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Guilty of Neglect?
The
Hebrew writer poses a question in chapter two verse three. "How shall we
escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" It is this question
that we should ask our selves today and everyday so that we do not neglect our
salvation. At
first thought, I was certain that most of us would quickly answer, "Of
course not!" to the above questions. We may, however, find that answer a
little harder to state so boldly after we take the time the to consider some of
the things that pertain to our "great salvation" that we may find
being neglecting in our lives. Neglecting
Growth Growth
as a Christian is absolutely essential to our salvation (2 Peter 3:11-18). We
are instructed to prepare for the last day by seeing that we "grow in
the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." We
accomplish this growth by doing something that many neglect, which is prayer. The
neglect of prayer leads to a lack of growth. The fact that God desires our
prayers is clear (1 Peter 5:7). We are told to pray without ceasing (1
Thessalonians 5:17). We pray to share our cares (1 Peter 5:7). We pray to draw
close to God (James 4:8). When stop praying we stop growing in our relationship
with God. Many
also neglect studying. The neglect of study leads to a lack of growth. How
essential is it that we read and study the Bible? The Psalmist saw it as
essential to his every day life (Psalm 119:97-105). He also commends the word to
all who would desire to find true happiness and contentment (Psalm 1). The
Bible is God's delivered will for mankind (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God took the time to consider man and deliver to them His will as a guide for
their lives. As the apostles of Jesus said, these are the words of eternal life
(John 6:68). The Bible is the standard of our judgment (John 12:48). We
study by reading, meditating and giving ourselves entirely to the word (1
Timothy 4:13, 15-16). If we desire the word as we should, and study it, as we
should, we will grow (1 Peter 2:1-3). If we neglecting our growth we neglecting
our salvation. Neglecting Worship How
about worship? Many neglect to worship. By this I do not exclusively mean those
who do not attend. Although, that is a problem, there is another situation
that I want you to consider. The
problem is with those who actually attend worship. Those who are physically
present but mentally absent. The scriptures are clear in regard to the
worship that God desires and deserves God never accepts lip service (Matthew
15:8-9). God regards such as vain or empty—useless. We
must worship acceptably. Not in a way that we merely feel like offering. God has
established that He desires worship that is in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
Through our worship we praise God and offer glory and honor to Him. We
need to be careful that our worship is no less! We
must enter into worship knowing there is more to singing than saying some words
with a melody. There is more to prayer than words. There is more to communion
than just eating and drinking. There is more to our offering than just money.
Sharing the Bible in study and preaching is more than just a book report. There
is more to our service than just three visits to this place in a week. Worship
is acceptable only when it is done, as God desires in spirit and truth (John
4:24). Both truth and spirit, of necessity, must be equal. The acts of worship,
singing, praying, remembering and offering, are to be done with the fullness of
our ability and concentration. God desires our worship let's not neglect to
offer Him the worship that He is due. If we neglect to worship as God desires we
neglect our salvation. Where
are you right now? Many neglect to examine themselves. This article began by
covering the points of not growing and not worshipping. Too many people have
assigned those charges to others. In other words, as we read, we are saying
to ourselves…”I pray enough”, “I study enough”. “I offer
acceptable worship”. "Do you?" We
are told to keep a close eye on our where our own feet are falling (Ephesians
5:15). Paul also said, "Examine
yourselves as to whether you are in the faith, and Test yourselves" (2
Corinthians 13:5). Then later, to Timothy, Paul said, "Take heed to
yourself and to the doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:13). We need to pay
careful attention to where we are. We
must not allow ourselves to become merely self-approved. We may forget to look
at where we are standing and assume that we are okay. So many in the world
today think the same thing. We may become like the Pharisee in Luke
18:9-14. He found justification for himself by looking at someone who seemed
worse. Justifying our self by finding greater fault in others will only merit
some type of self-approval. The fact is we will always be able to find someone
worse off than our self but that does not change our responsibility toward God.
We are to be approved by God not ourselves (2 Timothy 2:15). Conclusion:
Is it possible to neglect so great a salvation? "Yes!" Have you been
neglecting your salvation? The opposite of neglect is maintenance we need
to maintain our salvation (Hebrews 10:35-39). Remaining faithful all the way
through to the end of life with prayer, study, and self-examination. Being
diligent to show our selves approved of God, workers who do not need to be
ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). If
you are a Christian today but you have been neglecting your great salvation then
what are you going to do? I pray that today you change and make your way back to
the Lord. If you are not a Christian and you know that you need to be then you
are presently neglecting a great salvation that is waiting for you. Won't
you stop neglecting and do what you need to do today? ~tss (Editor’s
Note: Sean Sullivan is scheduled to be with us this Spring. ) |