Hebrews 2:1-3

“The hardest thing about milking cows,” once quipped a farmer, “is that they never stay milked.”

Isn’t this true of so many areas of our lives? Doing something once is not enough. It must be repeated over and over again. Like…

…Doing laundry.
…Washing dishes.
…Brushing your teeth.
…Vacuuming your house.
…Cleaning your car.
…Getting a haircut.
…Mowing the grass.
…And, of course, eating!

We understand the necessity of regular maintenance regarding the care of our cars, upkeep of our homes, and updating our computers. And whether we do it or not, we’re constantly reminded that good health depends on a proper diet, exercise, sleep, and regular physical checkups.

Why do we think our spiritual lives are any different?

In this text the Hebrew writer reminds us that we need constant, spiritual maintenance to remain faithful.

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 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.

Consider these 4 important points.

#1 We must pay careful attention to keep on hearing what we’ve heard before.

Just because we’ve read a Bible verse once doesn’t mean that we totally understand it. Hearing a sermon topic doesn’t always translate into internalizing it. Knowing the Truth is not the same as obeying it. Are we paying careful attention? Closer attention? Full attention? Earnestly hearing and heeding God’s Word?

#2 We can become unfaithful.

The Bible teaches the possibility of apostasy. Just like Paul said some Galatians had fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4), the Hebrew author affirmed we can “drift away.” Just like floating on a raft in the Ocean, we can find ourselves adrift spiritually. Far away from the safety of the shore before we even realize it.

Just like no one purposely decides to place themselves in danger by drifting away miles into the ocean, no Christian decides one day to quit. It happens gradually. Day by day. Week by week. Little by little. Until one day we realized that we are not where we once were spiritually.

#3 We must stay focused on the great salvation for daily maintenance.

Think about your salvation. The writer calls it “great.” To speak of something being great we are saying it is remarkably outstanding. Highly significant. Especially notable. Extraordinarily wonderful. Exceedingly substantial. Great is enormous. Immense. Tremendous..

But how? And why is salvation so great?

• Salvation’s great because it’s inspired by God’s great love.
• Salvation’s great because it’s prompted by God’s great grace.
• Salvation’s great because it’s motivated by God’s great mercy.
• Salvation’s great because it’s available by God’s great gift.
• Salvation’s great because it’s accessible by God’s great plan.
• Salvation’s great because it results in great spiritual blessings.
• Salvation’s great because of its great reward.

#4 How will you escape?

Escape what?

The second coming of Christ. God’s judgment. Eternal punishment.

One may escape serious harm in this life even when we fail to pay attention to important matters. There may be a remedy, repair, or solution. One may be saved by drifting in the ocean before it’s too late.

However, if we neglect the great salvation, die, and face God in judgment, how shall we escape? What a frightening, dreadful thought.

This powerful and sobering admonition reminds us to stay alert. Pay attention. Listen. Learn. Grow. Do daily spiritual maintenance.

Don’t neglect the great salvation.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman