A Warning Against Neglect

In a 1st century letter to Philemon, Paul of Tarsus and his friend Timothy write to Philemon and those with him a warning. The warning is not just for the first century, it is an enduring warning. It is informed by the tendency of humans to slip or drift back to a place where we let our inherited sin nature overrule what we know to be our calling, against neglecting the salvation offered by God, essentially finalizing rebellion against God.

“…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.” ~ Hebrews 2:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

This drifting away is changing the story of salvation, neglecting it, embracing rebellion against God. Ending the hope of any who follow this wrong path to enter into a relationship with God.