Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty, 3how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, 4while God confirmed their witness with signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
So I got this crazy idea of going through Romans. I have just been consumed with the Word of God lately. I decided each day I was going to write out one scripture from Romans. Try to apply it to my life. And it took me a while but I finally got through it and I felt good about it. I got this idea from Psalm 40:8 I take Joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my Heart. So any time I find a scripture that speaks to my heart I write it down, as if to write it on my heart. I have ring bounded index cards I write them on or I just write them down if I’m prayer journaling or bible study, notes, etc. So once I finished writing though Romans I thought ok well, this was good! I should do another book and I chose Hebrews. I wrote out Hebrews and whewh! Hebrews is not an easy go lucky read at your leisure kinda book. It is complex and has intricate writing, discussing topics I wasn’t really cozy in. So I decided. I needed a bible study to accompany this very confusing text. I love Lisa Harper, bible teacher and author. I lover her style of teaching so I ordered Hebrews bible study and her video clips that go along with it. It has been going great and I highly recommend her commentary and bible study. She makes it easier to understand. We got through to Hebrews 2 and she highlights the importance of not drifting away (Hebrews 2:1). She reminds us all that If we are not actively pursuing Jesus with prayer and the word of God, then we are drifting.
As you go further in Hebrews, the unknown pastor of this sermon writes about neglecting our salvation.
And that hit me! What does that mean… to neglect our salvation? What does even mean?
I worked in Home Health and Hospice industry for about 10 years so when you work closely with nurses and caregivers of the elderly you hear a thing or two about neglect. The stories I heard would just break your heart. Neglect is basically torturing someone. It makes life on earth almost unbearable. Which brought me to the thought, how, Jesus, would it look like to neglect our salvation?
So I went and googled Neglect? Neglect means to fail to care for properly. The word Neglect in the Greek lexicon is Ameleó meaning- is of no regard, paid no attention, make light of.
Wait… you can pay no regard to your own salvation? What? You can make light of your own salvation? What?
We gotta figure this out. This cannot happen.
Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Our salvation is way too important.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Psalm 24:5 He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
1st Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ
Psalm 40:10 I did not hide your righteousness in my heart; I spoke about your faithfulness and salvation; I did not conceal your constant love and truth from the great assembly.
Neglect Salvation? I can’t take that lightly. I was rescued out of too deep a whole of sin and despair and to pay no regard to that?
Pay no attention to feeling so lost and abandoned and then being rescued out of the miry clay. Can I really do that?
I don’t know about you but I have been through it. Alcoholic parents, sexual abuse, childhood neglect and emotional trauma.
Really? I’m going to “make light of” of the salvation given to me by King Jesus who died on the cross and rose from the dead for me?
No, Nope, Negative ghost rider, Niet. I gotta figure this out.
Ok next… google search “what are the signs of neglect?”
Poor personal Hygiene, Malnutrition, Untreated Health issues, Hazardous conditions, Isolation, Confusion
OK, so in order to be conscientious of my Salvation: to not “neglect my Salvation”, I must address each of these signs of neglect. Right? Easy enough, Right?
1. Poor Personal Hygiene- Have you ever heard of the phrase, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness?” While this phrase is not in the bible, it links physical purity with spiritual purity. There is something to say about how you feel after a good bath. There seems to be a symbolic connection that your outward expression of your body is a reflection of your inward spiritual state. It puts your mind in a – “lets get ready to do something” mode.
a. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.
b. Romans 12:1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
- Malnutrition- Are you getting enough of the Word of God? Do you spend any, and I mean any, time scrolling social media on your phone? Then you have a little time to read the Word of God. Which by the way, is avaiable on that same phone you’ve been doom scrolling on. We have to be feed the Word of God daily. The Word is nourishment to your mind and your heart. You need it everyday just like you need to eat every day.
- John 6:51- I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
- Matthew 4:4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
- Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commands from his lips;
I have treasured[f] the words from his mouth more than my daily food. - Psalm 81:16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat; and with honey from the rocke I will satisfy you.
- Untreated Health Issues- I’m sure that you realize that if you don’t get enough food in your body, it causes you to become weak and debilitated? Well if Jesus is the bread of Life and Jesus is the word of God, then the word of God is healing to your body.
- Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;6 in all your ways know him,and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord and turn away from evil.8 This will be healing for your body[b]and strengthening for your bones.
- Psalm 38:1-3 Lord, do not punish me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 For your arrows have sunk into me,and your hand has pressed down on me.There is no soundness in my body
because of your indignation;there is no health[a] in my bones
because of my sin.
- Hazardous Living Conditions-Living in the flesh and neglecting the spirit is some dangerous living, my friend. Are you saved and going to heaven? Yes, but if you neglect your salvation then you are going to have a rough time of it on this earth.
- Ephesians 2:12In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
- John 10:10-11 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep
- 1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
- Romans 8:6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.
Peace and Joy are not for just the sweet by-and-by. We don’t have to wait to get to heaven to have these things! By walking in the spirit you can have life and have it abundantly!
Galatians 5:16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things
Matthew 11:28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”(THE MESSAGE)
Isolation- Have you ever watched one of those nature shows where the Lion is trying to attack and eat the gazelle? What does he do? He tries to isolate the one feeble and a little malnourished gazelle and pull them away from the rest of the herd. If he can do that he will surely catch his prey. Are you Isolated? Are you only hanging out with negative people? Are you a part of a church community that helps you stay connected to the body of Christ?
Hebrews 10:25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”
Confusion-Merriams-Webster dictionary online defines confusion as: to disturb in mind or purpose. Well if that doesn’t sum up this whole thing about neglecting salvation! The thought of neglecting the only salvation we have is confusing: Actively neglecting our salvation disturbs our minds and distracts us from our purpose. What is our purpose?- the greatest commandment- Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (strength).
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:1-2 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
In light of the greatest commandment, Lets look at signs of neglect just one more time.
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