The Outcome of Unbelief – Hebrews 3:15-19

It is, I confess, a great privilege, for men to have the word preached unto them and to hear it, Ps. 147:19, 20; but privileges are as men use them. In themselves they are of worth and to be prized; but unto us they are as they are used. Hence the gospel becomes unto some “a savor of death unto death,” 2 Cor. 2:16. Yea, Christ himself, in his whole ministry, was “a stone of stumbling and rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,” Isa. 8:14, Luke 2:34. And the enjoyment of any part of the means of grace is but a trial. And when any rest therein they do but boast in the putting on of their harness, not knowing what will be the end of the battle. And let none mistake unto whom the word of God comes, as it did unto this people in the wilderness. They are engaged; and there is no coming off but conquerors, or ruined. If they receive it not, it will be the aggravation of their sins, the eternal destruction of their souls. – John Owen