THE GOSPEL REJECTED

The call of God is for each and every person to repent from sin and believe the gospel, the good news of God's forgiveness in Christ. All are called to believe in God's Son Jesus and accept Him as Lord of their life. God is not suggesting these things as one of many options but is commanding that all respond to the gospel in this way.

(Mark 1:14-15) And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, {15} and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

(Acts 17:30) God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent

(2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

(1 John 3:23) And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ

DISOBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL

The truth of the matter is that many will tragically turn away from the gospel and continue to live in sin. One reason for this will be nothing less than a total disregard for the rightful authority of God which will be manifested by blatant disobedience to the gospel. The scriptures are clear and consistent regarding the outcome of those who disobey the gospel and the result is terrifying to consider. For some who may not have repented of sin and trusted in Christ may the following portions of scripture bring them to their senses causing a sincere and genuine response of repentance and faith regarding the gospel.

(John 3:16-21; 36) "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."

(Rom 2:4-8 NASB) 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.

(Heb 10:26-31 NASB) 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.

(2 Th 1:7-9 NASB) {7}........... 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-

This last verse more clearly than any indicates the fact that disobedience to the gospel will result in severe retribution of an irreversible and everlasting nature. May all who read these words see the wisdom in obeying God and doing what is right.

NEGLECT OF THE GOSPEL

Just as deadly as disobedience to the gospel is neglect of the gospel. 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, however for a multitude of reasons the issue is neglected and crucial decisions are never made. Unfortunately the end result for those who neglect the gospel will be the same as for those who disobey the gospel.

(Hebrews 2:1-4) 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.

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.
Jesus was emphatic when calling all men to hear and act upon His words:

(Matthew 7:24-27) "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."

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 be taken to heart. 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 the words of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament are offered for consideration:

(Matthew 7:13-14) "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. {14} "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.