To be lost is an eternal tragedy, and yet the majority of people in our world are lost. This is not something that has been true just in the last few generations, but this has always been the case. For example, when the flood came, only eight souls were saved in the ark (1 Pet. 3:20). I do not know how many people were on the earth at the time, but we can rest assured that many, many people were alive. Later there was a warning given to God's people which said, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil..." (Ex. 23:2). This would seem to indicate that most people at that time were doing evil. More than six hundred thousand of the children of Israel left Egypt, but only two adults reached the promised land (Joshua and Caleb). In the first century, only a few really followed Christ. On one occasion when His teaching did not suit them, we are told "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (Jno. 6:66). Paul, directed by the Holy Spirit wrote, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13). It takes courage to stand up for the Lord and His cause, and far too many people do not possess such courage. In fact, there are many today who are like some in the first century who when they heard a statement that Jesus made, "...they laughed him to scorn..." (Mk. 5:40). It is a shame, but most people are not willing to listen to our Lord as He speaks in His Word. The question arises, why are so man people lost when salvation is available? We will attempt to give at least some of the reasons.

MANY PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO GUIDE THEMSELVES. This is a great problem. The children of Israel were warned, "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes" (Deut. 12:8). Some seem to think that anything is alright if it suits them. In fact, I have asked people why they do certain things in worship and they answer, "We like it." It doesn't seem to matter to them whether God likes it or not. Jeremiah the prophet wrote, "O lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). Solomon wrote, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12; 16:25). Israel of Paul's day was "...ignorant of God's righteousness" and was "going about to establish their own righteousness" (Rom. 10:3). This means that in the place of God's commands they were putting their own commands. Does this not sound like many today?

MANY POSTPONE OBEDIENCE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE TRUTH. Evidently most people believe that we have a lease on life. Solomon wrote, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Prov. 27:1). Some other passages which have the same message are (Job 14:1-2; 16:22; Ecc. 12:1-7; Jas. 4:13-15). The devil's greatest weapon (to keep people lost) is making them believe that they have a lot of time yet, so there is no reason to rush into obeying the Lord. This works especially good with young people. People intend "someday" to get their life right with God, but as the old saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

MANY ARE NOT WILLING TO WALK THE NARROW WAY. Like it or not, all truth is narrow. It always has been and always will be. For example, the letters of the alphabet are what they are, and cannot be changed. Weights and measures are exact and anything else is wrong. The way that leads to heaven, according to our Lord, is "strait" and "narrow" (Matt. 7:14). Like it or not, that is just the way it is. Not liking the Lord's way, as stated earlier, many (if not most) want to write their own prescription, but this leads to eternal death (Prov. 14:12).

MANY ARE LOST BECAUSE OF FALSE TEACHERS. As was true in the first century, there are many false teachers in the world (1 Jno. 4:1). Elders have the responsibility "...by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers" (Tit. 1:9). Far too many elders go along with (endorse) false teachers rather than exhorting them and convincing them of their error. Not only must elders be alert to false teaching and strive to halt it, but we as members have responsibility as well. We are admonished, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). Not only must we not be involved in that which is wrong, but we must be willing to reprove those who are. Many feel that as long as they are not directly involved in error, they have no further responsibility, but according to inspiration (the passage cited above) this is not the case at all.

We must remember that only truth can make one free (Jno. 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:22). When truth is changed, it no longer has the power to save. Peter wrote, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Pet. 2:1). This is sad, but the impact that these false teachers have on others is sadder still. Peter continued, "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (verse 2). We must recognize that false teachers can be in the church as well as out of it. False teaching believed and obeyed will cause one to be lost.

MANY ARE LOST BECAUSE OF INDIFFERENCE. Indifference will cause many people to be lost at the day of judgment. Far too many just don't care. They do not care what is taught nor what is practiced in the name of religion. Rest assured, if we reject the commands of the Lord in life, we will meet them at the judgment. Jesus made it clear that we are going to be judged by His word (Jno. 12:48). He is "...the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9). John wrote, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. 22:14). Jesus asked the people of His day, "And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46). Jesus is not our Lord if we do not obey Him. It is said of our Lord that, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (Jno. 1:11). They could have, but they didn't.

God's grace has been extended to man through Christ (Heb. 2:9; Tit. 2:11-12),but it can be in vain. Paul tells why God's grace was not in vain for him personally (1 Cor. 15:10), and he admonished his brethren that they "...receive not the grace of God in vain" (2 Cor. 6:1).

In order to be a recipient of God's grace, you will have to obey the gospel, which is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16). Let your faith in Christ lead you to turn from sin in repentance, to confess Christ before men, and to be baptized for the remission of sins. Live a faithful life unto death, and you will receive "...a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Be among the saved-not the lost-at the day of judgment.

...Virgil L. Hale