Minority: Are you in God’s minority?
How many Christians are there in the world today? In answer to this, you’ll find all kinds of statistics about it. If you ask Google, they say over two billion. Do you think that’s an accurate figure? Is there any way we can know for sure? Are all who identify themselves as Christians truly Heaven-bound? Do you suppose there are some who think they’re Christians but are not?
The only way anyone can tell whether or not someone is a Christian is to find out what they’re depending on for it. What are you depending on for your salvation? I think you’ll probably agree that there’s a lot of controversy about all this. If you have any doubts about that, just look at how many different religious groups or denominations we have in America. Among professed Christian churches we have hundreds in America and thousands in the world. Are all or most of these people prepared for eternity? Please note something Jesus Christ said about this subject during His earthly ministry.
Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [Emphasis added]
Then we have more of His statements about this in Luke’s writing.
Luke 13:22-24
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [Emphasis added]
How many is many? Don’t most churchgoers you know suppose they’ll get to go to Heaven? I know we also have some who think everyone will get to go, but is that true? According to what we just read it is not. Only a few people are going to get to go to Heaven. Please note something else Jesus said in the time of His earthly ministry about this.
John 14:5-6
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [Emphasis added]
I’d say that’s quite clear. Wouldn’t you?
Jesus Christ is the Savior God has provided and it is faith in His provision that God has always demanded. But through the ages there have been different ways God has demanded for people to express their faith. For Cain and Abel in the Garden of Eden and for many people for a long time thereafter it was through the offering of a prescribed animal sacrifice. But we are told those sacrifices could never remove man’s sin problem.
Hebrews 10:11-12
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; [Emphasis added]
Here the writer of Hebrews tells us what was done to address this problem but mentions nothing about how this relates to actually acquiring personal salvation. For that we must go to the writings of the apostle Paul for a full understanding of this.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
Now salvation is gained by placing one’s faith in this One who made this sacrifice at the cross of Calvary for us.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [EUANGELION = good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
When a person decides to accept this work Jesus did, salvation is provided immediately and permanently.
But how many churchgoers and others are depending on this alone as the basis for their salvation and entry into Heaven? I’m afraid there aren’t many. All too often, even if someone knows this information, they’ll link it to some form of work, thinking that altogether it is the basis for salvation. In such cases salvation is not provided. One’s faith must be solely in Christ and Christ alone.
Romans 11:5-6
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. [Emphasis added]
None of man’s works are acceptable for salvation.
Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
Do you realize that if you will approach salvation in the correct manner you’ll be in a very small minority? If you have a problem with not being in the majority, you may never get saved, for few people are willing to accept this. If you refuse to follow the apostle Paul’s revelation on this, you’ve chosen to align yourself with God’s enemies and this won’t end well at all for you. Please notice Paul’s words of concern about this.
Philippians 3:17-19
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly [speaking of how they run on emotion, not facts], and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [Emphasis added]
What is this destruction Paul speaks of?
2 Thessalonians 1:8-10
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. [Emphasis added]
Yes, believing in God’s provision through Christ is all that’s necessary for salvation from this everlasting destruction. To end up separated from God involves everlasting punishment. That’s a part of why we talk about being SAVED. Just as Heaven is everlasting, so is Hell and the Lake of Fire. Never believe anyone who says you’ll have a second chance. This matter is all settled completely the moment you die. Either you’ve accepted God’s gracious provision for your salvation, or you have not.
As it has always been, man is faced with a decision on this. The decision is to believe or not to believe. And bear in mind that this believing is to do with what you rely on for salvation.
John 3:17-18
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [Emphasis added]
Believing in the “name” [meaning His identity as the promised Messiah] of this Jesus of Nazareth was the way of salvation then, but today it is all about His work on the cross, namely His death, burial, and resurrection. You must accept this work solely as the basis for your salvation. Only that will put you in God’s minority. If you’ve not done that, I highly encourage you to do it now. You can either be in God’s minority or Satan’s majority. As long as you’re alive you have a choice in this. What will it be? Because of His omniscience, He’ll know the moment you trust in what He’s provided. Won’t it be wonderful to have this matter settled once and for all!
