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If this principle applied to the "law" can it also be understood to apply to the millions of humans who have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel of Christ ? What are your thoughts?
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At first I was thinking, No, it wouldn't be fair of the Lord to judge those who have never had opportunity to hear his Gospel. But then I went to read all of Romans chapter 2, and in the middle parts it seems to say that those, even without law, but who have law unto themselves, are able to either condemn or excuse THEMSELVES according to their OWN conscience. In other words, as God has planted in each person a "measure of faith," it seems he also has planted in each person a "measure of conscience," so to speak. (I'm basically agreeing with what deaconbluez said).
Then I went to see what my favorite Bible teacher has to say about it, Les Feldick, a country-bumpkin rancher, but excellent teacher, from Oklahoma. He covers Romans 1, 2, 3, on this page: http://www.lesfeldick.org/lesbk20.html . Scroll down a little ways, as he finishes up Acts at the top. Then he starts in on Romans:
INTRODUCING ROMANS CHAPTER 1:1-15
LESSON ONE * PART II
LESSON ONE * PART III
LESSON ONE * PART IV
MANIFOLD RESULTS OF SALVATION: ROMANS 1:16
LESSON TWO * PART I
LESSON TWO * PART II
LESSON TWO * PART III
LESSON TWO * PART IV
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Then finally he gets near to Romans 2, and this is where I began reading:
http://www.lesfeldick.org/lesbk20.html
GOD'S WRATH - IMMORAL MAN - ROMANS 1:17-32
GOD PROVES HIS CASE - MORAL MAN - ROMANS 2
THE VERDICT IS GUILTY - RELIGIOUS MAN - ROM. 3:1-23
LESSON THREE * PART I
LESSON THREE * PART II
LESSON THREE * PART III
LESSON THREE * PART IV
The verses in Romans 2 re: conscience of those without law, well, Les basically says the same as we already stated.
However, those verses in Romans 1 were also interesting in that it would appear that God has also already planted in every person the ability to be able to recognize his existence, also; and therefore, an ability to believe or not believe in God, even w/o hearing the exact Gospel (if for whatever reason that opportunity never arises, but I'm thinking the Lord will make sure everyone hears, at least those whose hearts He can already tell would be receptive, etc.).
So, if I am understanding it correctly, then God may have to "judge" people on that basis (their inherent ability to recognize His existence, and their ability to know right from wrong in their own conscience), even those who never had opportunity to hear the Gospel... ???? I don't know, I'm no expert.
Check out the link, maybe it will help (or maybe not). Personally, I love Les Feldick. If he's on a TV-channel or radio in your area, check him out. It's better on TV than reading it. It's a verse-by-verse through the entire Bible study program: http://www.lesfeldick.org/les-tv.html . Always fascinating! and he definitely does NOT RUSH through it. It took about 14 years to get through the entire Bible one time around... one week at a time, but now my local channel airs the older shows M-F, a weekly feast!
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Speaking of TV, I think it, and the internet, are some of the last great bastions of immensely-widespread evangelizing tools, so millions and millions ARE hearing the Gospel via TV, internet, etc., even in countries you would never imagine, due to satellite reception (Arab nations, China, etc.) If it took waiting for the minority-of-JWs to reach every single door, it would never get done. But TV gets into every home, every hut, every small town square in every remote village, in one little shop or another where people gather around, etc. It's happening, and it's quite thrilling actually. I don't think the Lord will have too many sheep left w/o a witness who don't hear his Gospel.
/ag
