The Bible presents many important questions: Job asked, “If a man die…” (14:14). Jesus asked, “For what is a man profited…” (Matt. 16:26). A young man once asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do…” (Matt. 19:16). This passage in Hebrews asks, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?”
The greatest responsibility of God was making salvation possible for all men. When the angels fell, He sentenced them to outer darkness forever. But when man fell, He sentenced His only begotten Son to work the great plan of salvation.
In our text, we have three important words: salvation, neglect, and escape.
A GREAT SALVATION:
The salvation is great in its conception – It was not conceived by man. It was born and implemented by God (Eph. 1:4-5; Rev. 13:8).
The salvation is great in its cost – Just think of its cost to the Father: John 3:1-16. Consider its cost to the Son (Heb. 12:2; 9:26).
The salvation is great in its circumference – It is for rich and poor. It reaches out to the highest; it reaches out for the lowest. Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who are weary” (Matt. 11:26).
The salvation is great in its completeness – Paul said, “Who has delivered us?” (Col. 1:13-14).
The salvation is great in its capability – “Let the wicked forsake his way” (Isa. 55:7).
The salvation is great in its power – 1 Corinthians 10:13.
A GREAT SIN: “NEGLECT”:
When we neglect salvation, we sin against our better self. Neglect is a deadly sin. Most of hell’s inhabitants are guilty of neglect. Lot lingered in Sodom and his hesitation could have cost him his children and his wife (Gen. 19:15-16).
Just picture a man on Niagara River in a boat heading toward the falls. People shout and throw him a rope. All he has to do to die is neglect taking hold of the rope. When we neglect, we sin against the Savior. He made us and we owe our Maker certain obligations.
When we neglect, we sin against society. Our lives are bound together with others. We lift up or drag down by our influence. No man has the right to do or say anything that will cause others to be lost. Paul said, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak” (1 Cor. 8:9). Jesus said, “But whoever shall offend one of these…” (Matt. 18:6).
A GREAT SADNESS:
It is impossible to make heaven if we neglect salvation. We live in a doomed world (2 Peter 3:9-10).
Jesus is the only way out (Acts 4:12).
Jesus declared, “I am the way…” (John 14:6).
It is impossible to miss hell if we neglect. Thousands line the road that leads to hell. We see the liquor road, the pleasure road, the immoral road; but the broadest road is the neglect road.
The next world has only two places of abode: heaven and hell. The saved go to heaven to be with God forever. The unsaved go to hell and remain there; for there is no escape.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
the late Wayne Holland
