For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will (Hebrews 2:1-4, CSB).

Have you ever heard the the old saying, “up the river (or creek) without a paddle.” If you don’t have a paddle in your boat, you flow whatever direction the river current takes you. The boat drifts with the current.

But, a paddle lets you steer the boat; it lets you set a course and sail in a direction. It keeps you from drifting.

These verses at the beginning of Chapter 2 answer the question posed at the end of chapter 1. Speaking of angels the Hebrew writer asked, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?” (vs. 1:14).

The Hebrew writer contends that if angels dispatched God’s law with authority in the Old Testament, then how much more should we heed the message delivered by the Son of God Who is God Himself and, of course, superior to angels?

So, the message delivered by angels in the Old Testament and by the Son of God in the New Testament is the salvation of God. God wants to redeem humanity and make them His people for eternity. That’s why the Hebrew writer calls it a “great salvation” (vs. 3).

But, if we don’t take heed to this message of salvation, then we will drift away from the salvation that the Son delivered to human beings on earth. Then, the Hebrews writer goes on to identify the cause of drifting: neglecting our salvation.

When we neglect this great salvation, we become complacent. Then, we can drift away from receiving this great salvation and drift away from applying it to our lives even after receiving it.

So, let’s put these verses in the context of our “up the creek without a paddle” proposition. In this analogy the boat represents your life in this world and the paddle represents the great salvation of God.

Having a paddle–and using it–enables you to steer the boat in the direction of eternal life. When you don’t have a paddle, your life will go with the flow of the currents and undertows of this world–drifting without eternal purpose.

Because what you do with your life in this world is preparing you for the world to come.

You can’t just drift into heaven. You gotta go there on purpose and with purpose!

For more on spiritual drifting, read my previous post on these verses [by clicking here].

For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20, CSB)