The Unevangelized Heathen Gregory Koukl Sign up to receive Solid Ground free. Some people hear the Gospel and reject it, but most never hear it. Christians are ill-equipped to respond because they don't really understand something vital about sin and mercy.
Sin brings guilt.
Mercy is a gift. Anyone who is a sinner receives punishment he deserves. Anyone who is saved receives mercy he does not deserve and which is not owed him. The answer is simple. If he's guilty, the sheriff is justified in throwing him in jail.