The Warnings of the Gospel
The fear of God
In the gospel there are also solemn warnings against both continuing in the practice of sin and turning away from the faith.
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me Jer 32:40
The sting of sin is death
For the Christian there can be absolutely no compromise with sin. There are a number of passages in the N.T. which warn us that the practice of sin leads to that death which is the penalty of sin.
Without practical holiness (set apart) no one will see the Lord.
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13,14
Those who habitually commit sin are the slaves of sin.
Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Romans 11:22
Presumption
We are warned against presuming on God’s grace and love.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness Such slavery to sin leads to death. Rom 6:15,16
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom 8:5,6 also Rom 8:12,13
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9,10
Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:6,7
See also 1 John 3:4-10 Gal 5:19-21 Eph 5:3-6
What is in view here is the continuing practice of sin, and not sinless perfection, since all believers stumble and fall.
Warnings against turning aside from the faith
Such passages include:
"And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." Matt 10:22
See also Matt 24:10-13 Mark 13:13 Luke 9:62 John 15:6 2 Peter 2:20-22
Heb 3:6 and Heb 3:14. In these two passages the evidence that we have been made partakers with Christ is that we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end
Heb 6:6-9 The important question here is: Am I manifesting "the things which accompany salvation?" (verse 9)
The relation between the security of the true believer and the warnings of the gospel is illustrated in the story of Paul's shipwreck, Acts 27:9-44.
In verses 22-25 Paul gave the disheartened men the unconditional assurance that there would be no loss of life among them. The basis on which he was able to give this assurance is found in verse 25 "I believe God that it will be just as it was told me." Here is unconditional and absolute certainty of safe deliverance.
Then as they came near the land, Paul discovered that the sailors were about to make a get-away and save themselves without regard to the others. In verse 31 there is the conditional warning, "unless these men stay in the ship you cannot be saved." The soldiers then cut the ropes to the skiff and prevented the sailors from leaving.
The final outcome is stated in verse 44, "and so it was that they all escaped safely to land." Thus the unconditional promise was fulfilled.
Similarly in the gospel, there are the conditional warning against habitual sin and turning aside from the faith. Those who have been truly born again heed these warnings, and "hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end," Hebrews 3:14 Thus God's eternal purposes of salvation are accomplished in them.
There is no assurance of salvation for those who continue in sin and do not heed the warnings of the gospel.
The various issues involved in the above considerations should be interpreted in the light of the parable of the sower Mark 4:3-20. It should be stressed that departing from sin and continuing in the faith are the results of salvation by grace and not conditions of salvation.