¹ Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ² For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, ⁴ while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 2:1-4

There is an echo of Romans 6, in these first verses of Chapter 2. “Shall we go on sinning?“, Paul asks. Or of 1 John 2:1, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.” As we come from the glorious declarations of chapter 1, where we see the divinity of Christ laid out plainly before us, we come to the inevitable response, in that we must deal with our sinfulness. It always stands in contrast to His holiness, and must be as plain to us as His holiness is. The greater reveals the lesser, and the demands of divine justice upon it.

“Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Every Christian has seasons of struggle with sin, even as we must combat it daily in our lives. Whatever we deal with, be it doubt, fear, pride, idolatry, lust, greed, envy, anger, or any other sin, we must seek to mortify the flesh, and to put to death these things within ourselves, all the while keeping our eyes and ears focused on what we have heard, the Gospel, so we do not wander from it’s reliable and gracious promises.

We know, that in God’s holiness, there is a just retribution for every sin we commit, and it only takes one to separate us from Him. Not that we are earning our salvation, as if we could pay Jesus back for His gift of grace (this would truly cheapen His work, and prove it unnecessary, as we could attain to it ourselves) but in pure love and devotion, we come to Him and give ourselves over to Him in thanksgiving and obedience. For, as the author says, there is no escape from the wrath of God apart from this work that Christ has done for us. There is no hope apart from Him. We are utterly lost, and bound for destruction, rightfully so, if we do not have Him.

In Isaiah 6, we see the prophet’s abject terror, due to his own state of sin, before the presence of the Righteous One. And not until God calls for his cleansing, do we see Him dare utter another word before Him. He knows he is undone, and that it would be good, and right, and just if God were to do away with Him in that moment, casting him forever aside and into the fiery wrath of judgement. But God, in His mercy spares the prophet-to-be, and instead includes him in His work.

Just as God chooses to show mercy on whom He will have mercy, we must respond to that mercy with an attitude of responsibility to faithfulness before Him. Just as this salvation has been given to us, so we ought to give ourselves over to it, and the work that He calls us to in it. We cannot neglect this salvation, the message that carries it, nor the work of our hearts and hands that bear witness to it as the Holy Spirit gifts us to do so, and orchestrates our days in order that the full number of those whom God might call might hear, and that He might be glorified.

Prayer & Examine

Father, I know You have called me to live out my days according to Your purpose and for Your glory in Christ Jesus. I also know my failings, and hos I fall short of the glorious work You have called me to. Please, through Your Holy Spirit, examine my heart, see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me to Your righteousness and the salvation which redeemed me from death, and into Your service. Create in me a distaste for sin. My the gorge rise in my throat, and may I become utterly disgusted with my sin, so that I remember Your distaste for it, too. Call me to pursue You today, and to leave behind the flesh that would entangle me, bringing me to ruin, had You not first called me.

I confess my sin, and my need for You, Jesus.
Holy Spirit, strengthen me to purity, righteousness, and obedience.
Father, grant me Your wisdom, that I might know the lies of my flesh, and the whispers of our enemy, and walk in Your truth alone. May this all be for Your glory, and stand as evidence of Your redeeming work in all whom You call according to Your purpose.

Amen.