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How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3) - JS Gillespie  

Humanity has a habit of ignoring and neglecting the critically important, wither it be the rise of second World War dictators, the leak from a Ukrainian nuclear reactor or the current moral and spiritual confusion in the western world, we have a habit of burying our head in the sand and hoping the problems will disappear. God's men and God's message has over the years suffered a similar fate. Noah preached for 100 years, pointing men and women to repentance and presenting the righteousness and holiness of God. Only 8 responded. Jeremiah's ministry to Israel was likewise met with indifference, the prophet laments to his audience; "is it nothing to you all you who pass by?". The word of God had gone missing, lost in amongst the archives of the temple, in the days of Josiah, and the attitude of the world towards Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, went way beyond simple neglect! 

The writer to the Hebrews perceives a danger not primarily from open hostility to Jesus Christ but from letting the gospel simply wash over them. Lip service was no substitute for heart devotion to Jesus! They stood to miss out on a "great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3), a salvation that was great in it's:

  • Plan - set out in the OT of the bible for 2000 years 
  • Power - this message of salvation has the power to forgive sins and transform lives 
  • Person - Jesus Christ, the Son of God is it's source and subject 

It is one thing to acknowledge the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is quite another to be transformed by that truth.

A video and audio recording from our gospel preaching series, on great gospel verses, preached at the Bridgend Gospel Hall, New Cumnock, Scotland.

Yours by Grace in Christ

Dr J Stewart Gillespie