Mitchell County
In Hebrews 2:1–3, the Bible says: “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”
Now, the Book of Hebrews is written for saved people. It contains five warnings to Christians, not lost people. It warns believers about drifting, unbelief, immaturity, willful sinning, and rejecting God.
I want to share a few thoughts about neglect.
The word neglect means not to care or to take your responsibility lightly. To a Christian, it means that salvation becomes unimportant in life.
Preacher, are there really Christians who do that?
There must be, because it is clearly written in the Bible.
As a pastor, I can show you Christians who have.
Why would a Christian neglect their salvation?
Christians neglect their salvation when they forget what their salvation truly is.
If you would think back to that day when Jesus saved and forgave you—He forgave your past, present, and future sins. He brought you into His family, and He set you on your path to Heaven.
Let’s look at how Scripture describes our salvation: “so great.”
It is greater than great.
Our salvation is great because of who provides it—Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
Our salvation is great because of the price paid for it. Peter says we were not redeemed by corruptible things like silver and gold, but by the precious blood of the Lamb of God.
How does a Christian neglect salvation?
It begins with drifting.
Verse 1 ends with the word slip, which means to drift.
It is a picture of a ship brought into dock and tied securely. Over time, the ropes loosen. The ship may remain for a while, but eventually the wind blows, the waves move, and the vessel slowly drifts away.
That drifting is slow and gradual.
Even wise sailors may not notice it at first.
Christians drift from:
- Studying God’s Word
- Worshiping God
- Praying to God
Most Christians simply say they became too busy.
But when these spiritual disciplines are neglected, drifting has already begun.
The second word is transgression.
Transgression means stepping over a boundary.
A Christian encounters temptation and knows what God’s Word says.
They hear the Holy Spirit’s warning.
Yet they begin to justify compromise:
- “It’s not that bad.”
- “It’s not a big deal.”
- “Everyone else is doing it.”
But by then, drifting has already weakened them.
Once enough drifting occurs, crossing boundaries becomes easier and easier.
The third word is disobedience.
This is one of the strongest words in the Bible.
It means total rejection of God’s authority in your life.
Eventually, after enough drifting and enough boundary-crossing, a believer may reach a place where they say:
“I’m tired of doing what the Church says.”
“I’m tired of doing what the Bible says.”
“I’m tired of doing what God says.”
“I want to be captain of my own ship.”
“I want to be master of my own life.”
This is how far spiritual neglect can lead.
You may ask:
“What’s so bad about drifting, crossing boundaries, and rejecting God’s authority? Much of the world is doing it.”
Hebrews 2:2 answers that:
Every transgression and disobedience receives a just recompense of reward.
What does that mean?
If a person is truly saved, they do not lose salvation.
Salvation is an eternal transaction.
But a Christian cannot sin and simply get by with it.
There are consequences.
What are some consequences?
Loss of Fellowship
A drifting Christian cannot enjoy close fellowship with God.
Loss of Joy
A believer out of fellowship has little true joy.
Loss of Peace
A Christian drifting from God will lose peace.
God does not ignore sin.
Christians may tolerate compromise.
The world may tolerate compromise.
But God does not.
So how can Christians keep from neglecting salvation?
Hebrews 2:1 says:
“Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.”
That means:
- Repent of sin
- Study God’s Word
- Spend time in prayer
- Seek God’s will
- Turn from self-rule
This is the best advice any Christian can follow because it is grounded in God’s Word.
Stay anchored.
Stay faithful.
Do not neglect so great a salvation.
Words of Wisdom:
• “It is the neglect of timely repair that makes rebuilding necessary.” — Richard Whately
• “We never fail when we try to do our duty; we always fail when we neglect to do it.” — Robert Baden-Powell
• “A man should never neglect his family for business.” — Walt Disney
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Steve Williams is the pastor of Berry Chapel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. You can read more good Christian news from Steve HERE.
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