[380 words]
We have all read the horror stories of terrible things that have happened to people. The horrors of war. The horrors of being kidnapped. The horrors of years of abuse. The horrors of dealing with a disease. The horrors of addiction to drugs or alcohol. There things are terrible. We would never discount them. We would never wish them on anyone.
There are some other terrible things that can happen to people that we do not think about nearly enough.
1. A person can reject the truth of the gospel when it is presented to him.
2. A person can accept the salvation that is in Christ, then turn away from the holy commandment delivered to him.
3. A person can intentionally make himself an enemy of the cause of Christ.
4. A Christian can refuse to properly deal with sin in his/her life.
5. Those in position of leadership in the church can be derelict in their responsibilities.
6. Individuals can sow discord in the body of Christ through false teaching or a desire for power, or by selfish ambition.
7. A person can fail to give urgent warnings to those who are lost in sin.
All of these things are horrible in nature. All of them have one end. The individuals will be lost. There is nothing worse than living a life on earth only to be lost in the last day. That is truly the worst thing that can happen to people.
This is why God sent His Son into the world. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). This is why God revealed the truth found in the pages of the Bible. “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:4). This is why God has commanded for His Word to be taken and preached to all men in all nations (Matt. 18:18; Mark 16:15-16). God does not want the worst to come upon any human being.
My friend, do not let the worst thing come upon you. Give heed to Peter’s words: “…Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40).
Victor Eskew
Oceanside church of Christ
Atlantic Beach, FL