I’m in town today at the Jubilee Library, preparing to preach to Grace Church Brighton tomorrow. When I popped over the road to the local mini supermarket, my friend the Security Guard was there. We enjoy little chats. He’s from a Christian/religious background but is more into Buddhism these days.

Today’s question was, “What about someone in a far off land who has never heard about Jesus?”
I only had a couple of minutes and he still needed to keep an eye on the shop.

What would you say?

I said something like this…
– Well the Bible tells us in Romans 1 that all people have access to the knowledge of God’s existence and power through creation, but we’ve surpassed that truth. This means we’re all without excuse and accountable to God (Romans 1:18-20).
– Jesus said that he himself is the way, the truth, the life – no-one comes to the Father except by him (John 14)
– So it’s a good question but the pressing issue is for people like you and me who have heard the truth about Jesus. Aren’t we doubly without excuse?

As we parted he said that my answer was interesting. He had asked this of other priests and religious people and they had said lots of different things. But they tended not to use the Bible.

I left thinking that there was much more to say.
– “Being without excuse” isn’t just about our rejection of the knowledge of God it’s also to do with our moral failure before God. After all – don’t we all break God’s law – even when its written on our hearts (Roman 2:15,16)?
– Do I rely usually on God’s word when I try to answer people’s questions?
– And how widely am I offering the gospel today? There are 1000s of people in our area of Brighton who have little or no knowledge of Jesus.

Paul goes on to say …

“How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in?
And how can they believe without hearing about him?
And how can they hear without a preacher?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Romans 10:14-15)

I enjoy these little chats. Lord willing we will meet again.
What would you have said?