As a gospel preacher, I'm expected to be able to answer questions. Many of these questions, I can answer easily, but there are times when I have to answer, "I just don't know."
I know the answer when someone asks, "What must I do to be saved?" God has revealed that one must believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24), turn from his sin in repentance (Luke 13:3), be willing to confess his faith (Matthew 10:32-33), and be baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38). Only then will his sin be washed away (Acts 22: 16).
I know the answer when someone asks, "How many churches are there?" The Bible clearly states that there is but one body (Ephesians 4:4) and that one body is the church (Ephesians 1:22,23). Jesus promised to build only one church (Matthew 16:18).
I know the answer when someone asks, "What kind of life does God expect me to live?" God has clearly revealed that he wants us to remain "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27) and different from the world (Romans 12:1-2), and to live "soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." (Titus 3: 11-12)
I know the answer when someone asks, "What about worship; what does God require?" It is clear that we must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). The scriptures reveal the specific acts of worship that are acceptable to God. He will not accept any substitutes for, or additions to, the worship pattern He revealed.
I can answer these questions because God has given me the answers in the Bible, but there are some questions to which I must respond, "I just don't know." For example:
Why did so-and-so quit the church? There are several possibilities. Perhaps they just lacked root (Luke 8:13). Perhaps they were choked by worldliness (Luke 8:14). If we are not willing to give up worldly practices and attitudes, the world will choke us to death. Perhaps some are unwilling to endure sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Paul told of some would quit because they wanted soft preaching. Whatever the reason, the result is always the same. Those who quit the church quit the Lord, and they are LOST (Hebrews 10:26 ff; 2 Peter 2:20-22)!
Why do so many members fail to attend Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, and gospel meeting services? These assemblies provide us with opportunities to feast on God's word and be filled with righteousness. Jesus said, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) Perhaps some feel they can grow without studying and worshiping (Cf. 1 Peter 2:2). Perhaps others just do not love their brethren. The Hebrew writer said, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works... not forsaking our own assembling together..." (Hebrews 10:24-25) Perhaps some simply do not love the truth (Psalm 119:127). Many other reasons could be added to this list of "excuses" brethren give. I just don't know!
Why don't church members give more liberally? Perhaps some do not understand that 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches us to give as we have purposed in our hearts and that God loves cheerful givers. We are to give in proportion to our prosperity (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Perhaps some are selfish. Paul commended the brethren in Macedonia because they "first gave their own selves to the Lord." (2 Corinthians 8:5) Others, perhaps, love money more than they love the Lord (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Colossians 3:5).
Why doesn't so-and-so obey the gospel? Perhaps the god of this world has prejudiced that person's mind, and he or she does not understand.
- When He described the Jews, Jesus said: "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should turn again, and I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15)
- Paul described others saying, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn (upon them)." (2 Corinthians 4:4)
It could be that, like the rulers in the synagogue, they love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43). Peer pressure has a stronger effect on some people.
It could signal difficulty with a family member. However, Jesus said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)
Whatever the reason, these judge themselves unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13:46), and will forever be separated from God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Several years ago, Brother Granville Tyler attempted to answer this question for a young preacher who had studied with a particular man for several months and become frustrated because the man had not obeyed the gospel. Brother Tyler said the reason he doesn't obey the gospel is simple, "He just don't want to." I suppose this is the best answer to the above question.
Preachers all over the world seem to have the same questions. I want to add my comments about two of brother Galloway's questions. The first concerns attendance at Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, and gospel meeting services. While each case is different, I believe a common thread-lack of commitment to living a Christian life--connects them all. How could ANY Christian believe it isn't necessary to be in the presence of their Father (God) and His other children (their brothers and sisters)? How can any rational person believe that three hours, of the 168 in a week, is too much religion! Explain how one who doesn't wish to meet with the brethren on these few occasions convince God that he/she wants to spend eternity with Him and those same brethren?
Why is it that people who hear the gospel over and over, and sorely need to obey, don't? On various occasions, I've searched, in vain, for the answer to this question. While no one, except those who are hesitating, can be certain, my conclusion is that these people often don't believe they're lost. If a person understands the meaning of "eternal separation" from God, the terror and ugliness of Hell, and the eternal bliss and beauty of heaven-it becomes a no-brainer. How do people convince themselves that they're not lost? How can people believe that "once saved is always saved" when the Bible clearly teaches that man can fall from grace? Both questions have the same answer-their minds are blinded to the truth. Why is that? I just don't know!!! (KMG)