What Must I Do to Be Lost Forever?

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 5
What a question! Have you ever wondered about it? Then have you thought, “That has nothing to do with me! I’ve lived a pretty good life and done the best I could. In fact, I’m a good person!”
Some people think you must commit a great number of sins to be lost forever. Others think that only very bad crimes matter; “little sins” (little white lies, perhaps) just don’t count. But the way to be lost is much easier than that! It’s all wrapped up in one single word: NEGLECT. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)).
You need only to go on living carelessly and indifferently, neglecting not your duties, but this great salvation, and you will be lost—lost forever.
God is now offering salvation by Christ Jesus to this sad, sin-blighted world. He is telling of a salvation which His grace brings for all men, a salvation which makes no conditions and makes no demands. It is for all. Based on the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is suitable for all people in their deep and desperate need. Then, to be lost forever, simply close your ears to this glorious gospel and neglect this great salvation. You may do anything, be anything, say anything-only continue to neglect this great salvation and your doom is certain.
Now let us look at the other side: “What must I do to be saved?” The answer is so simple: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:30-3130And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30‑31)).
When? The moment you believe.
Where? Just where you are, as you read this.
How can I know I am saved? God says so in His Word; you have it on divine authority.
The Lord Jesus Himself: “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).