Neglecting So Great Salvation (Part II)
Hebrews 2:1-4, 7:3-4, II Corinthians 6:1-2
I want to pick up this message from November, 2007.
I am talking about believers who take their salvation for guaranteed when they don’t receive everything that Jesus purchased for them in his glorious work of redemption. Everything that Jesus purchased for you in his work of redemption is available for you right now. It’s just a matter of you accepting what has been purchase for you. If you never accept your full salvation purchased by Christ in his work of redemption, then it will never become yours. Even though Christ purchased you full salvation, it will never become yours personally until you accept it for yourself. When you fail to receive everything that Jesus purchased for you in his work of redemption on the cross, then you have neglected your salvation. Now let’s look at our main scriptural text in Hebrews Chapter 2. We will see what the Apostle Paul had to say about you as a believer neglecting your salvation.
Hebrews 2:1-4
1 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.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 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;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Here in this passage of scripture, the Apostle Paul talks about salvation being neglected by believers not paying close attention to those things being spoken. The things that are being spoken of are those things that have been taught and preached from the word of God concerning our redemption. Listen to verse 1: 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. In other words, we as believers should give our full attention to the preaching and teaching of God’s word. We should be constantly reminding ourselves of what has been purchased for us by Christ in his work of redemption on our behalf. If we fail to give our full attention to those things which are spoken of in God’s word then we will allow those things to get away or slip by us. Satan will come immediately to take away those things which you have heard. Satan will even allow you to be distracted as the word is being preached or taught. He doesn’t want you to know or understand what belongs to you and what has been purchased for you when Christ redeemed you from your sins. Satan wants you to remain ignorant of what is rightfully yours. This way Satan knows that without you fully knowing what Jesus has purchased for you in his work of redemption, you will neglect your salvation. Now let’s look at verses 2-3: For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, 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. Verse 2 brings out that the word from God given or spoken by angels proved to be true and men were punished for their disobedience and rejection of God’s word then what does that say for us who neglect or take their salvation for guaranteed? Will we New Testament believers under the new covenant not be punished for our rejection or disobedience to God’s word? No sin or disobedience to God or his word will go unpunished. And those who take their salvation for guaranteed will also receive just punishment as well. Now this brings us to verse 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,
How are going to escape sickness and disease if we neglect so great salvation? Remember sickness and disease is apart of our salvation purchased by our Lord Jesus Christ. How shall we escape poverty if we neglect so great salvation? How are we going to escape death (spiritual, physical and the second death) if we neglect so great salvation? How are you going to escape freedom from fear if you neglect so great salvation? How are you going to escape your weaknesses and inabilities if you neglect so great salvation? How are you going to escape living a mediocre Christian life if you neglect or take so great salvation for guaranteed? How are you going to overcome the weakness of the flesh if you neglect so great salvation? How do you expect to live a long prosperous abundant Christian life, if you neglect so great salvation? How are you going to live a victorious Christian life here on earth if you neglect so great salvation? The reason why so many Christians live a mediocre life in Christ Jesus is because they have neglected or taken their salvation for guaranteed. They don’t understand all that salvation contains that will enable them to live a victorious Christian life. Most believers have not taken advantage of what our Lord Jesus Christ purchased for us in his great and glorious work of redemption on our behalf. The reason why the Apostle Paul calls salvation so great is because salvation is the greatest miracle that God has ever performed. The miracle of salvation is greater than the miracle God performed in bringing the children of Israel out of Egyptian Bondage. The miracle of salvation is greater than the miracle that Jesus performed when he raised Lazarus from the dead. The miracle of salvation is greater than the miracle Jesus performed when he raised up Jarius’ daughter from the dead. The miracle of salvation is greater than the miracle that Jesus performed when he turned water into wine at the marriage in Cana. The miracle of the salvation is greater than the miracle Jesus performed when he fed a multitude of 5,000 people with a little boy’s lunch of five fishes and two loaves of bread. The miracle of salvation is the miracle above all miracles that has ever been performed. It is the miracle that is linked to the miracle and power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead in securing our salvation. Salvation is a miracle that not even Satan himself can prevent from happening. When a person receives Christ as Savior and Lord of their life, there is no power on earth that can prevent or stop the new birth or your deliverance from taking place. It’s just an amazing act of God’s power displayed over the power and authority of darkness. And when you as a believer in Christ realize what is available to you in your redemption than you will take full advantage of your salvation made possible the blood of Christ shed for the remission of sin. You will go through life professing that you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you. You will no longer walk in sickness and disease because Matthew 8:16-17 tell us that Jesus himself took our infirmities (our sickness, pains and disease). He took them so that you will not have to bear them. When you realize that what is available to you through your redemption, you will not confess inabilities or weaknesses. You will realize that in Philippians 4:13 that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You will also confess Ephesians 6:10 that you are strong in the Lord and you are in the power of his might which is far greater than the power and authority of darkness. Your great salvation package also include living the abundant life. The abundant life is a life of overflow, having more than enough. This is made available to you through your great salvation provided by Christ. Therefore we do not confess poverty because the word of God says in II Corinthians 8:9 that Christ became poor that I might become rich. Philippians 4:19 says that My God shall supply all of your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Your salvation is wrapped up and tied up in Christ Jesus. Therefore walk in him and you will walk in you full salvation having need for nothing. In closing, I pray that this message have been a blessing to you. Take what is rightfully yours and live the abundant life in Christ that he came to offer you. It is yours for the taking made available through the redemptive work of Christ on your behalf. May God bless you richly and abundantly real good.
SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THE MONTH – January, 2008
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ. He is the only way by which man can come to God.
