Text: Hebrews 2:1–4
By: UTO, Joel
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INTRODUCTION
The passage gives a warning, the consequence, and the remedy regarding the neglect of the great salvation and gradually drifting away from God.
A boat drifts when it slackens gradually from its tether. It does not need a storm to drift. That is the idea for the Christian to understand in today’s message.
Drifting starts with carelessness: “It doesn’t matter” or “I will find time to…”which never become.”
Apathy begins in the heart and gradually leads to drifting away.
When we become careless of the messages of God that come to us in various lessons and exhortations, we drift. We need to hold the great salvation with serious attention.
DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS
Apathy
Apathy is a state of indifference or lack of concern, spiritual coldness, and lack of enthusiasm towards the things of God.
It may be understood in the light of the Laodicean brethren in Revelation 3:15.
Falling Away
Falling away is the gradual process of turning away from the faith, truth, obedience, and various fellowships of the church.
Drifting Away
Drifting away, on the other hand, shows a departure that may happen little by little, without a conscious decision to reject God.
OBSERVATIONS / CAUSES
Neglect of Our Relationship with God
A Christian may not choose to move away from God in one day.
It starts by failing to do the needful: neglecting prayers, losing interest in spiritual activities in the church, making excuses in one way or the other, selecting fellowships to attend, neglecting to visit the weak, neglecting Bible study, becoming complacent, and eventually becoming comfortable with sin and rationalizing it.
Anything set in line with the Spirit of Jesus, of goodness, love, and peace, is contrary to the biblical principle set by Paul.
Philippians 3:13–14 (KJV): “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
A Lack of Discipline Breeds Apathy
Reference: 1 Corinthians 9:26–27
What we continually neglect, we gradually lose sight of. Therefore, we must guard our hearts and remain steadfast in Christ.
UNDERSTANDING – HEBREWS 2:1–4
Verse 1 — The Warning
We ought to give more earnest heed to the things of God we have heard, lest we drift away.
Drifting is gradual; it is carelessness, and it is quiet and common.
Verse 2 — The Seriousness of God’s Message
The seriousness of God’s message demands a response.
Verse 3 — The Danger of Neglect
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Verse 4 — God’s Confirmation
God bore witness to the message of salvation through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
By this, the Christian’s belief is reaffirmed as we read the Scripture.
THE DANGERS OF SPIRITUAL APATHY
Apathy Makes Christians Careless About God’s Word
Hebrews 2:1 (KJV): “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
The Christian life requires intentional attention to the Word of God. We hear the Word but do not obey it, correct ourselves with it, or practice the truth.
The greatest danger is that the Word of God no longer guides our lives. Other influences begin to shape our beliefs and conduct. We drift away slowly without knowing how.
Prayerlessness, frequently missing fellowships, and enjoying worldly pleasures. A Christian leaves God by drifting. James 1:22; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17.
Neglect of What Should Be Valued
Neglect is not rejection. When you say, “I will do it later,” and it becomes “never,” it is neglect.
Salvation is so great; to neglect something great is a great sin. God judges us on what we reject and neglect. Ephesians 2:8–10; Philippians 1:6.
Apathy Causes Spiritual Drifting
Spiritual drifting begins with irregular prayers, burdensome Bible reading and study, and routine worship. Fellowship becomes unimportant.
Small acts of neglect can develop into serious spiritual decline if left unchecked. Proverbs 4:23; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 2:1–4.
Weakened Spiritual Vigilance
Spiritual vigilance means remaining watchful, prayerful, humble, and responsive to the Holy Spirit.
However, a careless Christian may begin to justify sinful attitudes and behaviours that once troubled their conscience.
We become indifferent to spiritual matters without examining our hearts for possible temptations.
Matthew 26:41 (KJV): “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 1 Peter 5:8–9; Ephesians 6:10–18.
We must watch over our hearts, not assuming that our yesterday’s spiritual strength guarantees today’s faithfulness 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Loss of Escape Route
Reference: Hebrews 2:2–3
Under the Old Testament, every disobedience was punished accordingly.
How much more serious is it to neglect the New Testament given by Christ? There is no other salvation.
Acts 4:12 (KJV): “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
If you fall away, there is no escape route!
The Danger of Facing a Greater Judgement
Reference: Hebrews 2:2
The more light you have received, the more judgement you will face if you walk away.
Those who fall away trample the Son of God (Christ) and count His blood as unclean.
Hebrews 10:29 (KJV): “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” 2 Peter 2:17–19.
Apathy Is the First Step to Apostasy
Apostasy is completely turning your back on God. This brings the heaviest judgement. Let us be guided by being faithful.
To the unbelievers/the sinner:
Obey the Gospel today and continue living a faithful life thereafter.
Mark 16:16 (KJV): “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Revelation 2:10 (KJV): “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
CONCLUSION
Hebrews 2:1–4 gives us a solemn warning. We must not neglect the great salvation God has so graciously provided through Jesus Christ.
Spiritual decline often begins with little things that appear harmless. However, neglect of fellowships, postponed obedience, prayerlessness, and indifference to the Scriptures can gradually weaken our spiritual lives.
Let us pay attention to God’s Word, watch against spiritual carelessness, treasure the great salvation, and hold firmly to Christ.
Amen.
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