Topical Bible: The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying

◄ The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying ►

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The Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, is central to Christian faith, offering salvation and eternal life to those who believe and obey. However, Scripture also warns of the dire consequences for those who reject or fail to obey the Gospel. These consequences are both temporal and eternal, affecting individuals' lives on earth and their destinies in the hereafter.

Eternal Separation from God

One of the most severe consequences of not obeying the Gospel is eternal separation from God. The Bible describes this as a state of spiritual death and alienation from the presence of the Lord. In 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 , it is written, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might."

Judgment and Wrath

The Scriptures speak of God's righteous judgment upon those who reject His message. In John 3:36 , it is stated, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him." This verse underscores the reality of divine wrath as a consequence of unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel.

Loss of Eternal Life

The Gospel promises eternal life to those who believe, but for those who do not obey, this promise is forfeited. Romans 6:23 contrasts the outcomes: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The failure to accept and obey the Gospel results in the continuation of spiritual death, rather than the gift of eternal life.

Condemnation

The Bible clearly states that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are condemned. In John 3:18 , it is written, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." This condemnation is not merely a future event but a present reality for those who reject the Gospel.

Spiritual Blindness and Deception

Rejecting the Gospel leads to spiritual blindness and susceptibility to deception. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 explains, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This blindness prevents individuals from recognizing the truth and glory of Christ.

Moral and Spiritual Decay

Without the transformative power of the Gospel, individuals are prone to moral and spiritual decay. Romans 1:28-32 describes the downward spiral of those who reject God, leading to a depraved mind and a life filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, and all manner of evil. This passage highlights the moral consequences of turning away from the truth of the Gospel.

Absence of Peace and Joy

The Gospel brings peace and joy to believers, but those who reject it miss out on these blessings. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Without justification through faith, individuals remain in a state of unrest and lack the joy that comes from a reconciled relationship with God.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a sobering picture of the consequences of not obeying the Gospel. These consequences are not only future-oriented but also impact the present life of individuals, leading to spiritual death, judgment, and a life devoid of true peace and joy. The call to obey the Gospel is urgent, as it holds the promise of salvation and eternal life for those who believe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Thessalonians 1:8,9
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Introduction
... is attended with a long train of dangerous consequences. ... angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel unto you ... deeply impress upon his mind the awful truth which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/1 introduction.htm

Additional Evidences of Christianity, and Reflections on the Whole ...
... by a train of very easy consequences; for, the ... are, perhaps, still our friends, from
the awful sentence, which ... be to embrace and obey that Gospel, which comes ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/additional evidences of christianity and.htm

The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
... our actions here must automatically bring consequences hereafter of ... What an awful
confession"that the thought of ... Especially the Gospel has this double aspect ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two-fold aspect of the.htm

The Excuses of Sinners Condemn God
... and of course you must yield or abide the consequences. ... becomes the great business
of a Gospel minister to ... will be far more searching and awful than anything ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/v the excuses of sinners.htm

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... for these twin relics of barbarism, so awful in the ... with military requisitions, and
felt resigned to the consequences. ... It seemed as if the gospel of Christ had ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... the poor, miserable Drunkard, and the awful foul-mouthed ... as dangerous and contrary
to the gospel;" [ac] and a ... that they will suffer the consequences, and not I ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

Caiaphas
... determining consideration, has in it an awful power of ... Caiaphas suggests for us the
twofold consequences of that ... This Gospel of John was probably written after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/caiaphas.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... my hand trembles, as I write the awful affirmative, Yes! ... have said, we will not preach
the gospel, for if ... Consequences, my friends, belong no more to you, than ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

The Passing and the Permanent
... there is another motive of a more awful kind; namely ... The gospel does with ease and
in silence what nothing ... Nature has been involved in the consequences of sin ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the passing and the permanent.htm

The Price of Power.
... the lash of that huge, vague, awful they. ... of these words in the sixteenth of Matthew's
gospel. ... Jesus, everywhere, always, regardless of consequences, though it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the price of power.htm