Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Christ at the Campfire Will some people go to hell because of our inaction?

I heard a local minister mention something the other day, and I honestly did not know if this is biblical or not.

He said that we need to spread the gospel to as many as we can, because someone's salvation might be totally dependent on that one witnessing.

In other words, the idea is that we may enter Christ's presence and have Him tell us that if we had only listened to His Holy Spirit and reached out to cousin Joe, cousin Joe would have received salvation, and would not be in hell today.

Logically, I would think that if God knows there's a way to reach a man He will reach that man with or without my help. I'll lose rewards in Heaven for failing to act on the Holy Spirit's urging--but God will send someone in my stead to reach cousin Joe.

What does scripture say about this idea?

i'd say that minister was bustin' a guilt trip.

here's another thought: you witness to a fellow. the fellow turns down the chance - and never takes up the offer of grace until he's dead.

whose fault is it he's going to hell?

clue: not the witness.

Matt 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. KJV


Just do the best you can.

I think the scripture that gets used for this is in Ezekiel 33. I will produce it below just for reference. I have heard it preached, and not saying I go along with it.

Here it is:



The Apostle Paul alludes to it, I think, when he writes this portion:



I think both fish280 and RickyD hit it pretty well.

1.) It is not OUR inaction that sends a man to hell -- it is HIS inaction in failing to receive Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

2.) If the Holy Ghost gives you a kick to witness to someone, do the best you can, and leave God in charge of the results.

3.) At the judgment seat of Christ, we may shed a tear or two over the things we could have done for Christ and didn't. I guess we should think about what He has done for us, and realize ALL that means to us, and then just do as the chorus says,

I will serve him because I love him.
He has given life to me.
I was nothing before he found me.
He has given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why he died on Calvary
Your touch, is what I've longed for.
You have given life to me.

I will give my life for Thee.

amen!

Keith,

Thanks for the post. I didn't know what scripture that was being based on, but the phrase "his blood on our hands" was used, so that must be it.

Thanks, all, for replying.

Dan

On the day of the Great White Throne Judgment we the saved shall be standing behind the throne as the lost are brought in for judgment. I believe we will be extra witnesses for the Lord. Those we knew in life may say on that day that they didn't know of the grace of God, and we will be there to say that they did for we told them.

Undoubtably there will be some whom we did not mention the gospel to for wharever reason. They may well turn to us on that day and say "Why didn't you tell me? You knew this day would come; how could you not warn me of this?" I believe that this will be at least part of the reason that God will have tears to wipe away from His people, as Shootist stated.

Having said that, peoples' sins are what will send them to hell. We may lose out on rewards, even the soulwinner's crown, and may shed bitter tears for lost opportunities where witnessing and following the urging of the Holy Spirit to witness to someone may have led to a soul saved from hell, but people are commanded to repent and accept Christ. Their failure to do so sends them to hell, not our failure to witness.

Certainly Paul writes "How shall they hear without a preacher", and we are commanded to teach the gospel to every creature, but it is their sin not under the blood of Jesus that sends them to hell. There will be few indeed who only had one chance in life to hear the gospel. In no way am I minimizing the need of Christians to share the "Good news" of Jesus Christ, for we should take advantage of every opportunity the Lord gives us to be His witness, but I imagine that even in this subject the truth lies somewhere between the two extremes.

I certainly was not minimizing our calling, yea our commandment to be a witness for Christ. And certainly the verses in Ezekiel say what they say, and there is even a devotional application to those in the Church to be watchmen to the rest of the world. The trouble I have with that portion of scripture as applied to the Body of Christ is that it says we have delivered OUR souls if we have been a watchman. Well what if we fail to tell them? Do WE go to hell? Of course not!

Witness to everyone you can. Carry gospel tracts and give them to the grocer and the gas jockey etc. Visibly pray over your meals at work and in a restaurant. You'd be surprised at the comments that has brought from people and the opportunities to witness it has opened up.

I have even had people ask me what tune I was whistling when I was walking down the street. "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" There's a witness in itself.

My! You are a talented fella!

Hey! I can even chew gum and whistle and walk, but don't let THAT get out, or they'll want me to audition for American Idol.

Wouldn't that be Canadian Idle?

or Isle...............

Well, this Canadian isn't what you'd call idle. I'm running at the red line most of the time, what with two part time jobs and a full time ministry, about the only time off I get is to check into the campfire once in a while. :)O, and a little shooting, too.

Remingtons?

No SUCKS for this guy. Tikka, yes. Browning, yes. Winchester, yes. Ain't brave enough to risk taking a SUCKS to the range. Folks might think I was queer.

We already do think that.........

It's a free world, buddy. Help yourself!