Answer

Mark Forslof,

What I find intriguing is the manner in which the opening verse of your argument on God’s judgement to those who have never heard of the gospel (Romans 2) presents the salvation to such people. It is not a secret that all will be judged according to scripture. The focus of salvation for me however, is on those in “all corners of the world” where the gospel would be taken to. In Mathew 24:14, Jesus makes the promise that the end would only come when this is already done. Even so, some will die without having heard of the gospel of salvation. Such would still face judgement as your post aptly puts it.

For the ones who have heard of the gospel though, the situation is a little different. As you rightly point out, the plan of God was to save all people from the start. It is little wonder then that Jesus died for sin. In Romans 8:1, Paul notes that there is therefore no condemnation to those who believe in Christ Jesus. Salvation saves the sinner from the condemnation of sin. Reconciliation is the essence of God’s redemption plan[1].

[1] Winter, Ralph D. Perspectives on the world’s Christian Movement: A Reader. William Carrey Library. 2016. Retrieved from: https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com