Sermon Audio Archive

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 7/21/02 Radio Program

Question:

Is there a time when God will turn His back on us if we don't do His will, and it is too late to be saved? Where in the Bible does it address this?

Answer:

The Bible does mention times in which God's patience ran out with people. A prime example of this is in Genesis 7, when, after Noah had preached to the people and prepared the ark, there came a day when God shut the door (7:16). In other words, God's patience ran out with men, and as a result, God's wrath was poured out on the earth. Yet, please understand that as long as you live on this earth, you have the opportunity to be saved. The problem is, that we do not know when our life might end (Jas. 4:14), nor when the Lord may return (Matt. 24:36).

The Bible teaches that God wants all men to be saved (II Pet. 3:9), yet, the day of the Lord "will come"! (v. 10) When it does, there will be no more opportunities to be saved. This is why we stress the need for people obeying the gospel today, and right now (II Cor. 6:2). We encourage people to be saved while there is time and the chance for men and women to be spared from an eternity in Hell (II Cor. 5:10-11).

Yet, please understand that if someone is obstinate, and dies in his/her sins, it is NOT because God left that person, BUT because that person left God! We read many times of God calling to national Israel, and pleading for them to return, but they refused (Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 23:37). Further evidence of God's longsuffering, and calling people to repentance is seen in the church at Thyatira. "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds." (Rev. 2:19-22).

Therefore, let us understand that it is not God who turns His back on men, but men who turn their backs on God. He loves us and wants all to be saved (I Tim. 2:3-4). Yet, there can be a time when it is too late to be saved if one is obstinate, rebellious, and dies in his/her sins. Friend, do not do this, but yield to the Master's will, become a Christian (Acts 2:38) and live for Him all the days of your life (I Cor. 15:58).

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