For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

–Romans 2:13-16/NIV

This passage has always intrigued me, especially “when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them”

There is something mysterious and yet comforting about this truth. When God asks us not to worry, yet go into all the world to tell about Jesus, it can be a source of worry that not all who hear the Gospel will accept it. It is also a source of worry for those who have not heard of the name Jesus.

This passage seems to confirm Eccleciastes 3:11/NIV, He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

There is a lot I don’t know. But I am at peace with the following truths: First, Christ must be preached. Secondly, do not worry about anything (Psalm 37:8, Matthew 6:34, Mark 13:11). Third, even if Christ is not known, man has a conscience that judges good and evil, and God is more capable than I to judge those who are not in Christ.

Finally, my job is to do as Christ admonished when asked what the greatest commandment is:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. –Matthew 22:37-40/NIV

Love God, love others, love self, and the Great Commission will always be preached whether a missionary by vocation or Christian living our daily lives no matter our vocations.

Amazing!