DID OUR ANCESTORS GET SAVED TOO?

 Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi   

Luke 12:48TLB "But anyone who is not aware that he is doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater”

         One of the questions we often contend with is that of the fate of our ancestors and those who did not have the opportunity of receiving the gospel before their death, does it imply they are to be neglected in the execution of God’s judgment.  Will it be fair for these groups of persons to be sent to  hell for not believing in Jesus Christ even when they never heard the gospel and  what about those persons in the outermost parts of the earth who may never hear the gospel preached to them , what becomes of them? 

       The above scripture teaches about the principle of equity in the administration of divine justice. It speaks of the varying degrees of God's judgment in proportion to the knowledge of the guilty party. It makes provisions for those who sin ignorantly as expressed by Jesus in John 9:41NLT "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see “

          There has to be an existing law in operation for there to be a violation of the law, therefore where there is no law there can be no violation. It is against this backdrop that Romans 5:13 says, "sin is not imputed when there is no law." This covers the era before the introduction of the laws of Moses and the period after the law was fulfilled in Christ.It is by this principle that Abraham was saved. Grace through faith alone.

         The ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law. Lev 4:13-14 NLT "If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord's commands, but the people don't realize it, they are still guilty.” However, the coming of Jesus Christ marked the beginning of the era of grace or mercy. He took upon Himself on behalf of humanity the punishment prescribed by the law for sins thus satisfying the demands of the law and divine justice . This also marked the end of the law as it applies to man , Rom 10:4KJV says”For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes” . It is based on this premise that one of the worst enemy of the church, Paul said, in 1 Timothy 1:13, that he obtained mercy because he had sinned "ignorantly in unbelief." Paul once killed pastors for a living. He was guilty of blasphemy just as the Islamic state's (IS) and Gboko Haram aggression against God’s people.   
            Paul's ignorance in this case entitled him to a second chance. There would not have been any forgiveness if he had continued after knowing the truth ,he would surely have paid the price. This is not to say that a person is not to be held accountable for his or her actions because of a partial revelation of the truth. Like Paul ,our ancestors had a knowledge of God within their subconscious  as with every person today to the degree of being conscious of the Creator though some for selfish reasons rejected the truth while some changed it and they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20). God is fair in the dispensation of justice and every person who has ever lived was given an equal opportunity to have a relationship with Him. 
    We are enjoined not to treat the grace of God with levity and disdain . As you make Jesus your lord  and saviour and read this now receive grace for the establishment of your faith and may your walk with Christ be fruitful in Jesus name.
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