NEGLECT ~ DANGER OF DRIFTING!"

Those who are "lost" REJECT God! But let us also realize this warning for every child of God today ~ a warning that there is danger of drifting, or better worded, NEGLECT!

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Hebrews 2:1

"Let them slip" is drift past them. It indicates neglect! Neglect in any area of life is tragic, but in the spiritual realm, hearing the gospel message and doing nothing about it is infinitely more tragic!

What must one do to be lost? Nothing! We are given the answer in our Bible for what "what must I do to be saved?" in Acts 16:31 ". . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. . ." But what is the answer for "What must I do to be lost?"
Well, the answer is nothing! We belong to a lost human family. We are not on trial. God doesn't have us on trial ~ we are lost! Today He is saving some ~ those who will turn to Christ. The rest are already lost. You don't do anything to be lost, because that is your natural condition. But Christians can do something to help the "lost" if we don't neglect the Gospel message of God! The "lost" will remain "lost" without the "believers" help!

When you move neglect to a higher realm, hearing the gospel message and doing nothing about it is infinitely more tragic! So many people hear and give mental assent to it, but do nothing about it. "NOW" is the accepted time! "NOW" it the day of salvation! There is real danger in drifting!

"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward." Hebrews 2:2

For example, when the two angels came to Sodom with the announcement that Sodom was to be destroyed, Sodom WAS destroyed ~ exactly as they said! In fact, whenever an angel brought a message, you could depend on its being carried out just as it was stated.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." Hebrews 2:3

Do you know a way of escape? The only way is Christ. He said so in John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." In the Scriptures we also read, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 16:25). There are many ways that seem right to men ~ but the end are the ways of death! How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? What do you do to be lost? Nothing! You can be lost by neglect. "Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord" is, of course, the Lord Jesus when He was here. He said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden . . ." (Matthew 11:28); and "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). "And was confirmed unto us by them that heard him" refers to His disciples and others who heard Him and witnessed His death and resurrection ~ then went everywhere preaching the gospel. Are we, as His followers, going everywhere we can be going and sharing the "good news" of salvation through Christ Jesus? Or are we just merely neglecting our responsibilities as children of God?

"God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" Hebrews 2:4

"God also bearing them witness" (verifying the message) continues the thought from verse 2:3. Those who had heard Jesus speak and then had passed on His words also had the truth of their words confirmed by "signs and wonders and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost." In the book of Acts, miracles and gifts of the Spirit authenticated the Good News wherever it was preached (read Acts 9:31-42; 14:1-20). Paul, who discussed spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4, taught that their purpose is to build up the church, making it strong and mature. When we see the gifts of the Spirit in an individual or congregation, we know that God is truly present. As we receive God's gifts, we should thank Him and put them to use in the church and in our daily lives.

What tremendous truths we have here in the first danger warning. It is a warning sign, not about speeding up but about drifting ~ just drifting by these great truths which we may have been taking for granted.

Application: There is great danger in neglect in every area of life. We must pay careful attention as we hear the Gospel of Christ ~ focusing our mind, heart, body and senses. Listening to God's Word means not merely hearing, but also obeying. We must be His witnesses ~ spread the Gospel! Christians, one and all, Stop Drifting ~ Share God's "Good News"!!!

Today's Devotion: "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was santified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:29

God Bless You All as you change your "neglect" to "infect" with the Gospel and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.