Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord… I. "SALVATION" is the grand thought. 1. Consider salvation in its origin. May it not be termed "so great salvation"? God is its Author. It was planned in the councils of eternity; it is the fruit of infinite wisdom. Great, we own, is creation; greater far is redemption. God creates by the word of His power; He redeems by the blood of His Son; new-creates by the power of His Spirit. 2. Salvation is so great: when we remember its nature. It saves from great sins. Christ is "able to save unto the uttermost." 3. It saves from great dangers. 4. There is salvation from great enemies. But we have given only one side of salvation — deliverance. Positive blessings belong to it. Salvation might be termed "so great," if it were only for the blessedness it brings to the heart now; in this life; Christ's peace, Christ's joy, Christ's wondrous love. But man has a destiny reaching away into the great eternity. When we think of man as he is, what be deserves, what he well may fear, guilty, depraved, condemned — as he shall be, when purified, glorified — is not salvation rightly styled "so great "? II. Think now of the word "NEGLECT." Easy were it to show that such " neglect" is a great calamity, and a great crime. 1. This neglect is common. Alas! how many ,how their neglect in their lives — by open sin, by contempt of God's Word, God's day, God's house. 2. It is inexcusable. Vain and flimsy as a spider's web are all excuses. The real reason why men neglect so great salvation is because they love this world more than God; time more than eternity; their sins more than their souls. 3. Neglect is foolish. What should we think of a prisoner who should bug the chains that bind him? 4. Neglect is easy. In one sense, it in hard for sinners to perish. God in mercy sets barriers in the way. In another sense, it is an easy thing. "Neglect!" The man in business does not need to gamble in order to go bankrupt; all he needs is to neglect his business. 5. When we add it is fatal, this brings us to the third word — III. "ESCAPE." "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" (D. S. Brunton.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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; |
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