Why Many People Are Not Saved
Each day countless individuals die lost. To be lost is to be alienated from God (2 Thess 1:9). To be lost is to have no hope (Eph 2:12).
The horrible part is that most people die lost (Matt 7:13-14).
Why do so many individuals die lost?
They Do Not Believe They are Lost
Many think they are too good to be lost. They know they haven’t committed horrible crimes. These are good, moral people. They make wonderful neighbors and friends. There is more to Christianity, however, than being a good, moral person.
Many believe that God will save everyone. The Bible does not teach this. In the great judgment scene, many are sent to eternal torment (Matt 25:46).
They Do Not Believe
Satan comes and snatches the seed so that they will not believe (Lk 8:12).
These individuals are too sophisticated to believe–they place their faith in what they can see, not in God.
There is no hope for one who does not believe (Mk 16:16; Jn 8:24; Heb 11:6).
Do you believe?
They are Trusting in Faith Only
Many individuals believe that faith is all that is necessary for salvation.
The Bible teaches that more than faith is necessary for salvation (Js 2:24, 26).
Noah was saved from the Flood because he acted in faith (Heb 11:7).
One must obey to be saved (Matt 7:21; Heb 5:9).
They Love Sin
Sin is pleasurable. Were sin not pleasurable, we would not commit sin. Hebrews 11:25.
People love sin (Jn 3:19; 1 Jn 2:15).
Do you love sin?
They Love Human Praise
Many rulers believed in Jesus, but loving the praise of men, they refused to obey Jesus (Jn 12:42-43).
One cannot love the praise of men and be a Christian. If one really wants praise from men, he must act in a manner inconsistent with Christianity. One must turn his back on society if he wants to be a Christian.
They Have Been Blinded
If one does not love the truth, God blinds his/her eyes (2 Thess 2:11-12; 2 Cor 4:4).
Have your eyes been blinded?
They Become Unfaithful
One who is a child of God can fall from grace (Gal 5:4).
If we fail to add the Christian graces to our lives, we will stumble (2 Pet 1:5-10).
Are you on the way to becoming unfaithful?
They Will Not Read and Investigate the Bible
Unless one reads and investigates the Bible, he will not be saved. The Scriptures testify of Jesus (Jn 5:39). Those in Berea searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas were saying was true (Acts 17:11).
Are you reading and investigating the Bible?
They Want to be Their Own God
So many want to make up their own rules for life. They want to say that baptism isn’t essential to salvation. They want to say that women can preach as well as men. They want to say that it doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you’re sincere.
Jeremiah 10:23.
Many want to come to the Lord on their terms, not his. John 5:30. Luke 22:42.
Many Trust in Feelings to Assure Them of Salvation
Many believe the wonderful feeling they have will save them.
However, feelings cannot be our guide. Proverbs 14:12. Paul thought he had to persecute Christians (Acts 26:9). Paul lived in “all good conscience” (Acts 23:1).
Many Will Not Give up the Religion of Their Parents
Many believe that the religion of their parents should be followed even after learning better. They believe that because Mom and Dad did things this way it must be right. Many believe that if they do what is right it will send their parents to hell—But what we do doesn’t affect the destiny of the dead.
If one is to be true to God, he may need to give up the religion of his parents. The one who loves parents more than Jesus is not worthy of Jesus. If loved ones are in torment, they don’t want you to go to that place (Lk 16:27-28).
Conclusion
Indeed, many die lost.
There is no good reason to die outside of Jesus.
Are you going to be lost?
This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Owingsville church of Christ in Owingsville, Kentucky.