Ques. 71. If a man is saved by believing the gospel, are the heathen lost who have not heard it? Would it be justice? R. B.
Ans. Adam's sin brought ruin upon all his posterity, involving all his race in the consequences of his defection from God (Rom. 5:12-21), but Christ died for all, and no one will be eternally lost because he is born a sinner, but because of his sins. He is a responsible being, and God is holy. Read carefully Rom. 1 and see the fearful downgrade that man has pursued. Against this wicked course the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. (Rom. 1:18-21.) It is for his sins every man will be judged. "Because of these things (their sins) cometh the wrath of God on the children of disobedience." (Eph. 5:5-6.) "He is alienated and an enemy in his mind by wicked works." (Col. 1:21.) Babes often die in infancy; death proves they are sinners by birth, yet they are not lost, because "The Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matt. 18:11.) This passage is speaking of babes. In Luke 19:10 notice the difference; there it speaks of a grown-up person, who has sinned: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Every person is responsible for his sins. Can he put them away? No. Nothing but the work of Christ applied to the soul can do that. God in grace sent His Son to die. All who believe on Him receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43) and none can be saved without Him (Acts 4:12). God in grace has provided salvation. If He gives the sinner justice, the sinner will be eternally lost. A guilty man cannot plead for justice, but he can own his sin and cry for mercy; he can be cleansed by the blood of Christ alone. (1 John 1:7.)
Ques. 72. Please explain Luke 14:26. E. G.
Ans. This verse teaches us that Christ is to be our first object. His claims upon us are greater than the claims of our nearest relation. We are not to own their authority over us above His. It is in this way only that we are to hate them. We are to put Him first, as dearer than our own life.
In the epistles, the believer is looked upon as being dead and risen with Christ. (Eph. 2:6, Col. 3:1.) This is the Christian position, consequently the Lord tells the believer all he is to do. It is the Lord that says, "Wives, be subject to your husbands"; "Husbands, love your wives"; "Children, obey your parents"; "Fathers, train up your children"; "Servants, obey your masters"; "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal." Thus the Lord gives us back those relationships to live in for Him. This puts Him first.
Ques. 73. Are expressions such as "Heavenly Father", "Our Father which art in heaven", in relation to an earthly people? And in John's gospel, "the Father", "the world", "not of the world as I am not of the world", refer to a heavenly people? R. B.
Ans. When the Lord Jesus came into this world, He began the revelation of God as Father. In John 17:26, He says, "I have declared unto them Thy name", which refers to His lifetime on earth; "and will declare it", goes farther, and takes in the full revelation of Christianity. In the first two gospels we have such expressions as "Heavenly Father", and "Your Father which is in heaven". These would apply to an earthly people. In Luke 11:2, we read, "which art in heaven", which is an interpolation. (See J. N. D.'s and other translations.) Luke 11:13 should read, "How much rather shall the Father who is of heaven," or "who from heaven will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.”
So that Luke and John were writing more in view of the present time, when every Christian has the Holy Spirit and says, "Abba, Father." (Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:6.) In all the Epistles we see this nearness and heavenly character. We are children of God and enter within the veil. We are also to be with the Lord in heaven, we share His place there. (John 14:1-3; 1 John 3:1; Eph. 2:18; Heb. 10:19.) This place was given to the disciples first when Jesus rose from among the dead (John 20:17), and belongs only to the present period of grace. Israel and the Gentiles in the Millennium will not have it, they are the earthly people.