The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-08-23

are not lnc0rrlglDly wicked and de-
PRAYED will be saved also. Even some
who are recognized as evangelical
teachers say that the number of the
saved will be very much greater than
the lost.
AS it is only in the Scriptures that
we have any information about the
subject of salvation, it is the part of
good judgment and common sense to
inquire what the Bible teaches as to
the number of the saved.
I. In the first place with some sal
walton depends in their view upon
meeting certain moral obligations. If
there is any moral obligation at all, IL
is enjoined in book that says there
Is none that doeth good, no not one.
All have sinned ard come short of
the glory of God. All have gone astray
and every man has turned to his own
way. If man says he has no sin, he
deceives himself and the truth is not
in him.
2. The conditions of salvation as
outlined in the Scriptures are so diff
ficult of fulfilment that man does not
love them. 1t being accepted that there
is none that doeth good, there Is none
excepted from the conditions laid
down. in the Word of God, the leaving
of all to follow Jesus, the renouncing
of the world and the acceptance to
meet these conditions, which imply al
so the recognition Of Jesus Christ as
the Son of God and the only Savior Of
man. If confessing Christians were
polled and each examined as to his
personal relationship to Jesus Christ,
1t would be found that large num-
Der, possibly the majority, could not
stand the test.
s. Let us note carefully the state
ments of Scripture as to the relative
number of the saved. In the Old Tes-
lament the prophet asks, "Can the
Ethiopian change his skin or the
leopard his spots? Then may We also
do good that are accustomed to do
evil" Jesus said on one occasion,
"Many are called but few chosen"
On another occasion he said, SIT
is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for a rich
man to enter into the kingdom OF
God" This prompted the question of
his disciples, "Who then can be
savedw
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus
said, straight is the gate and mar
row is the way which leadeth unto
life and few there be that find it." in
answer to the question, "Are there
few that be savedw Jesus replied.
"Strive to enter in at the straight
gate, for many, say unto you, will
seek to enter and shall not be able"
There is an echo of this teaching in
the words of Peter, eff the righteous
scarcely can be saved, where shall the
ungodly and sinner appear" This
was to say if it is with the greatest
difficulty that the righteous are. saved
the chances of the ungodly are very
| few, We have also the teaching OF
| the Lord as to some who will come
before him at the great day of Judg
ment and say, "We have eaten anc
drunk in thy presence and in tiny
name done many wonderful works,
but he will say, 81 never knew you
Taking these conditions together
| there is more than an intimation thai
man falling short Of the conditions
should look upon his chances of be
| ing saved as comparatively small. II
| It Isl true, as Jesus said that he thai
believeth not on the Son Of God shall
not see life and that a man must be
lieve on Jesus Christ in order to have
everlasting life, it is likely that the
vast majority Of the people among u'
are not saved.
Jesus not only taught us that the
gate is straight and the way marrow
that leadeth to everlasting life, bu
he also taught that the way leading
to death is wide and many as com
pared to the few on the narrow wal
are in it.
Drift into salvation is impossible
The will of man needs to be exer
cised in order to escape eternal per
dition. To be saved a man must us'
his will definitely, Immediately flee t.
Jesus Christ and accept him a
| Saviour.