will everyone be held accountable for their sins when they leave this world?

Question

i ask this question as a serious inquiry. what if a person had never heard the gospel of jesus? what if he never had a clue there was such a person? or maybe he might have heard of him, but b/c his upbringing, he never heard the real story, never had a chance to read a bible, nor did he ever have a chance to open his heart to jesus b/c he never really was exposed to any real gospel, nor anything supporting a decision to follow such a faith. most people follow christ b/c they read the bible and know the reasons b/c they are laid out directly. this happens all over the world: tribes in jungles, third world countries, and regions dominated by other faiths. do these people just "burn" b/c they don't accept christ as lord and savior? how can you be judged if you never have a clue, especially if you're a good person with a good heart?
i'm sorry this question is all over the place but hopefully you can understand the idea. any help clearing this up will be appreciated.

so far these are good answers. but to add more, if a person has heard of jesus, maybe even heard a little bit of the gospels, but happens to live in a muslim nation, should they be held accountable? i know most will say yes, but how can they be granted fair judgement based on their situation? if none of us had heard the gospel of christ, most of us would all still have our basic instinct of right and wrong, and fears as well. to a muslim, or any other person that is faced with other circumstances such as location or social elements, the christian faith is never exposed in a proper light. they know nothing of the love or judgement they may face. they have nothing to show them this for whatever reason it may be. if this is the case, then how is it different with someone who feels they have no viable reason to follow such a faith based on a scientific or historical reasoning. if you make the case for one, then where does it end and why should it end? some people need concrete evidence.

the last detail wasn't so much for my own information, but i know a lot of people who are agnostic, athiest, or follow different faiths might encounter such circumstances that may hinder a proper exposure to christ and his teachings. lots of people who do follow a christian faith do so from fear, or because they know nothing else other than that is what their parents told them, or any other reason that may not be considered proper. lots of people cling to many faiths out of fear, misconception, misinformation, and lack of knowledge. also, people turn from certain faiths for the same reasons. science and history contradict faiths, time contradicts faiths, and most of all faith can contradict faith. this has become less of a question and more of a discussion b/c i like what i'm reading and i think the more discussion and understanding we have in this world can only help.

Answer 1

we as human beings ,often try to put god's way of thinking and doing things in a way in which we as humans can understand.we forget that he is the creator.his level of thoughts and understanding and doing things is sooooo far above and beyond ours.we are not on his level.there are so many things in this life that doesn't seem right or proper but somwhere i read in the bible that everything ,is for god's glory...even the bad things.we may not understand the reason why ,but if you believe in god and his word then you have the hope and faith that everything in the end will be justified .that being said,accountability for those who don't know of the gospel is something that is between those individuals and god.those people will know what god wants them to know...whether it be in this life or the next.just think about it for a moment,as intelligent and creative as we humans are,physically we don't amount too much when you consider the vastness of the universe. now if you believe in god and you believe he created the universe,what makes you think that we as humans, have full understanding of him or his purpose.i believe that god will deal with us all individually whether we know of him now or in the next life.besides the bible does say that god is just,and i believe he is.

Answer 2

First of all, the Bible says that the wages sin pays is death. (Romans 6:21). This means that once a person dies, no matter what they did while they were alive, they will be absovled of that life once they are dead. However, this doesn't mean they go to Heaven or are brought back to life. Only those who lived a life pleasing God would have such prospects. Instead, those who deliberately sin will never live again.

Notice that none of this answers the question of those whonever knew God or had a chance to serve Him. These are called the unrighteous in the Bible because they had not proven themselves righteous. They are not wicked, because the wicked will be done away with (Ps 37:10; Acts 24:15). So, if a person never heard of Christ's teachings, or of Christ, or is unable to make an informed decision about him, they will have a second chance in God's earthly Paradise to do so. The deeds of the old life will be not taken into account, however whatever deeds committed during Christ's Thousand Year Reign will be the deciding factor for all (Matt 5:28, 29; Rev 20:4, 6) God is never one to be unjust, so He will take each person's individual circumstances into account. (Job 34:10)

Answer 3

Yes they will be held accountable. While it is unfortunate that people are held accountable even though they have never heard of Jesus, the biblical story has been passed to every culture since we are all descendants of Noah. This is why there are so many parallels of Christianity in animistic and other religions (like the flood story).
You can piece together Jesus life by what is recorded by other cultures without even picking up a Bible.

I'm sure that you have heard of people getting busted for a law they didn't know they were breaking. But the law is the law. Jesus gave us the command to preach the Gospel to all nations, so it is a certain amount our responsibility as well.

We know God exists because of his creation all around us. Also we have moral convictions like how we shouldn't steal or kill, this is pretty much universal in the cultures of the world.

Now we will all be judged according to what we know. Little children below the age of accountability get a free ticket. Also non-Christians will be judged less harshly (but they will still have sin separating them from God without Jesus). I also believe that people who are seeking but haven't had enough time if the die early will be given a measure of grace.

Answer 4

Everyone is held accountable but not in the way that you are thinking of. When someone dies they are shown all the things they chose to do in their life. Not the little things that have no consequence, but the things that have affected the lives and happiness of themselves and other beings. When they do so they are spiritually naked so they have nothing to hide behind. If a person has not practiced any self-examination during their life such an experience is painful and many will turn away from it. This refusal to accept the consequences of their actions solidifies their self-image as a kind of spiritual ball of negative energy that will eventually have to cleansed in a later life. Refusing to look is the true meaning of Hell. Conversely, if the newly diseased person knows how to examine themselves with calmness and compassion, even the viewing of horrific acts will not create the fear that blocks the cleansing power of contrition.
This is a deeper view of religious philosophy that transcends the Christian fundamentalist view that the gospel must be taken literally. Wouldn't Jesus agree that our daily life actions (intentional) carry much more weight than that of what we choose to believe or dis-believe, have read or not read, and what particular pew we choose to or not choose to sit on?

Answer 5

Your question is fine - and a good one.
For infants, there is/was an "age of accountability" where, if one passes before same, they would essentially get a "free ride" as eluded to in 2Samuel 12:23.

For the adult past this aforementioned age, there are differing stances - some rather harsh - citing man's sense of right and wrong and witness of nature and such.

All I can say is Christ is the final judge and we will all agree His judgments to be just and fair. If that includes a lot more "free rides" then hallelujah.

Response to your additional details. I have to agree, again.
If one is brought up in a 100% Muslim environment how could they seriously consider Christ? Don't know.

I'll be the first to shake the hand of whomever He admits.
Selah

Answer 6

I will try to answer fully!

Once you reach the age of accountability, you are under the law. It does not matter if you know the law or not, if you were born on a desert island, and live alone and never hearing the word, you live under the law!

If you die before the age of accountability, you enter heaven for you are not accountable!
If you accept Jesus as your Savior you enter heaven!

All else enter Hell!
Of Hell, it is not for ever! it is not even punishment! It is not the end!
There is a second Resurrection, and some of hell, may receive a 2nd chance at redemption, before the final judgement and the 2nd death!

Answer 7

That's a good question about people who have never heard of Jesus before their death. Scripture does not directly address this issue so I have chosen to leave it in the hands of God. He'll make the right decision.

But that has nothing to do with you or me or any of the other people who monitor this forum. All of us know of Jesus and His claim to be the Son of God. So the more pertinent question for us is will WE be held accountable for our sins.

Praise God that I can truthfully say that I will NOT be held accountable for my sins because though I am a sinner God's grace is so magnificent that Jesus took my sins on Himself so that I would not have to be held accountable for my sins.

Scripture says that if we walk in the light as He is in the light we are continually cleansed of our sins. Scripture also says that when God forgives our sins He remembers them no more. And the most wonderful scripture of all -- Romans 8:1 says "Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

So I guess my answer is -- it depends. Only those who have not claimed the name of Jesus Christ will be held accountable for their sins because they are not "in Christ Jesus."

Answer 8

Yes the bible teaches that we will all be personally accountable to God to be judged. God has given each of us a conscience so that we are aware of our sin. When we tell a lie or hurt another person we know within ourselves that it is wrong. The Bible says that if you know the law you will be judged by the law so people who have been offerred the truth will be held accountable for their actions if they choose not to accept Jesus.

Answer 9

i think they are even if you dont know god or never heard of him you are born knowing right from rong. but say a person is mental ill and they do not know right from wrong then i believe god would forgive them and teach them and after they have learned from that point on they would be accountable. if they dont know jesus in this life they will get the chance to know him in the next. god is a far god and hes not gonna just turn his back on a good person. every one will have a chance.

Answer 10

Yes, we all will be held accountable for their sins.

As for people who have never heard of Christ, only God knows how he will bring them to account.

God is all-powerful and merciful. It is possible--due to these reasons--that he will have mercy on those who never heard of Jesus.

Those that have heard and who have scoffed are another story. Those who have heard sometimes tend to scoff because they are worried about those who have not heard. This is God's business, though. If you believe that God has mercy, and that his justice is perfect, you can believe that he will judge those who have not heard in a fair manner.