Expert: Sal - 2/18/2004

Question
dear sal,
it seems inconsistent that god's perfect love, as revealed in the bible, is spread by word of mouth. some people suffer entire lifetimes without companionship with jesus while others, (christians), enjoy the ultimate human experience in a daily walk with jesus. both god and non christians suffer due to this reality.
i'm not concerned with salvation, however. i suppose non believers go to heaven as god sees fit. my concern, rather, is during people's lifetimes on earth. why does god choose to enjoy love expressed by believers in their daily lives, while legions of lost live and die without knowing the gospel?
please don't say it's because the lost have rejected god's gift. while some have; others haven't heard or understood the good news.
thank you! i hope you understand my question, and that this email finds you well. i appreciate your help.
-troy (saunza@yahoo.com)

Answer
Dear Troy:

You are right. It is unfortunate that people die without knowing the gospel. It is the Catholic Church's job, in particular, and all Christians' job, in general, to preach the gospel to all people. Those that die without ever hearing the gospel will be judged by the law of God written on man's heart (see Romans 2:14-15). Since so many die without the gospel it is all the more urgent for us to preach the gospel where ever we may be. This is how God has chosen for the gospel to get out to the world, by human beings. Why He chose this way I'm not sure. Possibly He chose it because we, all human beings, are a family. Perhaps His plan is for us to realize this through getting the gospel out to our brothers and sisters.

Thanks for the question.

I hope that this answer helped in some small way.

God Bless you,
Sal