"The Big Distinction."
[first posted 3/12/05]
http://ichthys.com 
 
Question:  
My question is about judgment day and how many people are saved. Is there a large difference between the number who find the right road in Matt. 7:12-14 and those who do not, or is the difference in number between those who do and those who don't extremely large? Also, what is true difference between these two groups?
Response:  
Here is how I would state the whole matter "in a nutshell":
1) How many are saved? ANSWER: Very few indeed:
For those invited [to salvation] are many, but those chosen [for salvation] are few.         Matthew 22:14
2) How are they saved? ANSWER: By God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ:
And having led [Paul and Silas] outside he said, "Sirs, what do I need to do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house[hold] too."
Acts 16:30-31
3) What is the difference between the saved and the unsaved? ANSWER: The saved are willing to repent and come to God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ; the unsaved are unwilling to repent and unwilling to come to God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ:
And this is the [basis for] judgment: the Light (i.e., Jesus Christ) has come into the world, yet men loved the darkness more than the Light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who commits detestable practices hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds be exposed [for what they really are]. But everyone who acts in accordance with the truth comes to the Light so that it becomes obvious that his deeds have been done in God (i.e., in accordance with God's will).
John 3:19-21
4) What is the difference in the eternal state of the saved and the unsaved? ANSWER: A very great difference - the difference between eternal life and the second death:
Truly, truly I say to you that an hour is coming, and is now [imminent] when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear it will come to life. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given authority to Him to render judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this [statement], that an hour will come in which all those in their tombs will hear His voice. For they shall come forth - those who have done what is good to a resurrection of life (i.e., those who have faithfully followed Jesus Christ), but those who have done what is worthless to a resurrection of judgment.
John 5:25-29
The differences between the saved and the unsaved are great in every way, for this is the difference between the few and the many, between the believers and the unbelievers, between those who are obedient to God and those disobedient to Him, between the living and the dead. And the fundamental basis for all these critical differences is a person's attitude to Jesus Christ. Those who follow Him in faith and obedience throughout their lives are saved and will live forever with Him in a glorious future of eternal life. Those who reject Him will not but will come into judgment instead.
I want to encourage you in your search for truth.  Stay strong in your faith in Jesus Christ!
Bob L.
http://ichthys.com