Today’s Word

Our Great Salvation

 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Heb 2:1-3) 

We might take for granted the ministry of angels today, but the Hebrew writer does not.  They played a huge part in his faith.  He links the ministry of angels with our great salvation.  He does not only speak here of the salvation we are most familiar with: becoming a new creature, receiving forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  The salvation he refers to has wider meaning to include angelic ministry.  The word salvation implies deliverance, rescue and assistance on every level: spirit, soul and body. 
Angels engage in a vital part of the process of our great salvation.  They are often sent by God to rescue, deliver, and direct us out of trials and temptations.  They might bring a message to us or reveal something to us as a help in escaping any trial, temptation, or some demon onslaught against us.    
Some self proclaimed believers, like the Sadducees of old, do not believe in angels. (Acts 23:8)  They will tell you that God only ministers to us through the Holy Spirit today. That is wrong!  Are we better than Jesus?  Angels ministered to him. (Mark 1:13, Luke 22:43)  Furthermore, when Paul was being taken to Rome to stand before Caesar, (as God had told him he must) crossing the Sea their ship was in peril for many days.  Paul fasted and prayed.  Notice, an angel brought him a message. 
”And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” (Act 27:22-24) 
Consider also, in the Book of Acts we are told that the apostle James was suddenly and brutally killed by King Herod. (Acts 12:1-2)  Peter was also sought, soon found and would have been killed too, but because a Holy Feast of Israel had commenced, his execution was delayed.  Read the story for yourself in its entirety and consider that this gave the church time to pray and make their petition to God on Peter’s behalf.  (Prayer makes a difference, it can change things dramatically – Acts 12:12)  If you read the story you’ll read that Peter was not anxious, neither was he fretting, worrying, wondering, or even sad that James had been martyred.  Instead he was sound asleep, however in a jail, and bound by chains to two guards.  An angel was sent and delivered him. 
“And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” (Act 12:11) 
Peter understood after he was supernaturally and spectacularly delivered, that it was an angel who directly delivered him.  The Lord or the Holy Spirit directed this “great deliverance” but the agent was an angel.  Wouldn’t you like to KNOW when angelic ministry is serving your needs?  Or are you going to let those who have not given “earnest heed” to these things, have “neglected” this “great salvation” and let these truths slip from their faith? 
The Hebrew writer said our “great salvation”, can be neglected.  He then asks “How shall we escape if “we neglect” it?  God’s great salvation includes the ministry of angels?  God doesn’t neglect anything, but we can, and we often do!       
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Co 10:13) 
God makes a way of escape from common temptations.  But if you ignore it, or neglect it, or worse, refuse to believe it, is it God’s fault?  Misinterpretation of scriptures has done much to add to our neglect.  For instance, the teaching that claims God sends the trial that is tempting you.  James heard that teaching in his day and addressed it boldly with purpose of clarity.     
“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temps he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (James 1:12-14) 
James said “Let no man say” when he is tempted that God is doing it.  So I’m not going to say it!  Neither will I let my teachings lead you to think that nonsense.  No one can stop you from letting someone else say it to you, and potentially spoil your faith, but not me.  James said to endure the temptations.  That’s what Peter, the church and Paul did under the circumstances they encountered.  Peter seemed to expect deliverance!  The church prayed for his deliverance, how many expected it we don’t know.  But the point is, the early church was not as pacified in its faith and prayer as it is today.  They knew to pray for a great salvation and therefore saw some.     
 
Peter warned us not to think it strange concerning our trials. (1 Pet 4:12)  As servants of God we should expect them.  He later pointed out that Satan comes at us “like a roaring lion”.  He taught that we can and should resist the devil steadfast in faith. (1 Pet 5:8-9)  James said the same thing. (James 4:7) 

Don’t let anyone, no matter how well meaning they may seem, lead you become passive in your faith toward God.  God has made a way of escape for your every problem.  Seek for it in prayer earnestly.  Expect the way to be revealed to you.