FACETS

 

FACETS 

Heb. 2:3: “…how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

 by Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC of Armagh, PA (11/15/25)

In Hebrews 2:1-4, we are warned about neglecting or making light (v. 2) of this GREAT salvation that was wrought in Jesus Christ, and which was solemnly affirmed and testified unto by the Triune God Himself (vv. 3-4). There is enormous urgency (“we must”) to pay closer attention to these matters (v. 1), lest we become unmoored and “drift away,” letting it flow past us. How do we drift away? Through our spiritual apathy, indifference, and nonchalance towards the things of God. But if we treasure this salvation as constituting that which is GREAT, awesome, and epic, then we cannot help but remain focused, impassioned, mindful, vigilant, and watchful!

 

Hebrews 2 builds upon Hebrews 1, which testifies as to the incomparable glory of Christ, who, as Deity, stands infinitely above all that is creaturely—even those mighty ministers of fire, the angels of God! This salvation is so GREAT because the Savior who wrought in on our behalf is so GREAT, and its cost was so GREAT, incurring so GREAT a penalty at Calvary!

 

Salvation has been likened to a multi-faceted diamond, because it has so many different aspects and effects (e.g., election, propitiation, regeneration, justification, sanctification, reconciliation, adoption, glorification, etc.). In point of fact, the more facets a diamond has, the more lustrous it will appear. With salvation, no single facet represents the entire story, so each aspect must be individually contemplated and illumined so that the splendor of the whole can be appreciated.

 

Ultimately, we can never fully plumb the depths of the great doctrines of the Faith; their depths are bottomless, their devotional value is limitless, and their impassioned reflection is the very essence of worship. So, even if your local church pastor is not super-eloquent like Charles Spurgeon, can we honestly sit there and remain apathetic when the great doctrines of the Faith are being accurately taught? Shouldn't the sublime content of the message be enough to thrill and delight us? Doesn't the GREATNESS of the subject outweigh the limitations of the preacher? How dare we be complacent and nonchalant regarding "so GREAT a salvation!"