ALL had & have the same FREE opportunity to Mature in Christ. Forknowledge of the GodHead does not effect ones salvation either way, the CHOICE IS OURS TO MAKE! (They just knew the outcome in advance) Even the Gentile ones of Rom. 2:14-15!
Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Romans 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Romans 2 is only telling us we know right from wrong. We know most of the sins in our heart. And so many people who know nothing about God will live decent lives. My father was one such person. He lived his life to better mankind, he was kind and fair and more Christian than many who claim Christ. Yet unless God had mercy and saved him on his deathbed it is not likely that he will live with Christ.
How can someone accept Christ of their own freewill when they have never heard of Christ?
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
If Jesus told Paul that he needed to go to the Gentiles to open their eyes to receive forgiveness for their sins then how is it possible for someone who has never heard the gospel to become saved?
Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
To go even further how could a baby make that freewill decision.
God does restrain sin because if He did not we would destroy ourselves we are that bad off.
God gives people up to their sin I think that is what happens when He hardens someone’s heart.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Any salvation plan that requires us to do something would be unfair unrighteous and unjust. Because salvation would be dependent on us, some people would have an unfair advantage. Those that were raised in a Christian society would have an advantage over those raised in a Hindu or Muslim or Pagan society.
It cannot be because we are born with the knowledge Christ is the savior in our heart. If this was true There would be the same percentage of believers in every society.
No one will come to Him in truth unless He draws them. And everyone He draws Will become saved:
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Remember the paralyzed man in Mark? His friends lowered him down through the roof so Jesus could heal him. Instead Jesus forgave him his sins. He didn’t ask for forgiveness there was no freewill choice involved.
