The scripture warns about the danger of neglecting one’s salvation in reference to those that neglected the law of Moses. It says, if those who violated the Sinai law were held accountable and received punishment of the law. (Heb.10:28) Those who willfully neglect the law of Christ after they have received the knowledge of the truth would in the same manner not escape more severe punishment of going against the knowledge of the truth. Their punishment shall be more severe in the sense that they have rejected something that is greater than the law of Moses and insulted God’s grace that was revealed on the cross. (Heb.10:29)

One must therefore give the more earnest heed to the things he has heard, lest he drift away. (Heb.2:1) The knowledge that salvation comes to us through Jesus demands our serious attention and our responsibility to keep and hold fast to it that we may not drift away. Having been saved according to the mercy of God through faith in Jesus Christ and the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit requires our greater responsibility to keep the knowledge of the word and work of God so we do not drift away. The bible warns against neglecting such divine gift; “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, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders...according to His own will?” (Heb.2:3,4) Considering the work of salvation as God’s provision to rescue mankind from sin and offers restoration and eternal life to us, neglecting such divine gift would be a risk that is not worth taking and drifting away is not worth experiencing.

Salvation is neglected when one is not aligning to his greater responsibility of keeping the knowledge of the word and work of God as delivered to him. When one’s conduct is contrary to his knowledge of the truth. When he willfully engages in sin and becomes so comfortable in the act to the extent that he takes delight in grieving the Holy Spirit by not obeying the word of God and doesn’t care to repent and seek forgiveness for his errors. When he stops having communication with God through prayers and intentionally forsaking the gathering of the saints and avoiding partaking in the holy communion.

For one to align to one’s responsibility is to abide by the word and the work of God as delivered to him. The responsibility includes contending with the revealed word of God instead of seeking for confirming miracles. Seeking for confirming miracles is questioning the sufficiency and efficacy of the written word of God. And when the sufficiency of the word of God is in doubt, there is the tendency that one will harden his mind in rebellion, reject the word, and thereby drift away from the law of Christ. The Bible says, “Do not harden your hearts as in rebellion...” (Heb.3:8a) One should instead be faithful and obedient to the word of God by submitting his intellect and emotion to the control of the Word. Salvation makes believers responsible towards one another through bearing and sharing of burdens. For example, by helping to restore falling brothers or sisters, and encouraging those who are struggling to remain faithful to the Lord. And in the same manner, those who are being encouraged do not ignore the encouragement but submit themselves to the exhortation of the brethren. (Gal.6:1,2) Caring for one another is a display of love of Christ and it helps one to hold on fast to one’s salvation and prevent one from drifting away. Brethren, it is through salvation that we became partakers of Christ. We should understand also that salvation is not merely a one-time experience. We must therefore hold fast our confidence as it was in the beginning and continue to be faithful and obedient to the law of Christ to the end. (Heb.3:14) It is by holding fast our confidence to the knowledge of the word and the work of God which we heard in the beginning that we can continually hold fast to our salvation and remain obedient and faithful to the end of our kingdom journey.

May we never drift away from the great salvation in Jesus glorious name. Amen

Evangelism Salvation comes through faith in Jesus. Share this truth with someone today.

Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre