We are not born equals so why expect salvation for all?

Question

Say one person is born into a family of murders and has seen nothing but cruelty and never hears about the bible.

And you are born into a loving family which teaches you love and respect for all and teaches you the bible.

Now why did God place both of you into different settings. Obviously the first person isnt even getting a chance to enter the kingdom of God. Why is God so unfair doesnt God want everyone to have an equal opportunity to be good?

Damien I like your answer. But doesnt it seem unfair that some people are born into situations that allow them a better opportunity to know God? The analogy of the convicts is fine but God loves all and is definitely infinitely more loving than a Governor. Should God not be more fair than the Governor? Shouldnt everyone be born equal then?

Answer 1

The Bible teaches that God's thoughts and our thoughts are as different as the heavens are above the earth so I think the problem is in our putting our mentality on Him. Fair and unfair are totally human ideas and not very good ones either.
God tells us something and we don't do it the consequences affect our selves, our families, our friends, our children and our children's children for generations to come. The Jewish people today still influenced by what their ancestor Abraham did 4,000 years ago. You and I cannot see the things that have happened over the history of mankind so how can we decide what is fair or not.

Answer 2

They will get a chance to know God. Today you cannot escape the word of God in Western civilisations, and if you don't get a chance in this life, God will give you the oppertunity to accept the gospel and the Lord in the next life.

The person in the house of murderers will still see adverts on the TV about the Bible and the Book of Mormon and what have you - they go out all the time, here, have a free this, have a free that etc. They will still go to school where religious education is a legal neccessity and they will learn about Christianity and other religions. They will still pass churches on the street with the total oppertunity to go in and ask questions. If they don't have the strength to that on this earth, then they will have the chance in the next life - God will not judge them without giving everyone equal chance. We are placed into the families we are placed into because there are things that only they can teach us - the child from the family of murderers will know things that the child from the christian family does not, and vice versa.

I was born into a Pagan family who have a great dislike of the church, and I still found God. Anything is possible if you want it badly enough.

Answer 3

I tend to disagree : the first person can very well decide to trust God for his salvation. It's not because you are born in a hypothetic family that is comprised of only murderers that you will become one yourself. Many people who had been brought up in disfunctional families became very religious later in their life.

Same thing for those who were born in Christian homes. I know plenty of people who were brought up by Christians and yet have drifted away from Christianity.

Anyway, what you should always remember is that the fact that even ONE of us can be saved is proof that God is not unfair. In theory, considering all the sins we all commit, he would be entitled to sending us ALL to hell. But, because he is merciful, he instead sent his son to give us a way to be saved. Think of it this way : if the governor pardons one person who is on death row, is he being unfair to the others who will be executed ? Of course not (they were convicted and should therefore be executed. Pardoning one of them does not mean you should pardon them all to be fair).

Mainworry : if people do not get the chance to hear about Jesus Christ, the Bible does not teach us they will go to heaven automatically, but is silent on the matter. However, if it were the case, why would Jesus ask us to evangelize all the nations ? If the indians in the middle of the rainforest are automatically saved, why bring them the good news (since then, they will be able to make a conscious decision and might reject Jesus Christ). Romans make it very clear that ignorance is not excuse. Anyway, this moot is mostly moot today since just about everyone can decide whether or not he wants to accept Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Everyone is born in different setting, therefore God does not have same judgment for all. Let me explain, one that is born in a murderous family and that does not teach the bible, he will be giving many chances to hear about god and if he overcome all and accept god, he will have greater reward of his salvation. Now he that is born in a loving family teaches about god and does not accept god, he will have greater punishment and have less chances to accept him as his god. Lets not forget that God know all before we are born and who and what we will become.

Answer 5

Who said anything about God putting you there?? Let's not forget that Satan is the ruler of this world right now.... Which is why Christians are comissioned to preach the good news, all over the world.

Answer 6

the life of the apostle Paul is an example of the "fairness" of God
1st Tim 1:15 He says he is the "chief sinner". Jesus life death and resurrection were decided before he was born, he suffered unfairly for all of us...who are born unequally and are equally unequally to Jesus...he is all mighty he can do it all... it is not for us to limit his love...god bless you in Jesus name!

Answer 7

Why are you making such rash assumptions? If people do not ever have the chance to accept Jesus they will go to heaven/

Answer 8

Not equal in what sense? Skin color? Basic human needs?

Answer 9

Either God is an unfair bastard or their is no God.

Answer 10

A VERY hard question. I can't wait to see the answers on this one.