Daily devotion – Wednesday 29th September 2021
Heb 2:3 – how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
The word ‘neglect’ is used often in today’s society. Often it is in a situation that is full of sadness and deep sorrow.
We see it used to describe cruelty to animals who have not been fed or cared for. It’s used worse still to describe children unloved and mistreated by their parents or carers.
The writer of Hebrews uses it in this context to describe neglect of so great a salvation – what does it mean?
If we neglect so great a salvation: The word ancient Greek word translated “neglect” is amelesantes, also used in Matthew 22:5 (they made light of it). This refers to those who disregarded the invitation to the marriage supper. It means to have the opportunity but to ignore or disregard the opportunity.
This is a word to Christians, not to the unsaved. The danger described isn’t rejecting salvation (though the principle certainly applies there also), but the danger is neglecting salvation.
Remember that Hebrews was written not primarily as an evangelistic tract, but as an encouragement and warning to discouraged Christians. It was written to those who neglected an abiding walk with Jesus.
“So great a salvation” – When we consider something great, we will naturally pay attention to it and not neglect it. If we do not consider something great, we leave it to convenience rather than to commitment.
Therefore, if we neglect something, we probably do not consider it great. Yet our salvation is great, because:
1. We are saved by a great Savior.
2. We are saved at a great cost.
3. We are saved from a great penalty.
A reason many neglect their salvation is because they never see it as salvation. They see it merely as receiving something, not as being rescued from something.
I pray that you as a follower of Jesus Christ can never be accused of neglecting your great salvation! Too many Church people treat lightly their walk with God – like a casual relationship. May that never be said of our love and thankfulness to our Saviour Jesus Christ who with every fibre of His being suffered the cruelty of the Cross so that we would indeed have a great salvation!