Neglecting Jesus Christ

    Hebrews 2: 1-4 gives us three important reasons why we should receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.  “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, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”

   First, because of Who Jesus Christ is.  The word “therefore” refers us back to chapter one.  There we have a description of Jesus Christ:

  v       Verse 2—He is the Heir of all things
v       Verse 2 –He is the Creator of the universe
v       Verse 3—He is the Radiance of the glory of God
v       Verse 3—He is the exact representation of the divine nature
v       Verse 3—He is the sustainer of the universe
v       Verse 3—He is the purifier from sin
v       Verse 3—He is sitting at the right hand of God the Father
v       Verses 4-6—He is worshipped by all the angels.
v       Verses 7-9—He is exalted and anointed above angels
v       Verses 10-14—He is the unchanging creator

   No wonder we are to “give the more earnest heed” to the things we have heard from Him.  No wonder we dare not “drift away” from His Word.

   Second, because of what we face.  Hebrews 2: 2-3 tells us that since every transgression and disobedience in the Old Testament time received a just reward, what makes us think we will escape just judgment if we neglect the salvation that is in this Jesus Christ (just described)?  The point is, we will not!  The world today wants to make salvation available to any and every group or religion as long as they are sincere.  But, Acts 4:12 still says (speaking of Jesus Christ), “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

   Our world also wants to try to explain away divine justice and hell.  But the fact remains that Jesus taught more about hell than He did about heaven.

   The third reason we should receive Jesus Christ as our Savior is because of how God the Father “bore witness” to that gospel message—Hebrews 2:3.

   Do you remember what Jesus said in John 10:38?  “But if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”  How about Peter’s reminder in Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know.”  These confirming signs continued through the apostolic age—II Corinthians 12:12, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.”

   Thus, three great reasons a person should not neglect the gospel of salvation:  Who Jesus Christ is, What we face, and How God confirmed that Gospel.

   I implore you, do not neglect Jesus Christ.  Neglect of Christ’s salvation will cost you eternal life, eternal blessings, and joy, and will bring you to eternal judgment and punishment.  Romans 10:13, “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”