Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
September 3, 1970
NUMBER 17, PAGE 3b

Why Are People Lost?

Forrest Darrell Moyer

God speaks through his chosen Apostle and declares that "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. . ." (2 Thess. 1:7-8).Those who obey not the gospel will be lost. But why are they lost? Someone says, "Simply because they did not obey the gospel." But I believe that the answer lies deeper than that. The Scriptures teach that man is lost because he is a sinner. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Rom. 5:12). The gospel was not given to condemn but to save. All people are lost because all have sinned. They are lost whether they ever hear the gospel or not. Some say, "Those heathen who have not heard the gospel will not be lost." But bear in mind, they are lost because of sin in their lives. The gospel is the remedy for that sin (Rom. 1:16). Hence, it is our duty to preach the gospel to all — not that they might be condemned, but that they might have the opportunity of applying the remedy and being saved.

This leads us to realize that if man could live a sinless life, he would have no need of the gospel — Christ would have died in vain. This, of course, is why infants or children do not have to be baptized — they are not sinners. But there is no one who lives beyond the age of accountability (whatever that is) without sinning. When he sins, he is dead spiritually — LOST. Why? Not because he has not been baptized, but because he has sinned. But there is a remedy for his sins. There is a way whereby he can be forgiven. That way is by the gospel. When one believes that Jesus can save and then obeys the gospel by repenting and being baptized, God forgives his sins and righteousness is imputed to the man.

Friend, are you "yet in your sins?" If so, let God forgive you by your acceptance of the gospel. Believe, repent, confess the name of Jesus, and be baptized today that your sins may be forgiven.

Christian friend, do your part in teaching the gospel to all whom you can that they, also, may know the joy of salvation. Use every opportunity to bring many people to Christ that they may be saved by the gospel.

— 10038 Rose Avenue Bellflower, California