DO NOT NEGLECT SALVATION

Newsletter 268 November 6, 2011

Hebrews 2:1-4
King James Version

This portion of scripture is introduced with the word “therefore,” referring back to Gods statement, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” They have been sent with the message of salvation for Christians.

WE NEED TO LISTEN.

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

We all have heard things that we did not bother to remember, because they did not seem important at the time, or they were things that we thought we might need to know some time in he future, or they were things that we knew were really important. If God has chosen to send a messenger to deliver a message and the Holy Spirit to help us to understand and confirm it, then it is of utmost importance! If He has sent His own Son to carry it, it is urgent. Christ Jesus came with a message of salvation for believers. We need to hear and act.

TO IGNORE IT IS A SIN

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Two words stand forth in this sentence, The first word, transgression, describes the sin of commission. It carries the meaning, “to step across the line,” to know and simply deliberately do it anyway. For example to know that it is a sin to eat the only apple on your neighbor’s young apple tree, but to steal and eat it anyway. The second word, disobedience, is a little different. It means to know what one should do, but to ignore and not do that God has directed. Under this category falls to know what God has commanded to be the way to be saved, but to substitute something one would rather do in its place. As an example, to only partially obey the command to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. To ignore either one is to only partially obey. Immersion without repentance or repentance without immersion are equally sins. Peter’s words on that glorious first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection were, “Repent and be baptized (immersed) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38)

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE?

This is, of course, a rhetorical question. We are not expected to answer, because it is obvious that to not respond to the Lord, failure is certain. Jesus gave the answer when he said, “No man cometh unto the father but by me.” We can not disobey God and be saved. Neither, can we ignore him as if we do not know the way. There is no other way than through the way that Jesus gave to his apostles. The answer is the same whether you were contemporary with the apostles, or live today in the heart of Africa, or Dallas, Texas. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life, for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17)

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

To know what God wants of us, and to choose to put it off or aside, is of course, an answer.

GOD HAS GIVEN US SIGNS AND WONDERS

The very existence of the creation demands a creator. We do not question that the motor car we drive was designed and built by someone. How can we live in a universe that shows with every season the clockwork of God? Men ask, “Where did it come from?” God has answered that question, “In the beginning God.” There is not a man on earth that has not seen God’s hand in everything, if he will just look and wonder. What did God do? “He created the heavens and the earth.”

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.

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ANSWERED PRAYER

All praise to God! and, thanks to our daughter, Donna, who drove miles to drive me to surgery and again this morning. I am now seeing better than I have for a very long time this morning. I am to return to Dr Ku’s office next week and again in a few weeks.
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
NOVEMBER

6th. Sunday – Ezekiel 7, 8, Hebrews 6, Psalm 119:169-176
7th. Monday - Ezekiel 9, 10, 11, Hebrews 7, Psalm 120
8th. Tuesday – Ezekiel 12, 13, Hebrews 8, Proverbs 27:1-10
9th. Wednesday - Ezekiel 14, 15, Hebrews 9:1-14, Psalm 121
10th. Thursday - Ezekiel 16, Hebrews 9:15-28, Psalm 122
11th. Friday – Ezekiel 17, 18, Hebrews 10:1-18, Psalm 123
12th. Saturday - Ezekiel 19, 20, Hebrews 10:19-39, Proverbs 27:11-20
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” - Hebrews 5:8,9

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http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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From the Archive

A priest is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street.

However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach.

After watching the boys efforts for some time, the priest moves closer to the boy's position.

He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.

Crouching down to the child's level, the priest smiles benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?"

To which the boy replies, "Now we run!"