“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…” (Hebrews 2:1-3).
Profound heavenly truths always have practical, down-to-earth applications. No New Testament book better demonstrates this fact than Hebrews.
The first urgent and somber exhortation of the book is recorded above.
The word “therefore” links the previous truths about God’s past revelations to His present revelation in His Son and the preeminent superiority of Jesus over angels (chapter 1) with the emphatic “we must” of practical, sobering, and individual application.
The need to listen hard—with greater earnestness and even closer, more careful and diligent attention—cannot be overemphasized.
The reason stated is a white knuckler: Since the Law given to Moses via the agency of angels (Acts 7:53) was authoritative over those Jews who lived from Mount Sinai to Mount Calvary and since every violation of its authorized legislation was justly punished, how much greater is the heinous crime of sinning against the gospel and allowing one’s salvation to slip away because of spiritual neglect and disobedience?
Such heinous, apostate behavior is inexcusable!
