Two, and only two, kinds of people exist in our world.
1. Lost people, and
2. Saved people.
Lost people:
1. Don’t know where they are going and don’t care, or
2. They think they know where they are going but are mistaken.
Saved people:
1. Know where they are going, and
2. Have definite directions and certain help to get there.
The good news for lost people is that Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 29:10). And those who accept Jesus by faith as their Savior immediately become “saved people.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
The bad news for lost people who reject Jesus as their Savior is they are lost both now and forever. They have no right direction for their lives. “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:19). And then at death, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
The good news for saved people is they are secure now and forever. Jesus said, “… behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). And “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).
The bad news for saved people is they still experience the difficulties of sin and a wicked world. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:25).
Life is still hard for saved people.
But saved people can live to honor God even though imperfectly. They live such a life now because God helps them. Jesus said, “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things” (John 14:26). Then, complete joy is certain hereafter in heaven. Life will finally be free of all sin and sadness. God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4).
There is no way lost people can live lives that honor God, even if they try. Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6).
And there is no escaping the judgment to come for lost people. “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the [saved] into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
Jesus came, Jesus lived, Jesus died on the cross to bear the punishment of sin for those who trust him, Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven and Jesus promised to return. He will return first for those who have trusted him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Then he will return a second time to “judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1).
“…these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).