According to God’s standards, there are no righteous people. The Gentiles have not lived up to the light they have in nature and in their conscience (Rom. 1:18–32; 2:12–15). The Jews have not lived up to the light they have in the covenant and the law (Rom. 2:17–3:8). All the world is guilty before God. The reason why is a lack of obedience, not a lack of knowledge.
The righteousness God requires is freely given to all who repent and trust Christ. Will we humbly admit we are sinners and truly turn from our own attempts at redemption? Will we fully trust Christ’s righteousness and openly confess Jesus as our Lord? Will we “obey the gospel”? (2 Thess. 1:8).
Why are not all saved? Is it man’s lack of knowledge? Is it God’s lack of love? It is neither. It is man’s lack of obedience. The gospel calls us to obey God’s command to repent and to trust Him to save. Therefore, let us “obey the gospel.” Then, let us call all to “obedience to the faith.”
