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Neglect of the Gospel


 “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:1-4 (ESV)

Too many today have drifted away from the truth of God’s Word, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the result has been lack of spiritual growth and many false conversions. We must pay closer attention to God’s Word; for if we do not, we will drift away from the truth of the gospel. Since Jesus is God and therefore supreme, we ought to pay very close attention to His Word and His gospel. Even though we may not feel the importance of His words, we must heed them still. Many times we get so busy, attracted by the pleasures of this world, but we must heed the Word of Christ, lest we fall away. Albert Barnes says in his commentary on this passage, “It needs not great sins to destroy the soul. Simple neglect will do it as certainly as atrocious crimes.” Today we are blessed with the privilege of having easy access to God’s Word. We must pay closer attention to it, or we will fall away. 

           This passage provides us with motives and reasons to pay closer attention to the gospel and God’s Word:

  1.       Lest we drift away (vs. 1)
  2.      The message the angels brought was reliable. How much more reliable is the message of Christ! (vs. 2)
  3.      When the message the angels brought wasn't heeded those who did not heed it received just punishment—how shall we escape if we neglect the gospel? (vs. 2-3)
  4.      Those who heard Christ (the Apostles) bore witness to the truth. (vs. 3)
  5.      God performed signs and wonders and gave the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the truth of the gospel. (vs. 4)
         So then, let us pay closer attention to God’s Word, the Bible! We should be men and women of the Word, not following every fad and new doctrine, but following Christ and proclaiming His gospel to the lost. 

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