THE TRUTH OF GOD AND LOST MEN
We discussed in last week's bulletin about the truth that God is not like man in that He does not lie. I would like now, in this week's bulletin, to continue to use that principle and discuss those that are lost. What we must see is that salvation is that which originates with God (Acts 4:12). No one can be saved outside of Jesus the Christ. He is the Savior of the body which is the church (Ephesians 5:23). If one is going to be saved then they must be in Christ. I find nowhere that salvation is promised outside of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. All efforts at evangelism must have this as its foundation. We desire, as does our God, for all men to be saved (II Peter 3:9).
If God states something, then is He able to do it or not? As we saw in last week's bulletin when God said He was going to do something, then that thing was done because of the power of God. If God says that certain things are true and those things turn out to be not true, what does that do to the nature and position of God? By way of example, God reveals that as a man sows that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Now is that true or not? Is it possible for a man to reap something different than what he sowed? If he reaps something he did not sow what does that do to the nature of God? God must be faithful to this truth which He revealed.
Those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly (II Corinthians 9:6). Is that true or not? May a man fail to give to God as he should and still reap the spiritual blessings of such a gift? God said through Isaiah that He was through with their solemn meetings (Isaiah 1:12,13). Many years later through the prophet Malachi, God once more challenged His people to a higher living. Malachi says that the people had wearied God with their words. Why would God grow tired of their words? Because they were words without meaning. They were bringing the very worse of animals for sacrifice. Yet they expected God to make their crops grow and fill their houses with wealth. The message from God was plain in both books. We receive from God according to what we give to God. The truth then about sowing sparingly is an absolute from God.
Now the matter of salvation. The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels (II Thessalonians 1:7). God does not lie and, hence, Jesus will return to execute judgment on the unrighteous. When He returns this time it will be in flaming fire. What is the purpose of this return? Paul declares it is in order to take vengeance. Take vengeance on whom? Paul answers on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ (verse 8). Does God lie? If Jesus comes and does not take vengeance then the nature of God is questioned. His integrity is based on the truth that He does not change and that He can be trusted (Malachi 3:6). All those outside of Christ who die in that state or those who are alive when Jesus comes back again will face His vengeance. Who are the ones who are under consideration here? Those that know not God and obey not the gospel.
What if someone is very sincere and works hard at studying his Bible and prays with great regularity? May such a one be lost? If one does not obey the gospel, then God has no choice but to take vengeance on the individual. What does it mean to take vengeance? Paul answers it means the person will be punished with everlasting (never ending) punishment (verse 9). What is involved is the person will be taken from the presence of God. Such language does not suit many of the religious world. They want a compassionate God who will forgive and accept them even if they have not obeyed His Son.
The Word of God is at stake. If He sets it aside for one soul then why not for 4 billion souls? I mean how could anyone be lost for anything? It is both frightening and comforting at the same time to realize that God means what He says. Frightening, inasmuch as He does not budge on what He said and comforting for the very same reason. Men will be lost for all eternity because they rejected the Son of God. Men will likewise enjoy the bounty of heaven because they accepted the Son of God. God does not lie. Heaven waits for those who obey the will of God.