by Marc W. Gibson
Synopsis: Introducing the theme of "Neglected Commands," Marc offers an overview of the perils of neglect and points us to the divinely prescribed solution.
What exactly does it mean to be negligent? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
To be negligent is to be neglectful. Negligence is an important legal concept; it's usually defined as the failure to use the care that a normally careful person would in a given situation. Negligence is a common claim in lawsuits regarding medical malpractice, auto accidents, and workplace injuries. But you can be negligent about answering your email, or negligent in the way you dress. (The original garment called a negligee was worn by women who had neglected to get fully dressed.) The legal meanings of negligent and negligence, however, tend to be the ones we most often encounter nowadays.
Just as someone's negligence in the workplace can cause injury or death, the spiritual negligence of a Christian can have serious consequences, for himself and others. Neglecting spiritual considerations to pursue the things of this world is why many lose their souls (Matt. 16:26).
Obedience to God. Knowing and obeying God's will is essential. We were created for good works and will be judged on the things we do (Eph. 2:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, we must be careful not to neglect any command of God knowingly.
Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for neglecting the "weightier matters" of the law in their zeal to attend to less weighty matters (Matt. 23:23). Those separated on the left hand at the judgment day were condemned for being negligent in their concern and care for their fellow man (Matt. 25:41-45). Neglecting one's spiritual growth and obedience increases the danger of falling away (2 Pet. 1:9-11; 3:17-18).
Abilities/Talents. Each person is blessed with abilities and talents that can be used in service to God (Rom. 12:3-8). Paul admonished Timothy, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you…" (1 Tim. 4:14). Probably, this was a spiritual gift that was given to Timothy, like the rest of the verse would suggest (cf. 2 Tim. 1:6). Paul did not want Timothy to be negligent in using his gift in the service to God. In the same way, we should use our abilities in the service of God, as was the case for the servants in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30). The one-talent man neglected to use what had been given him and was condemned. If we refuse to develop and use our talents for spiritual service in the kingdom of Christ, we will answer for our negligence in the judgment day.
Discipline. Carrying out discipline in the home and the church are not joyous activities. Discipline involves the stern rebuke of wrongdoing. This is the reason many are negligent in practicing discipline. They find it easier to ignore the problem, hoping it will fix itself or just go away. Nonetheless, it is a command of God designed to keep the church pure and to bring the sinner to repentance (1 Cor. 5:1-8; 2 Thess. 3:6-15). Discipline in the home is necessary for the successful upbringing of children (Prov. 22:15; 19:18). Self-discipline is essential in one's effort to remain faithful to God (1 Cor. 9:27). Neglectfulness in church discipline will encourage sinful rebellion against God.
Salvation. There are those who hear the gospel and understand their need for obedience, yet neglect to do so for a variety of reasons. Like Felix, they wait for that elusive "convenient time" when they will finally give attention to the necessity of being reconciled to God (Acts 24:25). Such neglect and delay can be spiritually fatal.
We are speaking mainly of Christian negligence, and a Christian can neglect his need to "work out [his] salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). Being raised from the waters of baptism is only the beginning of our new life in Christ. Diligent attention must be given to learning and growth (Eph. 5: 17; 2 Pet. 3:18). The author of Hebrews was very concerned that believers give "the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away…how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Heb. 2:1-3). The constant danger of drifting away from God through spiritual neglect should be a primary concern of every Christian. The devil will devour us if we neglect our salvation in Christ (1 Pet. 5:8).
Preaching the Whole Counsel of God. It is God's great wisdom and pleasure to save those who believe the "foolishness of the message preached" (1 Cor. 1:18-25). This is why Paul was determined to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified (v. 23; 2:2). He remained ready to preach the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:15-16). He instructed others to "preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:2) and was not negligent to declare the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).
Every gospel preacher should resolve to declare "the whole counsel of God," but not all fulfill this charge. Some are experts in neglecting the negatives, that is, accentuating the positive and eliminating the negative from their preaching. While we should exhort hearers in many positive aspects of godly living, there is also the need to reprove and rebuke sin (1 Tim. 4:2). The devil and his false doctrines are too pervasive in our world to neglect our constant duty to warn of the dangers of evil. Jesus taught his disciples to love one another and help those in need (John13:34-35; Matt. 25:34-40), but he was not negligent to reprove their selfish ambitions and openly expose the error of the Pharisees and scribes (Matt. 20:24-28; 23:1-36). Paul expressed his joy for his brethren at Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:19-20), but also warned them about being deceived by false teaching and affirmed the need to withdraw from brethren who were walking disorderly (2 Thess. 2:1ff; 3:6ff).
It is a serious breach of responsibility for one to neglect preaching the whole counsel of God, whether the reason is to avoid upsetting someone or the fear of losing a job. Many don't want to rebuke specific sins or expose denominational error and false teachers. It almost seems as if they find such preaching more repugnant than the error itself! Until preachers and brethren in general realize how offensive such error is to our God, they will never feel the need to oppose it with the fervor and boldness observed in the Scriptures. Let every evangelist resolve never to be negligent to "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:2).
Ignorance. God said about Israel, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). This was a significant reason why Israel failed to keep the law of God. They did not seek the Lord and were not taught by their leaders. Knowledge is always better than ignorance: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Prov. 1:7). The ignorant will not understand how to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). Thus, our great need is to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).
Laziness. In Jesus' Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), the five foolish virgins neglected to bring additional oil with their lamps and were unprepared when the bridegroom was delayed. Perhaps they were too lazy. Laziness is a reason people fail to make proper preparations. The lazy person avoids doing what requires time and effort. God calls us to be conscientious workers in His kingdom. Lazy neglect is a sure prescription for failure (Prov. 10:4). Let us, therefore, remain diligent in our personal growth and spiritual service (Heb. 4:11; 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:10).
Distraction. It is easy to be negligent if we become distracted from what we should do. The seed sown among thorns represents those whose spiritual growth is choked with "cares, riches, and pleasures of life" (Luke 8:14). Worship services are often neglected for sleep, vacation, school activities, sports, etc. Personal Bible study is neglected for television, a favorite novel, or hours of gaming. While the devil has many distractions to throw at us, we must stay spiritually alert and remain focused on things above (1 Thess. 5:6; Col. 3:1-2).
Short-sightedness. Peter taught that we are to grow and abound in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Pet. 1:5-8). Those who are neglectful and lack these things are shortsighted (v. 9). They are caught up in the here and now, and do not possess a clear view of the goal of entering God's eternal kingdom (v. 11; Phil. 3:13-14; Matt. 25:34). That is why Peter urged Christians to be "even more diligent to make your calling and election sure [i.e., firm, secure]" (v. 10).
The wise man wrote, "Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it" (Prov. 8:33, NASB). Negligence is a subtle sin that will slowly but surely destroy the life of a Christian. What is the solution? Let us "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (Jas. 1:21-22). When Nehemiah and the people of Israel made a covenant to be obedient to God's law, they declared that they would not "neglect the house of our God" (Neh. 10:39). Let us likewise resolve not to neglect our own house (Josh. 24:15) or the house of God today, "which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).
"Negligent." Merriam-Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negligent.
Author Bio: Marc has worked with the Central church of Christ in Tampa, FL for over seven years. He and his wife, Kellie, have four children. The church website is centralcofctampa.com. He can be reached at marcgibson@verizon.net.
