Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 14, Number 48, DeMotte, Jasper County, 13 October 1944 — THE PASTOR’S COLUMN [ARTICLE]

THE PASTOR’S COLUMN

by REV. GEO. GOTSCH

Pastor of the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Union Township

When Jesus says, Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.” He gives His judgment of salvation or damnation for all times and nil men. Studying this word of Jesus, two questions come to our mind, namely, Why is unbelief such a damnable sin? and Why is it that faith alone saves? Jesus plainly states. “He that believeth not, shall be damned.” He refers to the gospel which shall be preached to all creatures (v. 15 There are members of the church which outwardly lead Christian lives, but their hearts are far from Him; they do not believe. Again, there are many men of this world who use their natural power of self-control and good judgment and lead a decent and respectable life. Yet they do not accept and believe the gospel of salvation. That which makes unbelief such a damnable sin is the refusal to accept the grace of .God. Man is by nature totally corrupt and o can not by his own efforts obtain eternal salvation. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, God has prepared the way to heaven and offers it in the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone who believes. The unbeliever within or without the church rejects this soul saving gospel and consequenty his unbelief is a damnable sin. And why is it that faith alone saves? God has concluded all mankind under the sin of unbelief (Rom. 11:32 and Gal. 3:22). They are all alike. And He offers to all alike the grace obtained by Jesus Christ. The thing for every sinful man to do, is to come as a repentant sinner before God and accept His pardon by faith. Therefore Jesus said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) It is a sad truth that all unbelievers should be damned, but it also is a comforting truth that all believers may join St. Paul in saying, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. (2 Tim. 1:12). Sunday School at 10:00, service at 10:45.