"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip. 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 him"

—Hebrews 2:1-3

In my opinion, the message of salvation has been neglected, as well as rejected, in churches across the country. It has become inferior to the message of prosperity and increase.

The message of salvation is being preached from pulpits across the country nowadays as much as it should be, and for that reason it becomes very difficult for many to escape problems that manifest due to spiritual neglect.

How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him? For the sake of understanding, when salvation is not neglected, it allows you to escape what many have fallen victim to.

The Apostle Paul says in Chapter 10 verse 1, "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that that they might be saved. The Israelites were zealous but they were stubborn and they were ignorant of righteousness."

That is a statement that comes from the heart of a real pastor that is concerned about the souls of the people. He knows that sooner or later they will end up in a back-slidden state or become candidates for a fail marriage, a broken heart or — worse than anything — a candidate for hell.

From another perspective, it’s a statement that proceeds from the mouth of a mother or a grandmother that knows what awaits a disobedient child. She’s seen it happen before and all she wants is for her child to leave the streets, leave the gang, leave that person alone that she knows eventually will be the cause of her child demise.

Paul’s desire for Israel is that they be saved. One of the main causes of the diminishing of faith is deception and unbelief.

In Romans chapter 9 verse 17, Paul mentions how only a remnant is going to be save. Many people have abandoned the faith and it is a sign of the times that the Bible speaks to in 2 Thessalonians 2:2: "for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first …"

After the falling away, what will remain is the remnant, the ones that are left and refuses to give up on the God of the Bible. I don’t know about you, but I want to be part of the remnant.

From my studies, God always blesses the remnant.

As people of God, let’s continue to fight the good fight of faith. Let’s not give in to what seems to be popular but rather remain faithful to what will bring glory to the Father.

It’s in him that we live, move and have our being.

Murray is the pastor of Fellowship of Love Worship Center COGIC and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.