2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, {8} In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: {9} Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:”
These texts indicate that there are those who will be lost. Matthew 7:13 indicates that MANY will be lost. Therefore, we need to ask this question: Who is to blame if I am lost? The question suggests responsibility.Someone is going to be at fault! Someone must accept blame!
Whenever a tragedy occurs such as a planecrash or a train wreck or even automobile wrecks; civil authorities seek to determine the fault and responsibility. The greatest of all tragedies is a lost soul. We, like the civil authorities, need to determine who is at fault.
First, we ask: Is God to blame? Is it God’s fault? Note that Peter said God is not willing that any soul be lost, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God would have ALL men to be saved, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; {4} Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:16) Friend, we can’t say that it’s God’s fault.
Second: Is Jesus at fault? The Bible says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he bedience by the things which he suffered; {9} And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus came to save sinners, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus is the giver of eternal life, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: {2} As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17:1-2). It was Jesus who commissioned men to go and teach salvation, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15); and “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19). We won’t be able to blame our being lost on Jesus.
Third: Will it be the fault of the church? What is the church? It is made up of the saved, “....the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).It is the church that has the responsibility to make known the wisdom of God, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”(Ephesians 3:10). The church is the house of God and the pillar and ground of the truth, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: {15} But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15). The church has the responsibility to teach the truth, but even if the church doesn’t preach the truth we can’t blame the church for our being lost. We have the freedom to search for the truth.
Fourth: Well, it must be the preacher’s fault? He has the
responsibility to preach the word, “I charge thee therefore before God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ,...; {2} Preach the word; be instant in season,
out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsufferingand doctrine”
(2 Timothy 4:1-2). It could be that the teacher is a false teacher;still,
we cannot blame the preacher because we have the freedom to find the truth.
It won’t
be the preacher’s fault.
Who, then, can we blame? Could it possibly be ME? My friend, no one else can be responsible. God and Christ have done their part. You can search for the church that teaches the truth. You can find a preacher that preaches the truth. That leaves only ME! The gospel has the POWER to save us, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Christ has offered you an invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Only you can make the decision. Only you are to be blamed if you make the wrong decision.
—John D. Cotham
Shady Valley, TN