“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
– Hebrews 2:1
Main Thought: The message which the writer of Hebrews was speaking of to not “drift away from” was the message of the Gospel, the message of Christ’s sacrifice for sin which was prophesied in the Old Testament. The Hebrews knew what happened to their predecessors from centuries earlier when they drifted away from the warnings of God that came through Moses to the Israelite people, which they ignored and suffered great judgment from God. However, what does it mean to drift away from this message? To drift away from this message means to reject the revelation of God’s Son, through whom God the Father delivered the message of salvation, which is based upon the shed blood of Christ. Jesus said in John 5:26 “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.” To drift away means to reject the only way, the only payment for sin to God the Father, who is the Son, and the message that came directly from His only begotten Son. When the Jews of Jesus’ day cried out “crucify him, crucify him” to Pontius Pilate, they were rejecting the only way of salvation (Matt. 27:16-26; Mark 15:7-15; Luke 23:18-25; John 18:40). Later on in Hebrews 2:3, the writer asks the rhetorical question “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” The reality is that if we drift away from and neglect such a great salvation, it means sure and certain judgment from God for rejecting His Son, His grace, and His mercy. There is only one sure way of escaping the judgment of God, and that is to listen to God’s message of salvation which is through Jesus Christ. Have you drifted away from and neglected such a great salvation, or have you paid heed to God’s message of salvation in Christ alone? If you have not, then call upon him and do not turn away from this eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Savior.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19