Articles From Our Bulletins
Loving the Word
Let’s start with a confession: Last week’s article on “Love and Trust” was at least somewhat foundational and preparatory for this one (and next week’s too). We needed to be aware of the importance of love and trust to any relationship we sustain before considering this question: “What is the single most important factor in determining whether one is lost or saved?”
Obviously, “sin” is the cause for anyone being lost- but that is not exactly the point of the question. Surely everyone sins, or at least has sinned, Romans 3:23; and sin separates us from God both here and eternally, Isaiah 59:1-2. But, it is also obvious that not everyone who has sinned will be eternally lost. After providing examples of sinful behaviors that prevent one from “inherit(ing) the kingdom of God,” 1Corithians 6:11 continues, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” “Sin,” therefore, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, is not the single most important factor determining whether one is lost or saved.
“Jesus Christ” must be the answer. Actually, it isn’t. Don’t get me wrong- no one can be saved without the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, Ephesian 1:7! But, Jesus loved and sacrificed Himself for everyone, Romans 8:32. However, everyone won’t be saved, Matthew 7:13-14. So, neither is He the real determining factor between salvation and condemnation.
Then surely the answer must be, “Truth!” The word of God must be the most important factor in determining whether one is lost or saved. After all, “The truth shall set you free!” Actually, quoting only half of John 8:32 has given many folks a false impression. Jesus’ whole sentence is, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” So then, the truth itself doesn’t set anyone “free” apart from his or her knowledge of and obedience to it. The truth cannot be the determining factor because the gospel is given “to every one,” Romans 1:16, but not everyone will be saved by it, cf. John 12:48.
And while we’re at it, no “church” is the determining factor as to whether one is saved or lost either. Of course it’s true that churches either teach Truth by “handling accurately the word of truth,” 2Timothy 2:15; or, they espouse as “their doctrines the precepts of men,” Matthew 15:9. But this, alone, does not determine whether or not anyone is saved or lost. Churches, through their faithful or unfaithful teaching, may well influence whether souls are saved or lost, but are not the single most important determining factor.
So, if it is not sin, Jesus Christ, Truth, or even a/the church, what is the single most important factor in determining whether one is saved or lost? Note carefully the specific reason 2Thessalonians 2:10 provides as to why “those who perish” will be lost: “because they did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved.” Please understand why this is the answer to our question. “Sin” condemns everyone because all sin, Romans 5:12; but we don’t have to live in sin, or even with its consequences, vv.21 – 6:23. Through “Jesus Christ,” God’s grace provides the instructions for all men to be saved, Titus 2:11-14; but instructions only benefit those who follow them. “Truth” indeed saves, but only when it is known and obeyed, John 8:31-32. The “church” doesn’t save anyone; it is the product/result of people being saved, Acts 2:41,47. But, we overcome sin through Jesus Christ when we know and obey the Truth, and are thus added to the church (the body of the saved). What is at the beginning of this string? What determines whether or not we progress all the way to salvation? Listen again to Paul’s words to the Thessalonians regarding those who perish: “because they did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved.”
As we indicated last week, any deep and personal human relationship must have love and trust as its foundation. We cannot build a relationship with God without these same elements. But how do we manifest love and trust to God, and have confidence in our relationship with Him? “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments,” 1John 2:3. It is not enough to just say we love God, Matthew 7:21; we must love His word enough to obey it.
Failing to love the truth so as to be saved” is the single most important factor in determining our salvation, or condemnation. Do you love truth enough read it, study it, and understand and obey it? Or, are you just giving “lip service” to your love for God and His word? Think carefully- your soul hangs in the balance.
- Loving_the_Word-1487097315.pdf (83.30 kB)
