We may safely say there never was such a time as the present for the preaching of the Gospel. Young and old, rich and poor, learned and illiterate, every grade and rank of society in Christendom, have heard in some way or another of this “great salvation.” Great, indeed, is our responsibility, and terrible the judgment of those who can afford to make light of it―who, busy with their merchandise or their money, their science or their pleasure, eager to please the world, or governed by the lusts of their own evil hearts, “neglect so great salvation.”
Some there are who, with the bold indifference of their skeptical minds, make light of God’s proffered mercy, think their own thoughts, and shut out God altogether.
Others, again, are fascinated by the gaudy tinsel of this “Vanity Fair,” the excitement of the “cup” or the billiard-room ― “the pleasures of sin for a season.”
Others, educated and cultivated, are seeking the advancement of commerce and science. But, dear reader, to whatever class you belong, pause, for you may be neglecting ― what? the eternal interests of your soul: despising ― what? the goodness of God, that would lead thee even now to repentance; braving ― what? “the wrath to come; “and all, that you may carry out your own desires, or satisfy your own ambition. Remember, friend! remember that the end of these things is death, and after death the judgment. What things? you say. Well, anything whatsoever that leads you to reject the Lord Jesus Christ, that keeps you from receiving “so great salvation.”
You will tell me that you are not a rejector of Christ, you do not like such strong expressions; you do sometimes think seriously, and attend to the ordinances of religion. Yes, dear soul; but, alas! your very religion may leave you where it found you ― if not a rejector, at least a, neglecter of this “great salvation.”
But why press this one thing so much? Because it is “so great,” and of such eternal importance, that it demands your immediate interest, it claims your whole attention. It is that which your soul needs. God wants now to make it yours; and if you neglect it, how shall you escape? The Apostle includes himself it this question, which defies all answer; yet surely he, if any, might have escaped by his own doings or efforts.
Why is it that Paul, by the Spirit, so qualifies this salvation? You have but to read the preceding chapter to get the answer: “God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son” (Heb. 1:22Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)). Measure the cross by Christ, and thus learn its meaning; consider the greatness of the Savior, and thus know what a salvation it must be.
With God from all eternity, higher far than the angels, co-equal with the Father, “the heir of all things,” “by whom also he made thy worlds” ― witness Him taking the place of a man, and then humbling Himself unto death, “even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:7, 87But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:7‑8)). Hear the Son, “which is in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)), crying out as the Sin-bearer, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:4646And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)), and as Psa. 22:1515My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psalm 22:15) expresses it, “Thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” See Him, in the language of Isa. 53:1212Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12), “pouring out his soul Unto death.” Or again, Jonah, as a figure of Christ in death, could say, “Thou hast cast me into the deep: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me” (Jonah 2:33For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. (Jonah 2:3)).
Remember who it is that now bears, at God’s right hand, the marks of His shame and death on Calvary. Was it not the Lamb, of God’s providing, that went from the heights of glory to the depths of woe? And why? That He might secure for us salvation―”so great,” because none less than the Son of God could work it out ― “the salvation of God,” for God Himself wrought it by His Son. Well may the Apostle say,” If the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense 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 it.” There is no escape; for” he that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:28-2928He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28‑29)) ― this same Spirit which now is pressing upon your acceptance this “great salvation.”
Oh, friend! will you trifle longer, and will you still delay or make excuse? God forbid! What will your business, your science, or your pleasure do for you before “the great white throne”? Awful is your guilt for so long neglecting; but now believe, even now decide for so great a Savior; and when “the great day of His wrath has come,” you shall be able to stand (Rev. 6:1717For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:17)).
On the other hand, you may have been awakened, and now you are feeling the greatness of your sins, your unfitness for God. Perhaps, moreover, you have been trying to improve your condition, to give up your sins. What a relief, then, for you to “stand still!” if now you are willing, and “see the salvation of the Lord” (Ex. 14:1313And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (Exodus 14:13)), to hear that shout of victory, “It is finished!” (John 21:30); to believe in Him who, by the shedding of His own blood, “obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)). What must the love be that gives you “so great salvation?” what the grace that invites you, where and as you are, to receive such a Savior? Fear not, then, dear soul! but learn that Christ is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey (or receive) him” (Heb. 5:99And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9)).
“Salvation! oh, salvation!
Endearing, precious sound!
Shout, shout the word Salvation
To earth’s remotest bound.
Salvation for the guilty,
Salvation for the lost,
Salvation for the wretched,
The sad and sorrow-toss’d.
Salvation without money,
Salvation without price,
Salvation without labor,
Believing doth suffice;
Salvation now―this moment!
Then why, oh! why delay?
You may now see to-morrow,
Now is salvation’s day!”
T. E. P.