The Consequences of Neglect

My purpose in this forum is to encourage others by making application of Scriptural principles to leadership and ‘real life’ subject matter.”--RT

[Excerpt from "The Discipleship Dilemma," by R. Templeton]

Neglecting Salvation

Hebrews 2:1-4 contains a warning that should shock and get the focused attention of believers who view justification as “fire insurance,” and who go through life with one foot in the Kingdom, and the rest of their body and soul immersed in the things of this world and the cares of life:

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 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, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"  [emphasis mine]

Having established firmly in previous sections that salvation spoken of by Paul in the New Testament refers to a process by which we are changed into the image of Christ, we may now turn full attention to the mechanics of the process. Examining the mechanics begins with acknowledging the warning Paul gave to the believers he addressed with the Book of Hebrews that "just reward" will be recompensed for disobedience and transgression. The warning is included in Chapter 2, Verse 3—neglecting salvation will result in "not escap[ing]." That, of course, leads us to the natural question of "Escape from what?", and "Escape to what?"

Hebrews Chapter 1 concludes with a reference to the role of angels in our life: "14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" In this context, the "ministration" delivered by angels to men is to assist and encourage them in obtaining their inheritance of salvation. (Note that chapter divisions in Scripture are not in the original text and are not considered inspired.) If you will permit a paraphrase of Paul's message in the early verses of Chapter 2, this is what he is saying: "Church, salvation [the transformation process] is your inheritance, your birthright! But if you are not intentional, it is possible to drift away and suffer loss--or even never take possession of--your spiritual inheritance. This 'drifting away' is the result of neglect." "Neglecting salvation" results when we fail to understand the Big Why in life is to be transformed into the image of Christ, not collect possessions and learning to be "nice."

In the context of spiritual pursuit, neglect is defined as:

1. to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight;

2. to be remiss in the care or treatment of;

3. to omit, through indifference or carelessness;

4. to fail to carry out or perform (orders, duties, etc.)

5. to fail to take or use: to neglect no precaution

Neglecting salvation means to be spiritually lazy, spiritually ignorant, spiritually shallow, spiritually separated, or to remain spiritually dead. Neglecting salvation results when we take to easy road of failing to struggle against sin, and choose a life of "ease," free of conflict with the enemy and/or our flesh. Neglect could look like any number of acts or omissions--from addiction to pornography and lust, to going to church twice a year on Christmas and Easter, just to keep your account active!

The answer to the questions "Escape From what?", and "Escape to what?", then, becomes obvious when we remember our natural state--immersed in, and overcome by, the flesh. So, in a nutshell, by the salvation process we escape from the influence and dominance of the flesh in our life, and we escape into the transformed image of Christ, the renewal of our mind, and the regeneration of all that which was formerly dead in us. By our intentional and dedicated effort to engage in His salvation, we are brought ever closer in soul-union with the Father; and that union is our inheritance. Neglecting salvation is an egregious mistake, comparable to Esau's surrender of his inheritance recorded in Hebrews 12:16-17:

"[See] that no one becomes immoral and profane like Esau, who gave up his inheritance rights in return for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears."

Paul's is a somber warning in Hebrew 2:3 and 12:17 should stir us into intentional action to pursue our promised inheritance. It is just plain scary that, like Esau, we could arrive at a place of neglect so profound that there remains only rejection with no possibility of repentance, even with pursuit and with tears. There remains no excuse--the consequences of complacency and neglect of salvation are too grave; and, after all, angels are standing by to help you gain your inheritance!