So Great a Salvation

So Great a Salvation

“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him . . . .” Heb. 2:3.

This salvation is so great that Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren. V. 11.

We read about Jesus, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” Read Hebrews 1:5. Jesus is the firstborn. V. 6. Thus it is also God’s will for us to be born to be His children, Jesus’ fellow brethren. We are called to such a great salvation. All things were put under His feet when He crushed the Serpent’s head in the days of His flesh.

As yet we do not see all things put under His feet. Quite often it appears as if Satan has gained the victory in our days. But that is so that we can gain the same victory as Jesus. All the angels have been sent out to serve us in this battle and in this salvation. We can be tempted by all kinds of things, but we are no longer tempted by something that we have under our feet. Then we have rest. We can be shaken in whatever area we are still human, but we are unshakable in whatever area the divine nature has been born in us. Therefore it is a continuous birth as our human nature is put to death and we partake of the divine nature. This is what the promises are all about. Peter writes, “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Pet. 1:4. Jesus put all human nature to death, and the fullness of the Godhead came to dwell in Him bodily. He is the firstborn, and as many of us as are partakers of this salvation follow Him. “But,” you say, “Jesus was different. It can’t possibly be like that with us.” Yet that is precisely what it can be. We are God’s children if we are led by the Spirit of God. But if we are children, then we are also heirs, God’s heirs and joint heirs together with Christ. Not different, but like Jesus. Therefore He is not ashamed to call us brethren. This is the “so great a salvation.”

Jesus, was the only One who was like God. He was the sole heir. But He did not consider it robbery. He also wanted us to be like God, to be joint heirs with Him. Therefore Jesus voluntarily renounced being like God and became like a man. He consecrated a new and living way, from man to God—a way on which man could become like God. You will inherit as much together with Christ as you have become like God. Therefore Jesus says: “To him who overcomes . . . as I also overcame” “If you keep My commandments . . . just as I have kept My Father’s commandments”; “That you love one another . . . as I have loved you”; “That they may be one just as the We are One”; “That they may be made perfect in one . . . that the world can believe.” But who has believed the message he has heard? In whom have the promises been fulfilled?

It says that the old heroes of faith did not receive the promise because God had provided something better for us. Heb. 11:39-40. Have you thought about the fact that God has provided something better for you than what He provided for the old heroes of faith that are mentioned in the previous verses? If you do not consider such a great salvation, how can you possibly think that you will escape God’s judgment?

You imagine you are so humble when you say, “I am so wretched; I’ll be happy enough to have my sins forgiven.” Those who say that demean Jesus’ work and despise God’s goodness. That is not humility; it is stubbornness. Jesus can save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. Heb. 7:25. You will not be judged because you are so wretched, but because you do not believe. “Yes,” you say, “but not all have faith.” Correct! Those who are unreasonable and wicked do not believe. 2 Thess. 3:2. You cannot believe in this salvation and at the same time love this world. You cannot believe in partaking of divine nature and at the same time love your self-life. “Yes,” you say, “I too believed once that I could become good, but unfortunately, I have seen that we cannot be anything but human.” When you say something like that, you also testify to the fact that you have cast away your good conscience and have therefore suffered shipwreck of your faith. 1 Tim. 1:19. You have ceased to be careful and to acknowledge your sin; therefore unbelief has gained power over you again. And then, of course, it is easier to sin daily and receive forgiveness. You thought that to behave like the widow toward the unrighteous judge was somewhat tiresome. Therefore you did not gain your right over your opposer, the devil, who goes around trying to devour whom he can. However, Jesus says, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8. He is sure to find faith for the forgiveness of sins, but faith for victory, faith for this “so great a salvation” is another question.

But God be thanked that there are still some people who strive for the faith that has been delivered to the saints. And you who have heard this message of faith must give the more earnest heed to it, lest you drift away.