Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 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, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The author of Hebrews is unknown, as is the specific audience he is writing to, although it does appear to be composed mainly of Jewish believers. This letter is steeped in references to the Old Testament and assumes a familiarity with the sacrificial system contained in it.
This passage reflects a common concern in Hebrews. A concern that the letter’s audience might drift away and neglect the great salvation found in Jesus. In this passage, the author references a message declared by angels, likely a reference to Deuteronomy 28. That chapter contains the blessings for obeying God’s commands and the curses for disobedience. And their disobedience did indeed result in a just retribution.
And, if that was true then, why should we think that it will be any different now? The salvation we have received is much greater than the salvation from Egyptian slavery that Israel had experienced. So why should we think that we would escape the consequences of neglecting our great salvation?
Of course, that raises two significant questions. The first is what might be meant by drifting away or ignoring our great salvation. For the original audience, this likely meant abandoning Jesus and returning to Jewish practices. For us, it could easily have the same connotation. After becoming believers, to live as if we were still a part of this world. A failure to leave our old way of life and live the life that Jesus has called us to live.
And the consequences of that failure? The example in this passage, as well as the examples to come, would cast doubt on our actual salvation. Our salvation is not a one-and-done event that happened sometime in the past. It involves a life lived under the Lordship of Jesus. To neglect our great salvation would be to live life on our own terms. And we do that to our own eternal peril.
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