Leviticus 5:17 NLT
[17] “Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.”
God based His instructions squarely on the truth that all mankind is born with His moral law written into their conscience.
Romans 2:14-15 NLT
[14] “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. [15] They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”
Together with conscience, God has given another equally powerful witness to His divine nature and power which He said, leaves people without excuse. Both Old and New Testaments declare the testimony of creation.
Psalms 19:1-4 NLT
[1]” The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. [2] Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. [3] They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. [4] Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.”
Romans 1:18-20 NLT
[18]”But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. [19] They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. [20] For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
There is severe judgment for those who ignore or deny God’s authority and live as though He doesn’t exist. However, He will reveal Himself to everyone who recognises His signature in nature and seeks after Him with an honest and humble heart.
Acts of the Apostles 17:22-28 NLT
[22] “So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, [23] for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. [24] “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, [25] and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. [26] From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. [27] “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. [28] For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’…
[30] “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. [31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13 NLT
[12] “In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
God opened His promise to Israel to the whole world through Jesus.
Isaiah 55:3-7 NLT
[3] “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. [4] See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. [5] You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” [6] Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. [7] Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”
God’s provision for the forgiveness of sin is for the whole world but only for those who acknowledge their sin and turn to the Lord in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.
1 John 2:1-2 NLT
[1]”My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. [2] He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”
Hebrews 11:6 NLT
[6] And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
But…
God’s word is clear. We cannot hide behind the foolish excuse of ignorance. We have the witness of creation and conscience to guide us towards the truth. If we continue in stubborn disobedience, we have only ourselves to blame when we end up in eternal separation from God.