Vol.15 No.3

The Unanswerable Question
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…”  Hebrews 2:3
By J. L. Tucker

Here is a question before which the entire universe remains silent. Neither man nor angel nor devil can produce a suitable reply. There is a way of escape from a guilty conscience; there is escape from condemnation; there is escape from the bondage of sin; there is escape from death. God has provided that way in Jesus Christ. But there is no escape if we neglect this great salvation.

The text calls our attention to the fact that this one way of escape is a “great salvation.” Let us note why.

It is great because it was provided by our heavenly Father. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” John 3:16.

It is great because of its fullness, its all inclusive provisions. “Whosoever will,” may come. Revelation 22:17. “…whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

This salvation is great in the price that it cost. Man was not redeemed with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The cost was so great that Paul calls it

an “unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15. Not until we gaze upon the glories of heaven and feel the thrill of celestial associations can we begin to know the greatness of His condescension in coming to earth—to its pollution, filth, degradation. Only divine love would pay such a price.

It is a great salvation in what it accomplishes. It restores all that was lost by sin. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. The salvation was sufficient to redeem everything. Sin took from man his robe of glory, his home in Paradise, his dominion, his right to the tree of life, and the privilege of communing face to face with God. Sin made man a captive. Sin brought death. How great must be that salvation which redeems all that was lost. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord! “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us…” 1 John 3:1.

This great salvation changes the chief of sinners into the greatest of saints. It takes the filthy rags of depraved humanity and replaces them with the righteousness of Christ. Indeed, so great is this salvation that it can free every bond slave of sin, every captive of the devil. It can break the chains of every filthy habit. Witness its delivering, transforming power in the changed lives of Paul, the fanatical persecutor, and Mary, the backslider. See how it changed self-centered, boastful Peter into a trusting saint. Yes, this God-planned salvation is so great that it can do as 18th century preacher George Whitefield said: “Save the devil’s castaways.”

The Tragedy of Tragedies

There is one word in our text that tells us why millions will not escape eternal loss, regardless of the divine provision for them. It is the word “neglect.” Surely, no reasonable, sensible person deliberately plans to be lost. But how easy it is to hesitate, to linger, as did Lot in Sodom, to put off to some more convenient season, to “neglect so great salvation.”

The devil’s most successful argument is not that there is no heaven to gain, but it is, “Never mind now; some other time you can give the matter of your personal salvation serious consideration and make the needed preparation.” The devil’s argument and counsel is always, “Do it tomorrow or some other day.”

You don’t have to defy and blaspheme God to be finally lost; merely neglect His present provision for salvation. Neglect is the tragedy of all tragedies, for it reveals a base ingratitude and thanklessness. So much has been done for us; such possibilities have been opened to us. Oh, how can man be so ungrateful?

Neglect reveals an utter recklessness in regard to God’s love and all His plans for man’s deliverance and eternal happiness. If you were on a ship when it began to sink, you would not have to shoot yourself in order to die. All you would have to do is to neglect to use the life jacket provided for such an emergency.

This great salvation will not always be offered. The door will not always remain open. The invitation, “Whosoever will, may come,” will not always be extended. Steadily, silently but surely, approaches that hour when the divine fiat will go forth: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11. 

Then the case of every soul will have been settled. There will be no altering of the final decision: Mercy’s door will then have closed. The opportunity to accept the great salvation will have passed. How valuable then will be the priceless treasures of heaven! When it cannot be found, men and women will search every corner of the earth for the Word of God. Amos 8:12. The tragedy of their having neglected so great salvation will force from their hearts and lips the awful lament, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20.

A lawyer was under deep conviction of sin. He was in great mental distress, and friends urged him to confess and forsake his sins and seek pardon. But an election was approaching in which he was a prominent candidate. To all their entreaties, he replied, “I know I have a more important election to secure; so, when this political canvass is over, I will yield and seek salvation.”

He was warned that such a course was grieving the Holy Spirit, but he refused to turn from his decision. When the votes were counted, it was found that he was defeated. Under the influence of shame and remorse he began to drink. Then he plunged deeper into sin and finally became an outcast from society.

Now is the time!

Today, we are to make our “calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10. Seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33. There is nothing more dangerous than to trifle with the Holy Spirit, to turn a deaf ear to His counsel and entreaties. The Holy Spirit will not plead forever. “My spirit shall not always strive with man…” Genesis 6:3.

Jesus can save you from all your past sins and follies. He can keep you in the present and make you victorious tomorrow. His salvation is eternal. Neglect it no longer. Now can be your day of salvation!

* Pastor J. L. Tucker (1895-1989) founded “The Quiet Hour” radio broadcast in 1937. Adapted from God’s Great Questions to Man. Used by permission, The Quiet Hour Ministry, Redlands, CA.