What about those who have never heard of Jesus?

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Steve Foster

As a pastor I am periodically asked difficult questions of faith. One question I was asked recently is the fate of those who have never heard of Jesus Christ. My response to this person's question is listed below.

One of the perennial questions of Christianity regards the fate of those who have never heard of Jesus Christ. After all, if Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to God except through Him (John 14:6), then how do you process the untold millions (in the present and in history) who have never even heard His name or have only a vague or inaccurate picture of Who He is?

The question behind the question is the very heart of God. Is He really loving? Would God condemn someone unfairly? Will there be someone burning for eternity in hell who, under different circumstances, would have trusted in Jesus but didn't have the chance because of the "unluckiness" of their place of birth, the religion that they were raised in, and/or the laziness of Christians in getting the gospel to them?

Scripture makes it very clear that God is loving (1 John 4:7-8), He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11), completely knows people's hearts (Jeremiah 17:10), knows all realities as well as all possible realities (Psalm 139:1-6), desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-6), takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), and is in complete control of the salvation process (2 Thessalonians 2:13). God's salvation plan is universal and His reach is unlimited.

Key verses which show the universality of God's redemptive plan and which assure us that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25) are as follows:

Romans 1:18-23 — God reveals Himself to the heart of every person through creation and also through some kind of personal inner witness (conscience, conviction, etc.). What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (Romans 1:19)

John 1:9 — Jesus is the Light that gives light to every person who enters the world. There is some kind of inner witness given by Jesus to all people.

John 16:7-11 — The Holy Spirit convicts the entire world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Again, another inner witness. Every person, in other words, knows deep down that there is a standard (righteousness), that they don't meet it (sin), and that they are responsible to God for not meeting it (judgment). The universal practice of giving excuses reveals this fact. We know we should do better. We know we are accountable. We know we fall short. Thus, we rationalize, excuse, blameshift, compare ourselves with others, deny the whole conscience thing as a repressive remnant of religion, compensate with extreme morality in other areas, or humbly take responsibility and seek redemption.

Acts 10:34-35 — I love this passage because it should bust our categories a little bit…or at least greatly challenge them. God sees the heart of every person in the world. And if someone fears Him and hungers for righteousness (as prompted only by the Spirit of God), God will accept him and, as in the case of Cornelius, will reveal more and more of Himself to him (dreams, unexpected messengers, inner convictions, missionary, etc.).

Acts 17:26-28 — Not only is it impossible that someone could be born in an "unlucky" place but God has put each person in the exact place and time they need to be in order to find Him. That's how much in control of the salvation process He is.

1 John 2:1-2 — Jesus' death is not only the propitiation for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world. In other words, God's wrath has been completely satisfied in Jesus' death. Nothing prevents reconciliation except the heart of an individual who rejects the conviction of His Spirit and speaks against (i.e., blasphemes) the Spirit's ministry in their heart.

[By the way, that is how I understand blasphemy of the Spirit, mentioned in Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10. It has nothing to do with the goofy blasphemy challenges on the internet. Jesus states that every sin will be forgiven except one, speaking against the conviction of the Holy Spirit and His drawing toward Jesus Christ in one's heart. Forgiveness is offered to all. Jesus' atoning death has covered all sins. God's wrath has been completely satisfied in Christ. Thus, the only sin that sends a person to hell is when the Spirit of God moves in a person's heart, convicting them of sin, pointing them to God's mercy, and the person finally and firmly says in their heart, "Shut up, Holy Spirit! I want none of this! Leave me alone!" God alone sees and hears these words of the heart. Note that in the context Jesus mentions this sin, the religious leaders have said nothing verbally about the Holy Spirit. It was a heart thing that only Jesus could see.]

Scripture makes it plain that no one gets to heaven except through Jesus (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). No question. He is the only One who could pay and has paid the infinite debt of sin. But how much a person needs to know and understand about Jesus for salvation is debatable. Obviously OT saints were justified through Jesus' death even though they did not fully grasp the idea of Messiah and sacrificial atonement. Abraham was justified by simply believing God's promise (Genesis 15:6). Thus it is possible for God to justify someone based on the revelation that He has given them and their heart response to it.

Luke 18:9-14 is my favorite passage in this regard. The tax collector in this story knew three basic things: 1) There is a God. 2) I fall short of His standard (sin). And 3) I desperately need God's mercy. Jesus said the tax collector was justified based on his knowledge and heartfelt response to these three simple truths…three truths which clearly point to Jesus Christ, the only Savior from sin.

The fear some people have when you teach these truths is that it will lessen our evangelistic imperative. Actually I think it increases it because it takes the pressure and fear out of it. I am simply a confirmer (witness) of what the Holy Spirit is already doing in a person's heart. I never talk to anyone who hasn't already been confronted by God. I also realize that I am just a seed planter (Matthew 13:1-23). Only God can cause the seed to grow (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). God will accomplish His work. I have the privilege of joining Him in the process. What greater joy and motivation is there?

A classic book on the topic is Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson. It is a missionary, historical perspective showing how, through history, God has prepared people for the gospel even before missionaries have ever stepped foot in their nation/culture. Great book.

Hope that helps. Oh, I would also suggest John MacArthur's commentary on Romans 1. Good stuff. He tells a compelling story of Helen Keller. Anne Sullivan, Keller's teacher and a strong believer in Jesus, desires at one point to teach Helen about God. When Anne broached the topic for the first time, Helen responded, "I already knew Him. I just didn't know His name." Quite a testimony from a woman who was cut off from the sight and sound of God's creation but apparently heard His voice in her heart. Maybe we don't hear it today because we are too consumed with the world's sights and sounds…but that's another sermon for another day.

In the end, I trust my Father. He is the God of all mercy, all grace, and all love. And as Lord of all the earth and Creator of all things, He knows the hearts of all people. As Abraham said, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25). He indeed will. And we can trust Him to do so. In the meantime, let's join Him in the ministry of reconciliation.

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A Father's Joy

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Steve Foster

We headed over to Peddlers Village in PA today. Spent the day at Giggleberry Fair, a Chuck E. Cheese type play place for kids of all ages. The boys had a blast. We were there for six hours and they stayed active the whole time (except for a lunch break). They even got along most of the time. Amazing.

I spent most of the six hours sitting in a booth in the food area. I alternated between resting my leg on the booth cushion and putting it beneath the table. The switch was predicated on the soreness of my back end. Oh, to have a little more cushioning back there. Unfortunately extra cushioning is not a male trait in my family.

While sitting, I journaled, reflected, studied, scanned back through Bunyan’s Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, did some calendar planning, and enjoyed watching my kids enjoy themselves.

It’s amazing how watching your kids laugh and smile and tell stories of their adventures brings such joy to a father. I brought them to this place for their joy, not my own. Indeed, I had to fork over a good amount of money for their joy! But as a father, I love to see my children smile…especially when they express their appreciation and share their joy with me. They enjoyed themselves and they were grateful. They didn’t take the opportunity for granted. They didn’t see it as an entitlement. They didn’t complain. And I smiled too.

The other thing that was awesome to watch was their care for their younger brother. Often they see him as a nuisance, as a third wheel, as a hindrance to their own fun. But for some reason (something was in the air?), they were especially nice to him today. They stuck by him and involved him in their fun. Believe me, this is a rare occurrence…but oh, a wonderful thing to see.

I wonder, again, if my injury has raised the bar for them. They realize that I can’t help and that my wife has a lot on her plate right now, so they are rising to the challenge. I make sure to encourage them in this…and praise them for it. “Go the extra mile, boys, and you will make your dad and your mom smile.” For some reason, today they heeded this advice.

I can’t help but reflect this to my relationship with God. He loves to see me smile. He loves to see me revel in the gifts of life and share that joy with Him, in gratitude, in praise.

On the other hand, He is grieved when I complain, think I deserve more, overlook my blessings, see life as an entitlement, and see my brothers and sisters in Christ as a nuisance to shed as quickly as possible.

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy i nthe Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may build up another. (Romans 14:17-19)

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First Week Down

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Steve Foster

Today marks one week since my surgery. It seems like it has been a month. Time moves slower on the recliner.

I went into the church office today. It was the first time I have attempted to work in the office since the Achilles rupture happened. I sat in the wheelchair with my leg propped on another chair. I put the keyboard in my lap and sat catty-corner (I wonder what the origin of that phrase is) to the screen. It wasn’t the most comfortable position and I am not sure that I got much accomplished. The simplest of tasks took three times as long. Even returning a book to one of my bookshelves was a challenge.

I still struggle to stand on my right leg for an extended period of time. When my left leg is hanging down, all the blood rushes to my foot. It becomes uncomfortable after a minute or two. I have gotten used to using crutches but I prefer the wheelchair when I have the option. Plus the wheelchair is sort of fun to maneuver. We have a slope down our church hallway outside my office. I took a few runs down it today. It was like a cheap amusement park ride.

Later in the day I rode over with someone to pray for a member of our church. I moved kind of slow but was able to get in and out of the van and in and out of the house without too much difficulty. However, what normally may have been a thirty minute visit turned into a longer one, partially because of my turtle pace.

I am finding that life is moving slower for me right now. I have had to let some things go off my plate (not always easy), walk slower, do less, rest more. Under normal circumstances, I would feel guilty for doing this. After all, there are so many things to do, people to see, tasks to accomplish.

One snapped tendon decelerates life. I wonder if this is the pace I should be at anyway. I wonder how much America’s hyper-culture has impacted me. I wonder how much my own compulsions drive me at a speed that is not healthy. Slowing down is not easy. It sounds good but in reality it is hard to do. It is not the slowing down of laziness–doing nothing. It is the slowing down of life–taking time to talk longer, appreciate more, learn more, reflect more, journal more, pray more, let some things go. Matthew 11:28-30 keeps popping in my head…Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Sometimes God has to cripple us to bless us.

The feel of my left foot is changing. I think the swelling has gone down so I am feeling the cast more and more. The extra space is actually more annoying than relieving. I haven’t experienced any itching yet (the common story told to me from former cast wearers) but I have felt more heat in the cast and general discomfort. At times, I just want to rip the cast off and let my leg/foot feel some air. I guess I am getting claustrophobia of the lower extremity.

Next Wednesday the cast comes off…for a few minutes anyway so that I can get the staples out and a new cast. I am looking forward to the brief respite of freedom for my leg. Are getting staples out painful? I’ll soon find out.

Tomorrow we heading over to PA for a little vacation. It is a trip we already had scheduled on our calendar. It will be the longest car ride I have taken so far. The positioning of my leg will be the biggest challenge. I can sit for awhile but then I want to elevate my leg to get the blood out of my foot. The only option in the front seat is to rest the cast on the dashboard. However, the few times I have done this, I start getting visions of being rear-ended (a real possibility on NJ highways) and having my foot ram through the front windshield. That thought is enough to bring my foot back down to the floorboard fairly quickly.

Lord willing, the boys will enjoy the time away, my wife won’t have too much on her shoulders, and we can all have fun together despite my lame leg.

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Shopping in a Wheelchair

Posted on November 28, 2009 by Steve Foster

A good night’s sleep helped the day to start off better. The pain in my foot is practically gone…though my right shoulder and left hip are sore. I guess compensating for a lame foot and a heavy cast can take its toll on the rest of my body.

I spent most of the day working on this website. Under normal circumstances, I would have never had time for this. Too many other responsibilities would have demanded my attention. Sitting on a recliner most of the day gave me the time I needed. I pray that something I write will be an encouragement to others.

My biggest adventure today was going to a sporting goods store with Liz and the boys. The boys had some Christmas money and they wanted some sports jerseys and/or Under Armor. I simply wanted to get out of the house. A sporting goods store wasn’t a bad place to start.

A lady in our church loaned us a small wheelchair. Standing up with crutches is not easy for me right now. The angle of my left foot makes it difficult to rest the cast on the ground so I usually end up standing like a flamingo with my left leg bent behind me. It’s a position I can only hold for a few minutes. The wheelchair is a nicer option.

My four year old wanted to push me. Scary thought. I pictured OJ Simpson in The Naked Gun rolling down the stadium steps and flipping out onto the field. I mentioned that movie scene to my kids and they asked, “Who’s O.J. Simpson?” I guess that’s good.

Each of the boys took a turn pushing me in the sporting goods. For some reason, that was a neat experience for them. Noah scared me the most. He seemed to think there was some kind of race to win. Eventually I decided to roll myself around.

It was a unique experience being in a wheelchair in a store during Christmas shopping season. A few kids stared at me. Sale racks blocked many of the aisles. I got stuck between a table and a wall while looking at a clearance sale on shoes. But over time I learned how to maneuver fairly well and avoid rolling over people’s toes. I felt like a midget checking out, reaching up to sign the credit card receipt on the checkout counter.

Coming home we stopped by Starbucks for a caramel frappuccino. The day was getting better every moment.

At home, I watched another football game, Florida vs. Florida State. I grew up a Florida State fan. I heard Bobby Bowden give his testimony at a Baptist youth conference when I was around twelve years old. I became a fan instantly. The rest of my family rooted for the Gators while I cheered on the ‘Noles. My mom eventually cheered with me. She didn’t really care too much about football and didn’t want her youngest son to cheer alone. The ‘Noles were much better then so I enjoyed a lot more good moments than the rest of my family. How times have changed…except for the fact that Bobby Bowden is still coaching.

I guess it is bad to abandon the FSU ship in the midst of such a pitiful season but I honestly wanted Florida to win. Not that I care about the Gators. I simply admire the strong Christian testimony of Tim Tebow and I want him to end his college career with an indisputable claim to the “best college football player in history.” Two Heismans, three nationals championships, and a slew of SEC records would do it. My kids have already devoted themselves as Gator fans (at least for now). It is hard to blame them after watching them destroy the ‘Noles. Oh, Bobby, it is time to retire.

We put up the Christmas tree (I watched), ate dinner (my leg propped up on the chair next to me), and then started getting ready for bed.

The other handicapped accessory I got today was a shower seat. I can’t wait to use it tonight before going to bed.

Our home has almost been completely transformed into “handicap-friendly.” Chairs are strategically positioned throughout the house. The recliner has been outfitted with all the modern conveniences of life. And most of the kids’ toys have actually been picked up off the floor. Amazing.

Perhaps the neatest thing I am seeing in this whole ordeal is my kids’ picking up the slack at home. Jonah practically unpacked and put up the Christmas tree on his own. The boys are setting the table and clearing it after a meal. This morning they pitched in to clean up the whole house. Noah delivered my food today and even did a little dance to entertain me.

I have noticed that often people don’t rise to a challenge until they have to. Maybe as a parent, I often get in the way of letting my children take on more responsibility. Or maybe as a child, they step back when they think someone else can do it. Whatever the case, this injury has raised the bar for them in our house.

Thank You, Lord, for helping me to see and enjoy the simple blessings of life.

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Colossians 4:2-6

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Steve Foster

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

How do we live as witnesses for Jesus Christ? The task of evangelism often seems overwhelming to me. I want to be faithful. I want to make an impact. But I often feel inadequate or unsure of how to be the best witness to those around me. That’s why I love Paul’s simple witnessing formula in these verses.

Pray Boldly. Devote yourself to prayer. Make prayer a priority. Pray with an awareness of what is going on around you and with thankfulness for all of God’s blessings. Pray for open doors for the message of the gospel, for yourself and for God’s workers around the world. Pray for boldness and clarity in sharing the gospel when an open door presents itself. Begin the day saying, “Lord, use me today. Help me to be aware of the opportunities around me. Help me to see people as You see them.” It is only in yielding our lives to the Spirit of God, that we are empowered and guided as His witnesses (Acts 1:8).

Live Wisely. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. There is not a “one size fits all” approach to evangelism. Jesus approached people in different ways depending on who they were and the context in which He met them. In sending out His disciples on their first mission trip, Jesus told them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16b). Think. Be discerning. Be creative. Know your audience. And though you never compromise the message, you do adjust your approach to someone based on who they are and where they are in their understanding of God. As Paul says regarding his own missionary strategy, I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:22b).

Speak Gracefully. Let your speech be always full of grace. No exceptions. We always speak the truth encompassed by, surrounded by, encased with love. We are ministers of reconciliation not condemnation. The truth of the gospel may offend but our attitudes and actions never should. I shudder when I see what is often done “in the name of Christ” or “as a witness for Christ.” Without love, the boldest of evangelists is just a clanging cymbal making irritating noise to an increasingly uninterested world.

We speak with grace to open people’s ears and we season our conversation with salt to discern people’s hearts. In other words, Paul is saying, “Be gracious in your speech and find ways in your conversations to talk about biblical truth, praise God, or honor Christ.” Nothing heavy, just a good seasoning to make thirsty people inquire more. Notice the last phrase, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Gracious speech, seasoned with salt, opens doors for further conversation.

Lord, help me to pray boldly, live wisely, and speak gracefully today!

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