The Necessity of the Great Commission.

     Every so often someone brings up the question of what happens to people who never heard the gospel; people in a far away remote land who never had the chance to hear the gospel of Christ.
     I am surprised to see the large number of so called Christians who believe that God in His mercy overlooks their sin because they never had a chance to hear about Christ, therefore they could not believe.
     I find problems with this view based on the scriptures. Remember all scripture is God breathed, (1Tim 3:16), and is our final authority on this and other matters of faith and practice. This is God's word to us, telling us His desire and will concerning this question.
     Jesus commanded that we should go to the farthest corners of the earth with the message of the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8). If those who had never heard the gospel were saved in their ignorance of the truth, wouldn't it be better if they didn't hear? It would seem that Jesus is commanding us to go and do something that might just be the thing that damns a soul rather than saves it. If they were saved anyway, it would be better for them to have never known the truth, than to risk rejecting it.
     Look at what Paul tells us about those who sin without the law. They will perish without the law (Romans 2:12). Why? Because they are a law unto themselves. They understand right and wrong even though they have never seen a bible, never heard a gospel message, never met a missionary. Their conscience condemns or approves their actions, because the work of the law is written upon their hearts (Romans 2:14-15). 
     They need someone to tell them the good news of Jesus Christ, because they have sinned against the knowledge that they have, however dim it may be, and they are lost!
      Look back to Romans 1:18-23. God has revealed Himself to all mankind in every place, whether through His word, or through creation. We are condemned when we reject this revelation and worship the creation instead of the God who created it. Look at the all of the idolatry throughout the world. Consider what it must be like in unreached places! These individuals are lost, and we must reach them!
     Finally the Apostle Paul speaks of confessing Jesus, and believing in Him for salvation (Romans 10:9-10). This is how we are saved, by turning from our sins and self, and by faith surrendering ourselves to the lordship of Christ, casting ourselves upon His mercy. 
     Look further on though when he mentions those who have not believed or heard the message of the gospel (Romans 10:14-15). He says that they cannot hear or believe unless someone is sent to them! He says the feet of those bringing the good news of salvation are beautiful! If it is true that they are saved because they have never had the chance to hear, then why would Paul say the feet of those sent to proclaim salvation to them are beautiful? It would be better to stay far away from them and let them remain in their ignorance, than to risk their souls by telling them the truth.
     The truth is we are all lost apart from Christ. We all need to be saved from our sin no matter where we live. It is this sin, this rebellion against God that separates us from Him and subjects us to eternal damnation. God desires that all have an adequate opportunity to hear the message of life, and have a chance to repent of their sins, and trust in the mercy of Christ and be saved (1Tim 2:4). They are lost if they are not reached!