One is lost when he refuses to obey Christ and His word. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the words that I have spoken, the same shall judge you in that day" (Jn. 12:48). Another reason that some are lost is that they will not believe. "For if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jn. 8:24).

Others refuse to repent. "I tell you, Nay, but, except ye repent, ye shall die in your sins" (Lk. 13:3). Others will not confess Christ. If one denies Him here, Christ will deny them before the Father in heaven (Matt. 10:33). There are those who will refuse to be baptized. Christ is the author of eternal salvation unto all who will obey Him (Heb. 5:8,9). In the great commission Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mk. 16:16).

But now let us look at some things that will cause one to be lost after having accepted and completed the requirements set down by Christ to become a Christian.

1. Works of the flesh. Paul gave a long list of these in Galatians 5:19-21 and then added, "they who do such thing shall not inherit the kingdom of God." "For to be carnally minded is death" (Rom. 8:6).

2. Love worldliness. John said, "The whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19). "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).

3. Not being faithful. "For if we willfully sin after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Heb. 10:26). Again, "For if, after they have escaped the defilements, of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first" (2 Pet. 2:20). "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:4).

If you are interested in losing your soul, the devil is always busy and eager to be of service, and provide a way. It is not necessary to do all these things to be eternally lost; any of them can cause one to be lost. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all" (Jas. 2: 10). Peter said the devil is as a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

In the last day many will come, expecting to get into heaven; but our blessed Lord tells us: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, p. 632
October 18, 1984