--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the greatest crimes committed by…" description: "\"“One of the greatest crimes committed by this present Christian generation is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/paul-washer-1468_assurance-of-salvati_one-of-the-greatest-crimes-committed-by_3220281.png" --- # One of the greatest crimes committed by this present… ![“One of the greatest crimes committed by this present Christian generation is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other maladies spring forth. The lost world is not so much gospel hardened as it is gospel ignorant because many of those who proclaim the gospel are…” quote by Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/paul-washer-1468_assurance-of-salvati_one-of-the-greatest-crimes-committed-by_3220281.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/paul-washer-1468_assurance-of-salvati_one-of-the-greatest-crimes-committed-by_3220281.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/paul-washer-1468_assurance-of-salvati_one-of-the-greatest-crimes-committed-by_3220281.png) > ““One of the greatest crimes committed by this present Christian generation is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other maladies spring forth. The lost world is not so much gospel hardened as it is gospel ignorant because many of those who proclaim the gospel are also ignorant of its most basic truths. The essential themes that make up the very core of the gospel—the justice of God, the radical depravity of man, the blood atonement, the nature of true conversion, and the biblical basis of assurance—are absent from too many pulpits. Churches reduce the gospel message to a few creedal statements, teach that conversion is a mere human decision, and pronounce assurance of salvation over anyone who prays the sinner’s prayer.”” [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He condemns contemporary Christians for neglecting core gospel truths, reducing faith to superficial statements and ignoring essential doctrines. **In simple terms:** Modern believers ignore deep gospel truths, focusing on shallow beliefs. Key Takeaway Re‑emphasize core gospel teachings. Themes faith doctrine church criticism Mood serious urgent Type theological challenge. When to use this quote - church preaching - Bible study groups - seminary education Key Concepts gospel neglect theological ignorance Questions to Reflect On - How can churches balance doctrinal depth with cultural relevance? - What steps can individuals take to deepen their gospel understanding? A Different Perspective Some may view his critique as overly harsh. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assurance of salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assurance-of-salvation/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel/) [Justice of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-of-god/) [Lost World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-world/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [I want to submit to you tonight that this country is not gospel-hardened; it is gospel-ignorant because most of its preachers are. And let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/i-want-to-submit-to-you-tonight-that-this-country-is-not-gospel/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [We forget the gospel when we neglect our adoption and think that we're still just a hired servant. The Father doesn't let us come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elyse-fitzpatrick/we-forget-the-gospel-when-we-neglect-our-adoption-and-think-that-we/) [Elyse Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elyse-fitzpatrick/) > [Take away material prosperity; take away emotional highs; take away miracles and healing; take away fellowship with other believers; take away church; take away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mason/take-away-material-prosperity-take-away-emotional-highs-take-away/) [Mike Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mason/) > [“No diversion can prevent Jesus from making haste to come to your rescue. He is telling us to trust Him. Stop worrying whether He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-e-jackson/no-diversion-can-prevent-jesus-from-making-haste-to-come-to-your/) Sandra E. Jackson > [“It is true that we need to make a one time decision to follow Jesus. But a true one time decision is followed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mckinley/it-is-true-that-we-need-to-make-a-one-time-decision-to-follow-jesus/) [Mike McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mckinley/) > [“We are no more secure in Christ with a strong faith than with a small faith, so long as that small faith is true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-c-wilson/we-are-no-more-secure-in-christ-with-a-strong-faith-than-with-a-small/) [Jared C. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-c-wilson/) > [“There is no assurance in life. It is only God that gives assurance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-giftyakita/there-is-no-assurance-in-life-it-is-only-god-that-gives-assurance/) [Lailah GiftyAkita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-giftyakita/) > [“As with the other Pauline passages that I have analyzed, similarities surface: (1) each moment is held as distinct but integrally connected to the others;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gibson/as-with-the-other-pauline-passages-that-i-have-analyzed-similarities/) [David Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gibson/) > [I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/i-felt-my-heart-strangely-warmed-i-felt-i-did-trust-in-christ-christ/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [I believe hundreds of Christian people are being deceived by Satan now on this point, that they have not got the assurance of salvation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/i-believe-hundreds-of-christian-people-are-being-deceived-by-satan/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [What is your assurance of salvation? The promise of God's Word. If God says it, that settles it, because God cannot lie. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/what-is-your-assurance-of-salvation-the-promise-of-god-s-word-if-god/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [We cannot have faith without belief, but we can believe without having faith. Belief is the foundation of faith. Faith is trusting in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-leslie-stone/we-cannot-have-faith-without-belief-but-we-can-believe-without-having/) O. Leslie Stone > [O most glorious God ... Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/o-most-glorious-god-direct-my-thoughts-words-and-work-wash-away-my/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“The history of the church seems to indicate to us two positions as true, with reference to this matter,—viz. lst, That assurance of salvation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cunningham/the-history-of-the-church-seems-to-indicate-to-us-two-positions-as/) William Cunningham > [“It is true that we need to make a onetime decision to follow Jesus. But a true onetime decision is followed by the everyday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mckinley/it-is-true-that-we-need-to-make-a-onetime-decision-to-follow-jesus/) [Mike McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mckinley/) ## More by Paul Washer > [The question is not whether you would like to pray this prayer and ask Jesus to come into your heart - after all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-question-is-not-whether-you-would-like-to-pray-this-prayer-and/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > ["But I got saved that way!" No, you got saved in spite of that way not because of that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/but-i-got-saved-that-way-no-you-got-saved-in-spite-of-that-way-not/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [I would not trade the difficult years for all the prosperity in the world. God knows what each one of us must suffer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/i-would-not-trade-the-difficult-years-for-all-the-prosperity-in-the/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [We must not adopt the world's view and then tweak it to make it Christian. We must draw a line in the sand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/we-must-not-adopt-the-world-s-view-and-then-tweak-it-to-make-it/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [“There are few things more blasphemous than a preacher who compliments the unbeliever on the wonderful life he has made for himself, extolling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/there-are-few-things-more-blasphemous-than-a-preacher-who-compliments/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [The person that I most admire is Jesus Christ. He is the only perfect Person. There is simply no comparison. The difference between Him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-person-that-i-most-admire-is-jesus-christ-he-is-the-only-perfect/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [The terrible sticky thing about truth is if it exists, it's coming for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-terrible-sticky-thing-about-truth-is-if-it-exists-it-s-coming-for/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [The evidence that a person has truly opened their life to Christ is continued fellowship with Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-evidence-that-a-person-has-truly-opened-their-life-to-christ-is/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [Over the epitaph of this generation it will say ENTERTAINED TO DEATH.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/over-the-epitaph-of-this-generation-it-will-say-entertained-to-death/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [“the proof or validation of genuine conversion is that the one who professes faith in Christ perseveres in that faith and grows in sanctification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-proof-or-validation-of-genuine-conversion-is-that-the-one-who/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [In that moment of salvation, of belief, they are opening their lives to the person of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/in-that-moment-of-salvation-of-belief-they-are-opening-their-lives-to/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [A lot of people think that Christianity is you doing all the righteous things you hate and avoiding all the wicked things you love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/a-lot-of-people-think-that-christianity-is-you-doing-all-the/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [ In modern day evangelism, this precious doctrine \[of regeneration\] has been reduced to nothing more than a human decision to raise one's hand, walk… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/in-modern-day-evangelism-this-precious-doctrine-of-regeneration-has/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [The mark of a man of God is God upon the man,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-mark-of-a-man-of-god-is-god-upon-the-man/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [What can not be overcome in prayer? Answer me! What cannot be done by the hand of the Almighty? Answer me! What can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/what-can-not-be-overcome-in-prayer-answer-me-what-cannot-be-done-by/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) [Explore all 234 Paul Washer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) ## More Assurance of salvation quotes > [Take away material prosperity; take away emotional highs; take away miracles and healing; take away fellowship with other believers; take away church; take away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mason/take-away-material-prosperity-take-away-emotional-highs-take-away/) [Mike Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mason/) > [“The history of the church seems to indicate to us two positions as true, with reference to this matter,—viz. lst, That assurance of salvation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cunningham/the-history-of-the-church-seems-to-indicate-to-us-two-positions-as/) William Cunningham > [O most glorious God ... Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/o-most-glorious-god-direct-my-thoughts-words-and-work-wash-away-my/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [We cannot have faith without belief, but we can believe without having faith. Belief is the foundation of faith. Faith is trusting in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-leslie-stone/we-cannot-have-faith-without-belief-but-we-can-believe-without-having/) O. Leslie Stone > [What is your assurance of salvation? The promise of God's Word. If God says it, that settles it, because God cannot lie. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/what-is-your-assurance-of-salvation-the-promise-of-god-s-word-if-god/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe hundreds of Christian people are being deceived by Satan now on this point, that they have not got the assurance of salvation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/i-believe-hundreds-of-christian-people-are-being-deceived-by-satan/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/i-felt-my-heart-strangely-warmed-i-felt-i-did-trust-in-christ-christ/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [“As with the other Pauline passages that I have analyzed, similarities surface: (1) each moment is held as distinct but integrally connected to the others;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gibson/as-with-the-other-pauline-passages-that-i-have-analyzed-similarities/) [David Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gibson/) > [“There is no assurance in life. It is only God that gives assurance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-giftyakita/there-is-no-assurance-in-life-it-is-only-god-that-gives-assurance/) [Lailah GiftyAkita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-giftyakita/) > [“We are no more secure in Christ with a strong faith than with a small faith, so long as that small faith is true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-c-wilson/we-are-no-more-secure-in-christ-with-a-strong-faith-than-with-a-small/) [Jared C. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-c-wilson/) > [“It is true that we need to make a one time decision to follow Jesus. But a true one time decision is followed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mckinley/it-is-true-that-we-need-to-make-a-one-time-decision-to-follow-jesus/) [Mike McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mckinley/) > [“No diversion can prevent Jesus from making haste to come to your rescue. He is telling us to trust Him. Stop worrying whether He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-e-jackson/no-diversion-can-prevent-jesus-from-making-haste-to-come-to-your/) Sandra E. Jackson > [“It is true that we need to make a onetime decision to follow Jesus. But a true onetime decision is followed by the everyday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mckinley/it-is-true-that-we-need-to-make-a-onetime-decision-to-follow-jesus/) [Mike McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mckinley/) [Browse all 14 Assurance of salvation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assurance-of-salvation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“One of the greatest crimes committed by this present Christian generation is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other maladies spring forth. The lost world is not so much gospel hardened as it is gospel ignorant because many of those who proclaim the gospel are also ignorant of its most basic truths. 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