How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? It does not say, "How shall we escape if we doubt or scorn or despise so great salvation?" It says only: How shall we escape, if we neglect?
Suppose a man has been poisoned, and a sure and certain antidote is provided for him. He does not need to throw it on the ground or trample it under foot. He has only to let it remain untouched by his bedside, and the result will be the same as if he had destroyed it in a passion or thrown it away in contempt.
Salvation includes three immense blessings: deliverance from the guilt of sin, from the mastery of sin, and from the consequences of sin. It is great because of its Author, because of the means by which it was accomplished, and because of its end and object. As we think of the immense price paid for salvation, the depth of misery from which it saves, the height of blessedness to which it raises, we see how great it is—great beyond the power of language to express.
Is this great and free and everlasting salvation yours, or are you neglecting it? Do not think that in order to lose your soul you must be guilty of many and terrible crimes. You have only to sit still and do nothing when Jesus stands at the door and knocks, to keep the door closed when He offers salvation. Simple neglect will keep the door closed.
If this is what you are doing, how shall you escape? On what good and solid ground can you rest any hope of escaping? God's Word plainly says: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)).