BELIEVING AND UTILISING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2021

The writer of the book of Hebrews warns that as Christians, we must pay much closer attention to the gospel message we have heard and always make practical and effective use of it, to avoid drifting away from it. The writer wasn't just trying to warn us to be effective with the gospel, he also validated, demonstrated and supported the gospel truth with the signature of the immortal entities that endorsed it and the eternal value it conveys. For instance, he mentioned that the message was also declared by angels and proven to be reliable. This gives us the notion that the gospel is supernatural because it was validated by eternal beings. So let's get to know more.

Reference: Hebrews 2:4 English Standard Version (ESV) "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

The author of this epistle continued to corroborate and testify to priceless value of salvation, proclaiming its quality of being real and significantly coated with redeeming grace. Remember, first, the gospel message we heard resulted in us being born again. Now, considering the immutable spiritual or eternal benefits, the author emphasized on the importance of "refusing to take it for granted or drift away from it." In fact, he stated that its tragic because of the eternal consequence - damnation.

Think about this: Every sin, transgression or disobedience of humankind received a retribution, which is a serious punishment or penalty, and our Lord Jesus bore this punishment on the cross to offer us the free gift of salvation. Now, in view of what it cost Christ, how shall we escape doom if we neglect such a great salvation? Simply put, ignoring the gospel is dreadful. Going astray from truth to error is woeful.

See it this way: If you incurred a debt and were meant to be punished because you couldn't afford to pay but eventually, the debt was settled by someone else (Christ, so to speak), your creditor reckons the account settled and so you must do, and that's the end of the matter. From then on, you must maintain that you are free and justified and remain that way. You don't have to ignore the truth that it was settled and then go back to the creditor to overturn the settlement and concede the debt. Otherwise, you reject the settlement at your own peril.

In another way, a real understanding of this truth is that we would've been condemned because of our sinful nature, but Christ intervened and died for our sins, so we could be born all over again as saints. And this is a fundamental reason to pay more attention to our salvation and yield wholly to the message of the glorious Gospel. That means, stay committed to it and refrain from anything that will cause you to deviate from the eternal truth.

Beloved, this salvation was declared and announced first by the Lord Jesus Himself, and afterwards, it was attested to us by those who heard it. God the Father also bore and still bears witness to it by confirming the gospel with signs and wonders and various miracles and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His will (see referenced Scripture). That means, God's true plan is that signs and wonders shall follow those that believe and are saved. Mark 16:20 (ESV) says, "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs."

The salvation that Christ offers is the ultimate plan of God for redeeming mankind and its the gateway to displaying His glory, supremacy and majesty through us. Watch this: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18 KJV). In order to appropriate and showcase the evidence of these listed blessings of the glorious gospel, stand firm and maintain your salvation, because God confirms His Word, showing it to be the living truth or revelation from heaven, which abides forever.

By signs and wonders following us, by various miracles, by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed to us according to God's will, by raising the dead, healing the sick and by many more good works, God validates His Word on behalf of His people whom He had sent forth to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 3:16; Mark 16:16; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Romans 6:2.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, the good news is your power unto salvation and its my everlasting treasure. Your Spirit works with me to confirm the Word with signs and wonders, and diverse miracles. You remove every obstacle on my way and by the Spirit, I'm led, guided and supported to do your will. Thank you Father for the gift of salvation and for making the glorious gospel effectual to saving men from eternal damnation in Jesus' Name, Amen!