him. They are still guilty of rebellion against God.
Romans 1:18-21
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 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: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rejecting God after knowing Him demonstrates a heart of rebellion. But even willful ignorance is no escape. Those who refuse the light of God when they hear of Him show that their hearts are already dark.
The God Behind the Name
Knowing Jesus is not just about recognizing His name—it’s about knowing the God behind the name. Salvation requires repentance and a commitment to follow Him.
This truth offers hope: hearing about Jesus provides an opportunity to be saved. For those who reject Him, their rejection reveals the condition of their heart. But for those who accept Him, it leads to a relationship with the Creator and the hope of eternal life.
We will explore the topics of repentance and following Jesus in greater detail later. For now, know this: salvation is offered to all, and it is found in Jesus Christ.
Unit 2 Complete. Return To Course Home To Begin Unit 3 – Repentance and Salvation OR
Return To Christianity 101 Unit 2 To Review What You Have Gone Over
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