We’ve all had the times wherein we’ve tried our hardest to help someone find interest in the Gospel and a desire to be saved. Most of those times, we’ve seen our efforts go without response. Folks, it is these times when people are rejecting Christ and the fact of redemption. It is those folks whose actions tell us that they want to be lost. Think of those who say they want to worship God, study His word, and have their eternal home in Heaven; but they will not spend any time studying with us to find out how. Actions most often speak louder than words (Romans 2:17-23 and Titus 1:16). However, there are times when there are questions asked of us about the Scriptures, someone will listen, but their desire is not to be saved (II Timothy 2: 23 and Titus 3:9). There are those who do have questions about the truth, but those questions are designed to allow them to reject the Lord rather than obey Him. Notice: “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him… The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her... Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?... And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him…. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” (Matthew 12:9-10, Matthew 22: 23-28, Matthew 22:35-36, Mark 10:2, and Luke 20:20-22). Similarly to what Jesus faced, we too have faced questions which really are designed to allow someone to reject the truth. The old “where did God say I can’t?” question is designed for that purpose. How about those in liberalism that ask “would God allow an orphan to die?” to justify the local church using the Lord’s money to support a children’s home? Think about those who’ve asked “what if someone slips and dies on the way into the baptistery?” in their attempt to deny God’s plain command for us to be baptized in water (Mark 16:15-16 and Acts 10:47-48; cf. I Peter 3:20-21). Think of those who ask “didn’t Jesus make water into alcohol?” to justify their drinking of alcohol. These folks ask this ignorant question to try and justify their continuation in the consumption of alcohol. When we point out that Jesus would have sinned had He made alcohol (Habakkuk 2:15), they’ll ask “well, if He sinned doesn’t that prove no one’s perfect?” Folks, Jesus did not sin (Hebrews 4:15 and I Peter 2:22-24). Further, the Scriptures are clear that we are not to consume alcohol (Proverbs 20:1 and I Peter 4:1-4) or even look upon wine in it’s intoxicating form (Proverbs 23:29-35). Yet, the questions would continue to try and find a loophole in God’s law. People often approach the word of God looking for a way out of obeying it. Let us be sure we are never of the mindset that looks for ways out of the truth. There are no loopholes in God’s word. You can however find many ways to pervert His word to the destruction of your soul and the souls of others (II Peter 3:16-18). What must I do to be lost is simple to answer, do what you want rather than what God wants (Proverbs 14:12; 21:2, Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 11:27-28, John 12:48, and II Thessalonians 1:7-9). |
| Volume VIII ~ Issue XVI ~ January 13th, 2008 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| “What Must I Do To Be Lost?” By: Brian A. Yeager |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| The Action of “What Must I Do To Be Lost” |
| The Flipside – Those Who Can and Choose Not To |
| Conclusion |
There is simply not one scripture in all sixty-six books of the Bible wherein we find
the question of this article today. Not once did someone ask Jesus, an Apostle, a
prophet, etc. “what must I do to be lost”. We know that there were queries on the
contrary part, seeking to know what one must do to be saved (Luke 18:18, Acts 2:37,
and Acts 16:30). In fact, even outside of the Scriptures, I cannot recall anyone asking
me or hearing of others being asked “what must I do to be lost”.
We have become very good at explaining what people must do to be saved. We
know the “five steps to salvation” (though there are many sub points to be made). We
can tell someone that they must hear the Gospel of Christ (Romans 10:17). Within that
teaching they must have heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:
14-35 and I Corinthians 15:1ff.). They must hear about the authority of Christ and about
the church (Acts 8:12; cf. Matthew 13:19). They must hear enough to count the cost of
discipleship (Luke 14:25-33). They must believe that Gospel which is preached to them
(Mark 16:15-16 and Hebrews 11:6). They must turn to God, repent, and do works
meet for repentance (Acts 26:18-20). They must confess that Jesus is the Son of God
(Acts 8:36-37 and Romans 10:10). They must be immersed for the remission of sins
(Acts 2:38), to have their sins washed away (Acts 22:16), to be born again (John 3:3-5),
to be put into Christ; into His body (Romans 6:3-6, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and
Galatians 3:27), etc. We are sure then to explain that faithfulness until the end of life is
required after you have been born again (Matthew 10:28 and Colossians 1:23). We
know how to give these answers.
What about answering the question of our article? The fact that this question is not
asked to us, and was not asked in inspiration, should show us how ignorant of a question
this is. I mean, who in their right mind would inquire of such a question as this? Who
would outright admit and want to know how to go to Hell? Yet, isn’t this question
posed, not in words, but in actions?
the question of this article today. Not once did someone ask Jesus, an Apostle, a
prophet, etc. “what must I do to be lost”. We know that there were queries on the
contrary part, seeking to know what one must do to be saved (Luke 18:18, Acts 2:37,
and Acts 16:30). In fact, even outside of the Scriptures, I cannot recall anyone asking
me or hearing of others being asked “what must I do to be lost”.
We have become very good at explaining what people must do to be saved. We
know the “five steps to salvation” (though there are many sub points to be made). We
can tell someone that they must hear the Gospel of Christ (Romans 10:17). Within that
teaching they must have heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:
14-35 and I Corinthians 15:1ff.). They must hear about the authority of Christ and about
the church (Acts 8:12; cf. Matthew 13:19). They must hear enough to count the cost of
discipleship (Luke 14:25-33). They must believe that Gospel which is preached to them
(Mark 16:15-16 and Hebrews 11:6). They must turn to God, repent, and do works
meet for repentance (Acts 26:18-20). They must confess that Jesus is the Son of God
(Acts 8:36-37 and Romans 10:10). They must be immersed for the remission of sins
(Acts 2:38), to have their sins washed away (Acts 22:16), to be born again (John 3:3-5),
to be put into Christ; into His body (Romans 6:3-6, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and
Galatians 3:27), etc. We are sure then to explain that faithfulness until the end of life is
required after you have been born again (Matthew 10:28 and Colossians 1:23). We
know how to give these answers.
What about answering the question of our article? The fact that this question is not
asked to us, and was not asked in inspiration, should show us how ignorant of a question
this is. I mean, who in their right mind would inquire of such a question as this? Who
would outright admit and want to know how to go to Hell? Yet, isn’t this question
posed, not in words, but in actions?
To The Faithful Who Read
This Bulletin:
I have recently lost financial
support from the church of
Christ in Cedar Park, TX.
This has put my family in a bit
of a bind. If you are a faithful
Christian and could help
support me in doing the
Lord's work (Philippians
4:11-17), please contact me.
My Email
Phone: 915-525-5794
Thank you,
Brian A. Yeager
This Bulletin:
I have recently lost financial
support from the church of
Christ in Cedar Park, TX.
This has put my family in a bit
of a bind. If you are a faithful
Christian and could help
support me in doing the
Lord's work (Philippians
4:11-17), please contact me.
My Email
Phone: 915-525-5794
Thank you,
Brian A. Yeager