Author: Archie Souder
This is a vital question I want every reader to ask yourself with carefulness. In Psalm 142:4, David seemed to be asking himself this question, and said no man cared for his soul. It seems he felt that way, but let us see if hew as not mistaken about it. Now, first let us notice this question: “If I die and go to hell, who cares?” We know that it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. So, this being a sure appointment that we shall all meet God, the question is this: If I die and go to hell, who cares?
Almost every day we read about people who seem to think that no man cares for them, thus they commit suicide, taking their own lives, commit crimes, etc., seemingly thinking that no one cares for them and their soul. Let us see what the Word of God says about it.
First, let us go back to the beginning when God made the first man and woman. We find that God made man out of the dust and breathed the breath of life in him and he became a living soul, which will never die. The body will go back to dust, but the spirit (soul) will return to God, who gave it, and will live on and on in eternity in heaven or hell.
1. GOD CARES:
God so loved the world (people) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish (or go to hell), but have everlasting life (in heaven). John 3:16.
Dear reader, did you ever stop to think this text over? God so loves you that He gave His only Son for you that you might not go to hell. Keep in mind the important question, as we let the Bible answer it for you.
2. JESUS CARES:
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavenly laden and I will give you rest.” In Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of Man is come to save that which is lost.”
Dear one, the Son of God came down from heaven to save you from being lost and going to hell, and He gave His life’s blood in the most cruel manner, the death of the cross, for you and me and every living soul. Have you ever given this serious thought, as you should?”
3. HEAVEN CARES:
“I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Heaven cares for your soul! Think of all the loved ones and the faithful who have gone to heaven back through the ages. When just one sinner repents they rejoice over it. Heaven is interested in your soul. Dear sinner friend, had you though on this before now?
4. THE ANGELS CARE:
Yes, the angels care and are concerned-about you! “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. Remember, how the angels of God came down and sang the song to the shepherds to announce the birth of our Savior? They care if you die and to hell. Surely, your souls is more valuable than you might have thought, isn’t it?
5. THE SPIRIT CARES:
In Revelation 22:17, we are told that the Spirit says, “Come.” Yes, the Spirit of God cares for you, and, oh, how faithful the Spirit is to strive with man. No doubt you can recall many times when the Spirit pleaded with you. Perhaps, at some revival meeting or in the wee hours of the night, you were awakened and the Spirit pleaded with you to give your heart to God, and you turned Him down, and again he would come back many times to plead with you. Dear reader, take heed how you deal with the Spirit and be thankful that He will come back from time to time. Maybe He will be talking to you while you read this tract. If so, do not turn Him away, for he may never come again. God said, “My Spirit will not always strive with man.” Yes, the Spirit cares for your soul.
6. THE BRIDE CARES:
“And the Spirit and the BRIDE say, Come.” The Bride cares. Revelation 21:9 and Hebrews 12:22 explain who the bride is. It is the church of God, which includes all saved people. So we can say that all the saved people in the world care. If you are lost, you probably have never stopped to think how much the Christian people care.
The first thing that a new convert does, and the first thought is-How can I get some poor lost soul to seek the Lord and get free pardon of their sins and escape that awful place of torment? Just think of the millions of Christians who have gone on before. over 55 million Christians gave their lives and were put to death in the most horrible manner during the dark ages, just to bring the light and knowledge of salvation down to us today, and they all had a care for your soul.
Dear sinner friend, maybe you have loved ones who have prayed earnestly for you for years. maybe they have gone on to heaven, but their prayers are still living on and the Lord has been good to you to spare your life because of someone’s prayers that you might not be lost. Many people give money that they need for the purpose of getting the gospel to lost souls. Some give their very lives in going to heathen lands far from home. And great efforts are put forth in many ways because people love your soul and do not want you to be lost. Surely, after all this, you ought to be the one most concerned, for it is your souls we are talking about. How about it, friend, have you ever given this matter the thought that you should? If not, why not? Start right here and begin to consider this as the most important subject of all your life now.
7. PEOPLE IN HELL CARE:
Friend, you may have the thought that there is no hell. Some people are teaching this today, but let us see what the Bible says about it. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.” According to the teaching of the Bible, Jesus, during His ministry, taught much more about hell than he did about heaven. Just as sure as you are here, friend, there is a hell, and hell is real and heaven is real. you are going to one of the two places. It is up to you to choose your destiny.
Let us read Luke 16, beginning with verse 19. Jesus said, “There WAS”-this is not a parable-“a certain rich man which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”
Friend, this is a picture of the regions of hell. yes, the rich man had all he desired in this life. poor Lazarus did not have much in this life, but now he is in heaven, but look at the man who fared sumptuously and lost his soul. And, say, friend, that rich man is still there today crying for water, but sad as it is, he can never get out of this place forever and forever. Think of it.
Now let us go on with this picture in verse 25, “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Yes, the rich man could remember all things that he did and had and all the people he knew back here in this life, all the times the Lord gave him a chance to repent and all the luxury he enjoyed here. He could remember it all, but it was too late. What an awful picture this is. Now the most important part of this picture is the 27th verse, “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, let they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Now, friend, did you ever stop to think that the people who are in hell do not want you there? See how this rich man was pleading for his five brethren who were still here in this world, and didn’t want them to come to such a place. You may have some friend or relatives who have been lost. They may be pleading with Father Abraham for you not to come there. yes, friend, if you go there, you will be an intruder. Sad to say, but millions are plunging into this awful place every year, month, week, day and hour. Surely this ought to be enough to wake you up and cause you to begin at once to escape this place.
Now let us review this question, If I die and go to hell, who cares?
Answer #1-John 3;16. God cares.
Answer #2-Matthew 18:11. Jesus cares.
Answer #3-Luke 15:7. All the people in heaven care.
Answer #4-Luke 15:10. All the angels in heaven care.
Answer #5-Revelation 22:17. The Spirit of God or Holy Ghost cares.
Answer #6-Revelation 22:17. The Bride, or all the saved people care.
Answer #7-The people who are in hell care.
Now, friend, the most important question of all is: DO YOU CARE?
No doubt, you will say, why, surely I care. But, sinner friend, how much do you care? If you care as you should, you will not let the sun go down or rise again until you make your preparation to meet the Lord in peace. Jesus said, “If you die in your sins, where I am you cannot come.” you have no promise of tomorrow. We see people die at all ages, young and old, so you should humble your heart to God and repent of yours sins and accept Christ as your Savior and let Him come into your heart and He will speak peace to your soul. Then you will be the happiest in all your life and will be ready to meet Jesus in peace and will escape the awful torments of hell. “Be ye also ready, for in such an hour that you think not, the Son of Man cometh.”
