October 7th, 2012
Warning Against Neglecting Salvation
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 Founder of Salvation
Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are
speaking.
It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or
the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than
the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in
subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left
nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to
him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely
Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by
the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing
many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through
suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.
That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your
name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children
God has given me.”
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
