“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Life is uncertain; death is sure. “it is appointed for men to die” (Hebrews 9:27). Knowing this, we must prepare for eternity. Amos 4:12 states: “Prepare to meet your God.” Life and death are serious subjects. Therefore, the possibility “if I am lost,” is worthy of our best consideration. In Hosea 4:6, God states: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We cannot hide our heads in the sand as an ostrich.

If I am lost, I will not be alone. It is a pity that so many will be lost (Matt. 7;13-14). No one lives or dies to himself (Rom. 14:7). Eve was not alone in the garden (Gen. 3:1). The rich man desired his brothers not to be with him (Luke 16:19ff).

If I am lost, I will be lost forever. Jesus says in Matthew 25:46: “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Hell is eternal (2 Thess. 1:7-9). There is no chance after death. The idea of purgatory is false (Luke 16:19-31). That place will be torment, not songs of joy, peace, and comfort (Luke 16:23).

If I am lost, I will suffer double loss: the loss of joy and the suffering of anguish. I will trade joy, peace, rest, my associates, God and Christ for misery, despair, wailing, and darkness (Luke 13:28; Mat. 13:42).  This loss is irreparable and the suffering, eternal.

If I am lost, it will be my fault. There are many who do not desire me being lost. God does not (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). Christ does not (Matt. 20:28; 1 John 2:1; Titus 2:14). The Holy Spirit does not (Eph. 4:30). The angels in heaven do not (Luke 15:10). The lost themselves do not want me to be with them (Luke 16:19).

The fact is, if I am lost, I alone bear the responsibility for being lost. Jesus said, “whoever will” may come (Rev. 22:17).

How are we living today with those thoughts in mind?

• the late Wayne Holland
• from a sermon preached in Hiawassee, GA (1/6/1985)
• Roxboro, NC (3/18/1990)
  • • • • Henderson, NC (8/23/1998)