Do Not Neglect So Great a Salvation

 

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:1-4).

 

The writer now comes to this reflective question: How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (v. 3). To neglect something is to overlook it, to take it lightly, certainly not to devote yourself steadfastly to it. I am often asked why I drive such a long distance to church (it is located 45 miles from our house). There are some personal reasons for the drive, although the principal reason is the clarity of the Gospel that permeates everything we do there. The name of our church is Gospel City Church. The “gospel” is so much more than a part of the name.

 

I am not so naïve that I believe everyone who attends is a believer; however, I do know that everyone who comes and listens to the music and the message will hear the truth of God’s salvation. Our ministries are all focused on providing a means whereby anyone who takes part can immerse themselves in the gospel. However, even if everyone attended every meeting and participated in every ministry, that still leaves a great majority of time to drift away into neglect. That must be avoided. If you neglect this salvation and treat it lightly, it could be a symptom of the rejection of God’s grace. After all, this salvation is unprecedented. It deserves our diligence and our energetic pursuit of it, certainly not neglect.

 

I think the author of Hebrews has in mind what happened in the Old Testament, where the people had their greatest moment of salvation in the exodus. They were prisoners. They were slaves. Pharaoh would not give them any straw for their bricks, and they were brutally beaten and virtually imprisoned by Pharaoh. They cried, they groaned, they prayed. God heard the groans of His people, sent Moses to Pharaoh, and said, “Let My people go.” The horse and the rider were thrown into the sea. The multitudes of people fleeing from captivity came out. They got to Migdal, and in front of them was the sea and behind them were the chariots of Egypt. Their route seemed to be hopeless—there was no escape. But then, a mighty wind blew and dried up the Red Sea. Israel escaped, but the chariots of Pharaoh did not. That was a great salvation.

 

No sooner were the Israelites rescued from this tyranny than they started complaining about the manna that God provided for them: “Oh, I wish we were back in Egypt. Yes, we might have been slaves, but we had our leeks, onions, and garlic to eat.” They would trade their freedom for the very thing they begged to be rescued from. Is this something of what your actions look like? Do you find yourself wanting the old life, turning back to old habits and sinful practices? It is not too late to voice your repentance and return to the way God has for you!