With this article, I’m starting a series about why some people have stopped following Christ. In our generation there’s a growing number of people who have become turned off by modern Christianity. They’re either leaving the church or turning away from Christ altogether.

I believe that this is a serious matter. So I’m taking a couple of posts to deal with these issues. The first subject I want to tackle is about hell.

I read an article where a former Christian talked about what he heard preached in his church. It was taught that everyone, everywhere, who was not a Christian was going to hell.

This included native peoples in Africa, Asia, and the Americas before the Gospel ever reached their regions. The person being interviewed said that he couldn’t believe in a God who would sentence someone to hell purely based upon where they were born.

First, let me start by saying that if someone is presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then they must respond. Scripturally, those who reject or ignore this Gospel are destined for hell. That is the absolute teaching of the Bible.

However, this brings me to a very misunderstood truth in Scripture. Jesus laid the foundation for it while teaching His disciples.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

John 10:16 NIV

Many teachers have a hard time with this verse. Is Jesus talking about Gentiles or another group? He was obviously talking about people who were not a part of the group who were following His teaching. I believe that the Apostle Paul can help us to understand this.

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Romans 2:13-16 NIV

Do you see what Paul is saying here? Hearing is NOT a prerequisite for being declared righteous. There are some circumstances where a person’s conscience will defend them at the Judgment Day.

That’s something you don’t hear taught very often. There is a case where someone could be saved by the good works that they’ve done.

Actually, Jesus Himself taught this in very clear terms. Look at what the Lord told His disciples concerning the Judgment.

“All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

Matthew 25:32 NIV

Christ is not talking about believers in this parable. Our judgment takes place at a different time (Revelation, chapter 20). He is clearly talking about the nations at His return.

Yet in this parable, some are allowed into the Kingdom. Why is that?

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”

Matthew 25:34-36 NIV

These are people who, according to Paul’s teaching in Romans, followed the law of God written in their hearts. Again, I have to remind you that this is a special case. It should become clear in the next few verses.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:37-40 NIV

Their answer shows that they don’t even know who Christ is. Yet, even though they didn’t know the Lord or His law, they were saved and given entrance into His kingdom.

I believe this applies only to those people groups who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is just. He will only judge us according to our level of understanding.

This Good News of Christ needs to be preached so that all people can experience the riches of His grace in their lives right now.

Question: How important to you is the spreading of the Gospel of Christ?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi