Correspondence: Heathen Lost; Luke 14:26; Matt. 6:9

From: Young Christian: Volume 3, 1913

Luke 14:26 • 4 min. read • grade level: 6

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. 5:12-21¹²Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ¹³(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ¹⁴Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. ¹⁵But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. ¹⁶And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. ¹⁷For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) ¹⁸Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. ¹⁹For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. ²⁰Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: ²¹That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 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 Romans 1 and see the fearful downgrade that man has pursued. Against this wicked course the wrath of God is revealed from heaven (Rom. 1:18-21¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; ¹⁹Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. ²⁰For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: ²¹Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 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. 5:5-6⁵For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:5‑6)). “He is alienated and an enemy in his mind by wicked works” (Col. 1:21²¹And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 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. 18:11¹¹For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)). This passage is speaking of babes. In Luke 19:10¹⁰For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (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 10:43⁴³To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)) and none can be saved without Him (Acts 4:12¹²Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (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 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).

Ques. 72. Please explain Luke 14:26²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (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. 2:6⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6), Col. 3:1¹If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 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 17:26²⁶And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (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 11:2²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2), we read, “which art in heaven”, which is an interpolation. (See J. N. D.’s and other translations.) Luke 11:13¹³If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (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.”