Simple Neglect Will  

Ruin Your Spiritual Life

 

" 'Neglect' is enough to ruin a man. A man who is in business need not commit forgery or robbery to ruin himself; he has only to 'neglect' his business, and his ruin is certain. A man who is lying on a bed of sickness, need not cut his throat to destroy himself, he has only to 'neglect' the means of restoration, and he will be ruined. A man floating in a skiff above Niagara, need not move an oar or make an effort to destroy himself; he has only to 'neglect' using the oar at the proper time, and he will certainly be carried over the cataract. Most of the calamities of life are caused by simple 'neglect.' " - Barnes' Notes

 

Barnes' Notes goes on to say - "There is nothing in earthly affairs that is valuable that will not be ruined if it is not attended to - and why may it not be so with the concerns of the soul?"

 

"Neglect" -

Enough to ruin a man.

'Neglect your business.'

Ruin is certain.

"Neglect your health."

Ruin your life.

Most calamities are caused by simple "neglect."

Valuable things are ruined if not attended to - and that includes a man's soul!

 

Just how valuable is your soul to you?

 

"Neglect" - Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines it in this way - "to give little attention to or respect to; disregard; to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness."

 

In other words, we are guilty of "neglect' when we give insufficient attention to something which has a definite claim on our attention.

 

Throughout the Scriptures, we find situations where people neglected things pertaining to their souls. In this message, we would like to examine the various Scriptures and glean wisdom for our spiritual lives.

 

We must never forget that inactivity in spiritual matters is most fatal. Hence, disaster brought on by simple neglect - for some reading this message - is threatening. May the Holy Spirit use the words on these pages as a definite Wake-up Call - before it is too late!

 

1. Those Who Neglected "So Great Salvation"

 

Hebrews 2:3 - "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."

 

This "great salvation" from sin and Hell which is embodied in the Son of the Living God - the Lord Jesus Christ Himself - and which offers forgiveness of sins...deliverance from danger, death, destruction, and the devil...the abundance of temporal blessings...and the promise of a home in heaven for all of eternity - is not something to be ignored. Yet sinners and saints alike are guilty of doing just that.

 

The sinner passes it on by...refuses to embrace it...opposes it...persecutes it...pays no attention to its offers of free grace......makes light of it...and doesn't concern himself with it nor allow its message to change his heart.

 

On the other hand, the saint is oftentimes guilty of ignoring it by attending to other things, getting busy with worldly pleasures, or not considering it worth his time and energy to become fully acquainted with it so that he could apply its principles to his daily walk.

 

2. Those Who Neglected "The Weightier Matters Of The Law"

 

Matthew 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

 

Luke 11:42 - "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

 

The "scribes and the Pharisees" were very strict and precise in attending to the small matters of the law - even those things which were not required. They were remarkably scrupulous in the observance and performance of the various religious duties, rites, and ceremonies.

 

They paid tithes of various garden herbs for the support of the Levites and priests. The Lord Jesus did not condemn them for this practice. What He did rebuke them for was the fact that they chose the smaller duties at the total neglect of the greater ones - "and have omitted the weightier matters of the law"..."and pass over..."  "...these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

 

They were partial in the law. They chose those duties which were easiest to perform - while totally neglecting those which demanded the practice of godliness in every day living. 

 

They ignored the command to act according to justice and equity in business deals or to give to all their rightful dues...to help the poor or those in distress...or to give to God what was rightfully His - their hearts and lives. They disregarded the "weightier matters of the law" which pertained to inward holiness of the heart and demanded a lifestyle of self-denial, a contempt for this world, and a total surrender to the Lord.

 

3. Those Who Neglected "The Work Of The Lord"

 

Jeremiah 48:10 - "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood."

 

Through the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord God commissioned the Chaldeans to totally destroy Moab. They were to be diligent in carrying out this charge. In no way were they to spare the Moabites or perform this task by halves or negligently. They had to make a thorough work of it or they would come under judgment themselves.

 

O Saint of God, after reading through this message, how does it pertain to you?

Are you guilty of "neglect" when it comes to the matters of "salvation," holiness of living, or carrying out "the work of the Lord" ?

 

Nowadays, we have so many who will run to church every time the doors are opened, yet they disregard the spiritual maintenance in their personal lives of reading and studying the Bible...praying...keeping their hearts and lives free from sin, worldliness, and compromise...avoiding all areas of temptation to sin... treating people right... and being totally sold-out to the Lord Jesus Christ. When God calls them to perform a certain task, they may pretend to do it...do it halfheartedly for show...do it in halves...do it in a way that meets their own purpose and ends...or take no great pains or care to get it done - just do it carelessly and slothfully in order to appease a guilty conscience in the end.

 

" 'Neglect' is enough to ruin a man..."

 

"Most of the calamities of life are caused by simple 'neglect.' "

 

When it comes to spiritual matters in your life, are you headed for ruin?

 

What are you leaving undone or unattended to through carelessness?