March 9, 2010
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Neglect…
Hell is undoubtedly full of people who were never actively opposed to
Jesus Christ, but who simply neglected the gospel. Such people are in
view in these four verses. They know the truth and even believe the
truth, in the sense that they acknowledge its truthfulness, its
rightness. They are well aware of the good news of salvation provided
in Jesus Christ, but are not willing to commit their lives to Him. So
they drift past the call of God into eternal damnation. This tragedy
makes these verses extremely important and urgent.
(from The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Copyright © Moody Press and John MacArthur, Jr., 1983-2007.)
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 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, 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)
Comments (6)
I definitely agree with this, but I don’t understand how that fits with John MacArthur’s other beliefs. Isn’t he a Calvinist? If he is, then he must believe that those who didn’t accept the message were never meant to accept it, so I don’t understand the validity of his interpretation of these verses at all. Where’s the tragedy?
I love these pictures, I have found and downloaded the whole collection by Gustave Dore. What dedication that man had to have created so many scenes from the bible as he imagined them to look!
This is the same topic we were discussing in our church on Sunday morning. The narrow door. The fact that you have to walk through it yourself, no one can do it for you.
Having commited parents or hanging out with trusted friends who believe doesn’t make this step unnecessary.
How life ends at surprising times, you can’t count on making it to 90 or 50 or even 20 years old. You need to think about this NOW, not later.
I like it when God moves us all to consider the same idea in many different locations at the same approximate time.
Interesting! What McArthur says doesn’t fit my mother-in-law. She did believe the truth and the rightness of it but didn’t commit her life to Christ. Until she was on her deathbed. I truly believe she is with the Lord. Only God really knows who all relinquished their hearts to Him; I think we’ll be suprised to see who’s gathered with us when we all meet together with our Lord! I’ve thought of you alot and hope you’re doing alright!
@Pickwick12 - I think John MacArthur did a wonderful job in answering this question here….
http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/70-14-8.htm
If you have anymore questions I’d be happy to reply through the private message part of Xanga.
@iamherenow123 - Me, too!
@Richgem - Your mother-in-laws story reminds me of the thief on the cross.
We’re doing fine. Thank you for asking! Lots of priority shifts in my life and schedule with hubby being home full-time. God is good!