Three Reasons to Evangelize - Part 2
By Bro. John Burns

II Corinthians 4:3
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"

The second reason for Christians to evangelize is because of the consequences the lost will face if not evangelized. 

The first and most obvious consequence of not telling others of the forgiveness of sins offered only through Christ is the sinner’s condemnation to the Lake of Fire for eternity (Rev. 20:15; 21:8)

The Scripture is abundantly clear that no man can come to the Father but through the Son (John 14:6).  It is He alone that can purge men from their sins (Heb. 1:3) and make us a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) as opposed to the old sinful man that was in Adam (1 Cor. 15:22).

The reason all men need Christ is because all men are sinners from birth. Romans 5:12 explains to us that “…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:” Every man that has ever lived, save Jesus Christ, has been born with a sin nature and proves their sinful nature by the acts of sin committed throughout his or her life. 

Some may question exactly what sin is so God defined it for us in the Bible.  1 John 3:4 reads “…for sin is the transgression of the law.”  The word transgression is a very picturesque word.  It means to go beyond the boundaries that have been established.  The established boundaries set by God, known as God’s law, are recorded in His word.  It is within theses boundaries that man is to conduct himself, and when any act of man violates or transgresses them it is considered sin against God. 

Romans 5:20 tell us that “…the law entered that the offence (sin) might abound.”  A question that one might ask would be, ‘why would God want sin to abound?’  The answer is so that man would seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.  God gave the law so that it would be overly and abundantly clear that every man has broken God’s law and has fallen short of His glory (Rm. 3:23).  Because of God’s holiness, these actions of violating God’s law (sin) demand the judgment of God upon the deed and the doer. 

Romans 6:23 clearly identifies the punishment for sin and yet gives God’s remedy also.  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  The word death used in verse 23 is more than physical death seeing the latter part of the verse is speaking of eternal life and not just physical life.  If we consider what happens at death we would understand that death is a separation or the absence of life. 

It must be understood that the Bible speaks of two deaths.  The first being a physical death whereby the body is separated from its life or the body becomes absent of its life.  This death is easily understood because it is observed by many throughout life as friends and loved ones die.  The second death, which many are not as familiar with, is recorded for us in Revelation 21:8 in which a person is cast into the lake of fire.  This is an eternal judgment in which the person will eternally be separated from God, who is life and the giver of life (Gen. 2:7; Jn. 14:6; 1 Jn. 5:12).

Some may say: what of those who never heard of Jesus Christ?  What will happen to them?  This answer too is clear, howbeit very disturbing.  Regardless if a person has had the opportunity to receive Christ or they have not had the opportunity to receive Christ; the only way for them to obtain forgiveness of their sin toward God is through Christ and Christ alone.  Romans 2:11-13 reads: “For there is no respect of persons with God.  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” 

Man must either keep all the law without ever offending God through breaking it, or he must receive the forgiveness of sins offered by God through Christ.  Since it is abundantly clear from the Scripture that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory, then all are in need of forgiveness of our offenses toward God.  God’s only prescribed way for forgiveness is through the shed blood of His dear Son, Jesus Christ.  Therefore, seeing the consequence of not evangelizing is a matter of eternal death, it is imperative that Christians evangelize the lost. 

If the lost do not hear of Christ then how can they receive Him (Rm. 10:13-14)?  If they do not receive the forgiveness of their sins, then when the judgment of God comes after death (Heb. 9:27) they will be found guilty of violating God’s holy law and thus be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.    “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15)   

Is the consequence of the lake of fire enough for you to witness to the lost of the love and saving grace of Christ Jesus?  Christian, will you tell the lost of the life that is in Christ before it is too late?    

Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."