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WE OUGHT TO TAKE HEED

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 12.

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WE OUGHT TO TAKE HEED.

By C. H. BATES

“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. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:1, 2. The margin indicates that the meaning of “let them slip” is to “run out as leaking vessels.”
During some time in the past, through the columns of the SIGNS, we have been learning of truths that are of vital importance to every man. Are we taking heed of them, or are they slipping away from us, running out of our hearts as water which leaks from a vessel.
When were the steadfast words spoken by angels? In Genesis 19 we have the record of the destruction of Sodom, also of the warning as given by the angels before the destruction took place. The record is as follows, “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” In verse 26 we have the statement that Lot’s wife looked behind her and she became a pillar of salt. How sad that this part of the narrative had to be recorded.
What a small thing, seemingly, was this act, and yet upon it rested such important results. Lot’s wife found no way of escape. Our Saviour, in speaking of this same incident in Luke 17:32, says, “Remember Lot’s wife,” the only woman in all the Bible that the Lord tells us to remember. Why remember Lot’s wife? The answer simply is this. The Lord would not have us fall through any act of disobedience as did she. She disobeyed the steadfast word.
Let us consider another example where the steadfast word was spoken by angels. In the first chapter of Luke we have the experience of Zacharias. “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.” “The angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee.” “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words.” “And when he came out, he could not speak unto them.” The word was steadfast.
Do any of the readers of the SIGNS know of any way of escape? Lot’s wife found no way of escape. Zacharias found no way of escape.
If the words of the angels were steadfast, how shall we escape, if we neglect the salvation which is in Christ Jesus? Said the apostle Peter: “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. The angel’s words to Mary were: “And thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. Jesus, Himself, said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” John 14:6. And, once again: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
In Titus 2:14 we read: “Who gave Himself for us.” It does not say that He gave Himself to us, but for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity. This being so, every one of us belong to Him and in Him to be saved from our sins. He purchased us as we are, sins and all. Gal. 1:4. Will you cling to the sin and neglect the great salvation? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” He will remove them as far from us “as the east is from the west.” He will cast them behind His back, and in still another place we read that He will cast them “into the depths of the sea.”
Sin and all that pertains to it will be destroyed, but if we give up the sin now, accept the glorious gift of the Son of God, who gave Himself for the sins of the world, we may be made complete in Him now, and at last have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom. C. H. BATES.