At the beginning of Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he pointed out that nature not only gives evidence of God but also makes known his eternal power and divine nature. Paul then said on the day of judgment, Jews would be judged by the Law, and Gentiles would be judged by their consciences which pointed them to the Law written on their hearts. Finally, he said all who sinned, Jew and Gentile, would perish for only the doers of the Law would be declared righteous (Rom. 2:12-13).
If we look at this argument, the first part seems more reasonable than the second. By looking at creation, we can reasonably assume there must be an eternal, powerful creator. But what about the second part? Has God given all people access to his Law as well as the ability to know which actions are morally right with regard to his Law?
Here’s how Paul addressed this question:
Paul said although Jews have the advantage of divine revelation (Rom. 3:2), Gentiles, who do not have the Law, can instinctively do what the Law requires—live righteously; he pointed out the competing voices in their heads (consciences) “show that the work of the Law is written on their hearts” (Rom. 2:14-15).
Now I think we can all agree that people have competing voices in their heads about right and wrong, and they have the freedom to choose which voice they will obey. But can we say this knowledge must come from God?
Let’s consider the argument from James 2:15-16: “If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”
We can assume that one who neglects to help a person they see who is without clothes and food does so after using reason to trump conscience: Although I feel guilt for not helping when I could, it would require a sacrifice I don’t want to make because, after all, I’m not a rich man.
Does this person’s sense of guilt prove God made them aware of the right course of action in this specific situation?
You could say that God gave them this internal voice of righteousness via their parents’ instruction during their young formative years, but is this what Paul meant?
I don’t think so. I think Paul’s claim is bigger than this. I think he was saying that even without instruction from parents, teachers, etc., that person would still have felt guilt for not helping the person without clothes and food. And although this claim might seem incredible, several studies conducted over the past twenty years suggest Paul was right.
Researchers have discovered that babies seem to have innate senses of sympathy and empathy. They can share another’s emotions and thus often avoid doing to others what they would not want done to them.
If this is true, then the man who failed to help did sin and is without excuse, but does he forfeit eternal life because he sinned?
I don’t think Paul would say that. It seems Paul’s claim is that people should know the conflicting voices in their heads are the result of righteous knowledge that God has given them, so when they willfully choose to do wrong, they are willfully and knowledgeably sinning against God. And if they don’t repent, their hearts will become hard and their lives characterized by immorality. It is these people who will perish and not inherit eternal life (Rom. 1:28-32).
Where does Jesus’ death fit into all this?
According to Paul, Jesus’ death was absolutely necessary because ALL have sinned, so were it not for the propitiatory death of Jesus Christ, transgressions would not be forgiven (sins would not be covered), and therefore eternal life would not be possible.
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Notes:
1. Some say Paul was appealing to the teachings of Stoicism, specifically, the Roman philosopher Seneca who said that Zeus places a divine spirit in man to be a “watchman and guardian of our good and of our evil.” (Epistles 41.2; cf. 83.1.)
2. The “work of the Law” (Rom. 2:15) is that which the law demands: righteousness.
3. Studies show that as a percentage of available income, low-income earners give more than most–this is mostly in the form of church tithing; however, as might be expected, only about a third of low-income earners engage in charitable giving.
4. The idea that just one sin makes a person deserving of a lifetime of torture in hell comes from St. Augustine, not from the Bible.
5. Faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus provides the believer with peace, hope, and strength; however, whether or not knowledge of Jesus is necessary for salvation has long been debated.
Related Posts:
Hard-Wired Conscience
What Is Your Life’s Purpose?
Salvation and Inclusivism
Muddling Through the Universe 