Bible Studies

Where Have They Gone? Part 1

by Doug Laird 
08/07/26
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 When people pass away, it is often said that they have gone on to a better place, some after having fought the good fight. Sad to say, but according to such passages as Matt. 7: 13, 14 and John 3: 18, this is NOT always true, and will not be true for the majority of individuals who were, are, and will be here on Earth, during the Church Age dispensation (period of human history)!

Contrary to what God desires (1Tim 2: 4), and what most people want to believe, Matt.7: 13, 14 teach that only a minority of each generation of the Church Age here on Earth will be born-again (saved), and find themselves in the better place upon departing this world.

Scripture (Luke 12: 52) teach that even within a single-family unit, some may be born-again, whereas others will not. This is note-worthy, since in most cases, all of the family members likely went through (or were put through) the same “religious” activity, believing they had secured salvation in the process.

Q. What made the difference?

A. Some were born-again, and some were not (John 3: 5, 7)!

Even a passive look at the Christian Community will reveal that most born-again believers will not identify and engage in the “good fight” that Paul was speaking of in 2Tim. 4: 7. The “good fight” that Paul was speaking of calls for enduring all of the inevitable persecution, hardships, sacrifices, challenges, and adversity that will be (2Tim. 3: 12) the experience of everyone executing the post salvation life of Biblical discipleship.

Post salvation discipleship calls for the daily, ongoing, in- take and application of the Word of God to ALL that one thinks, says, and does, as one continues to become more and more conformed to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8: 29).

The majority of Church-going individuals are no further along the road to spiritual maturity than where they were six months, or sixty years, ago. In some cases, they are not being fed the Word; in other cases, they are being fed, but there is no application.

Unlike the salvation process, requiring a one time decision to believe when presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message, post salvation Biblical discipleship is an ongoing, and never-ending process.

The ultimate objective of post salvation discipleship is one’s participation in the Great Commission, that is, being used by God to evangelize and or to edify the people he or she interacts with in his or her individual, private, and social periphery.

Sad to say, but many “Christians” do not take their walk with God “that” far.

If they were honest, they would have to admit that they feel somewhat embarrassed (Luke 9: 26) when given the opportunity to share the unadulterated Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Bible Doctrine. They can openly discuss just about anything else, but when it comes to spiritual matters, they clam right up.

In this the devil is well-pleased.

The problem is that they, in disobedience to 1Pet. 3: 15, have not prepared themselves to defend their faith. Others know what should be said, but are more concerned about what people will think, rather than what God would have them do.

In such cases, they would be wise to repent (change their mind) and consider the warning of Luke 9:26.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels (Luke 9: 26 NASB2020’’

Some will try to self-justify their silence by saying that the spiritual well-being of others is none of their business, but God made it their business when He issued the marching orders of the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20).

Advancing disciples don’t have to go out of the country to find a mission field. All you have to do is close your eyes and open them again, and there you are! Your “mission field” is wherever you find yourself 24/7. This is what self-denial and picking up the (message of the) cross and following Him is all about (Matt. 16: 24).

When was the last time you, by word or actions, took a public stand for God or the things of God outside of your own little comfort zone of like-minded believers?

If participation in the Great Commission is not a regular occurrence in one’s personal walk with the Lord, he or she has been greatly deceived if he or she thinks he or she is “fighting the good fight” that Paul was speaking of in 2Tim. 4: 7.

The 2Tim. 4:7 “ good fight” is often misidentified with the day-to-day “other fights” that life in general brings into the picture, and is the common experience of both saint and sinner alike, here in the devil’s world.

Such “other fights” include, but are not limited to, one’s problems with health, marriage, personal relationships, hostile work environments, annoying neighbors, secular ambitions, family, people in general, fear, and finances.

Atheists and non-Christians share these same battles of life, but are not involved in the “good fight” of 2Tim. 4: 7, other than to support the opposition.

If not properly managed and prioritized (Luke 14: 26), these “other fights” can be the source of tremendous distraction from the one “good fight” of 2Tim. 4: 7.

End of Part One