Who Cares If You're Lost? Who Cares If You're Lost?“I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me: no man cared for my soul.”
How terrible the feeling would be to feel that no man cared! Well, you can believe it. There are multitudes in our world, in your country, in your city, that care nothing about whether you're lost or not. They have no concern for your soul! But don't get the idea that no one cares, because it isn't true. Many do care about your soul.
The Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Paul informs us that God “will have all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23), but he does take pleasure in those that are saved (Luke 15:10). His concern for all souls is demonstrated in the sending of his Son to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The apostle Paul informed us of the power and motivation of this demonstration when he wrote: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The Bible declares that “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6), and that Jesus tasted “death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9). I challenge you to read of the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, the humiliation of the trials, and the cruelty of the cross, and then say nobody cares! HE DOES CARE! He “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8) so that you might have hope! Jesus “gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6), and that includes you!
Jesus said that “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). He also said, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). Those who enjoy that heavenly bliss are eager to be able to share it with you when your walk in this world is finished.
In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus spoke of the incident with the rich man and Lazarus. This rich man was in torments and he requested that a message be sent back to his father's house: “For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment” (Luke 16:28). This man did not want his brothers coming to hell where he was. You may have loved ones who you feel are lost and, therefore, in order to ever see them again you must remain in the same condition. Understand this:
if they are lost in hell, they don't ever want to see you again!
The order was given, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This commandment is still being followed as demonstrated by the one who gave you this tract, but there are other ways in which this is also demonstrated. The many nights of sleepless concern, the countless numbers of prayers, the finances given for teaching materials such as this tract, etc. all demonstrate that the saved on earth do care about your soul.
This adversary of men will do all that he can to keep your soul if he has you, and he will do all he can to get you back if he has lost you. The Bible refers to him as “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9), and explains that he is the very father of lies (John 8:44). He will lie to you, deceive you, because he is the enemy of God and of all goodness.
If you don't care, then all the preaching, pleading, praying, and sacrificing on your behalf are in vain. You have the final voice and choice in this matter. We plead with you not to let the death of Christ be in vain for you. Do not turn your back upon hope.
The Bible teaches clearly that to be saved, one must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of sin (Luke 13:3), confess faith (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed in water) into Christ for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5). Doing this will demonstrate that you really do care for your own soul and that the care of God, Jesus, heaven's inhabitants, hell's inhabitants, and the saved on earth has not been in vain.
“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40).
“...Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Who Cares If You're Lost? by Jim O'Connor © 1994
Write for free Bible study course!
church of Christ
1004 East 16th Street
PO BOX 643
Kearney Ne 68848-0643
USA