IGNORING SALVATION

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Hebrews 2:1-4

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

On the night of Jesus’ birth, the first proclamation of His coming was carried out by angels as we read in the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel:

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15

Jesus was the long awaited and predicted Messiah (which means Christ), a Savior who would be the Lamb of God sacrificed to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Note that the shepherds were well aware that the “good news” that would “cause great joy for all the people” had been sent from the Lord Himself through the messenger angels. Excited after hearing what had happened, the shepherds immediately decided to go into Jerusalem to find Jesus themselves.

With this in mind as we return to our scripture passage for today, we can see why the words of the angels were “binding” because when God establishes something, it remains in force unless He changes it and that didn’t happen when it came to His plan for salvation.

As the Old Testament scriptures foretold, Jesus came, lived, died, and was resurrected back to life. He was sent by God to establish a new covenant and a way where all sins could be atoned for once and for all. There was no longer a need for constant sacrifices on altars to find forgiveness and reconciliation with God because Jesus purchased the pardon of all mankind who would simply place their belief in Him, delivering His disciples from Hell and charting their course to Heaven and eternal life.

And yet, despite this binding salvation promise set forth by God, millions upon millions of people have ignored it and the cost associated with doing so, exchanging justification for a sure and “just punishment” (aka God’s wrath and eternal damnation) for “every violation and disobedience” they have committed so flippantly in clear view of their Maker and Master. None of the confirmations of God’s salvation plan found in the gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit or the testimonies found in all His signs, wonders, and various miracles were enough to sway people to accept the generous and gracious gift He extended through His Son.

Perhaps there is no greater tragedy playing out in our world and it does so each and every day. Yes, people do receive the calling of the Lord every day, surrendering their worldly life to be born again in Christ Jesus, but those saved are becoming more and more the minority fulfilling the very words of Jesus Himself when He said this:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

The reality of how increasingly apostate our world is becoming is troubling, and even more so, disappointing, but as Christians, we can’t abandon the life work our Savior Jesus called us to, even if the harvest is plenty and the workers few (Matthew 9:37). In obedience, we need to stay the course, ever committed to reach those who are ignoring their salvation and willingly placing themselves on the road of destruction. Jesus never gave up on anyone and as His disciples, we are to follow His lead.

There’s too much at stake to do otherwise.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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