E. The Gospel Rejected

There are those people who initially embrace the Gospel message with enthusiasm and then walk away from the faith in times of trial. These are the ones described in the parable of the sower where the seed of the word of God fell on hearts that were compared to “rocky places”. (Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23) The apostle Peter describes certain people who received a knowledge of the truth and made some initial commitment to follow in obedience to the Gospel which resulted in some degree of observable change in their lives. However, these same people allowed themselves to become entangled in sin once again. Instead of seeking God’s forgiveness and repenting of this sin they were overcome by it and returned once again to live in persistent and willful sin, turning away from the gospel and a life of obedience to God.

For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. {21} For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. {22} It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

DISOBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL

There are others who turn away from the gospel message from the start and continue to live in sin and disobedience to God after hearing the gospel message. As we have stated before, God created mankind, and this world and everyone in it belong to Him. Each person is expected to live under the authority of God, keeping His commandments and living according to His plans and purposes. God’s will for people today is that they believe in Jesus, become His disciple and Love one another.

The New Testament in numerous places explains what will happen to those who reject God’s will for their lives and disobey the Gospel. The following verses need little or no comment as the harsh reality of the consequences of unbelief are clearly spelled out.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. {17} “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. {18} “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. {19} “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. {20} “For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. {21} “But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”……….. {36} “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:16-21; 36)

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? {5} But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, {6} who WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: {7} to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; {8} but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. (Romans 2:4-8)

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, {27} but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. {28} Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. {29} How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? {30} For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” {31} It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

“…the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, {8} dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. {9} And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power- (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

NEGLECT OF THE GOSPEL

Just as deadly as disobedience to the gospel will be, so too neglect of the gospel will have catastrophic consequences. In this case a person may come to know some of the facts pertaining to the gospel and have a measure of interest with “good intentions” to follow through some day in making a decision, however for a multitude of reasons the issue is neglected and crucial decisions are never made. Unfortunately, the end result for those who become complacent and neglect the gospel will be the same as for those who deliberately disobey the gospel. The following warning in scripture should be carefully considered.

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. {2} For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, {3} how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, {4} God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. (Hebrews 2:1-4)

Hearing the gospel, even with a sympathetic ear, is not going to do a person a bit of good when all is said and done. Each one must hear and act in faith and obedience to the call of the Gospel.

Jesus taught about the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man heard Jesus words and acted upon them, while the foolish man heard and did nothing. The result was disastrous for the foolish man.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. {25} “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. {26} “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. {27} “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

In light of these things there is only one sane course of action for every person – repentance and faith. There is no sinful pleasure in life that is worth the forfeiting of ones soul. The reader is reminded that the truth of God’s word does not change. The warnings given in His word must not be ignored. Each person must not let themselves be deceived into thinking they can escape the judgment of God if they disobey or neglect the gospel.

In closing let us carefully consider two verses from the proverbs of Solomon:

“For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,

And the complacency of fools will destroy them.

“But he who listens to me shall live securely

And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

(Proverbs 1:32-33)

Please continue to the next page where we will conclude this topic with, “The Gospel – God’s Love”.