Hebrews 2:1-4
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?"
This passage carries a dual warning, first, by serving notice to those who have heard of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, calling us to be careful not to neglect by disobedience the salvation which God offers to the entire world. With the Spirit's confirmation of the divinity of Jesus Christ, there will be no excuse when we stand before the King of Kings in judgment.
The second warning is similar to the first, but given to those who have already believed. With most of the book written to the church, I think this is the primary theme of this portion of Hebrews. As individual believers, and as local bodies of Christ, we too need to be careful not to neglect the message, falling away in disobedience, for our Lord is sure to punish us when found in sin.
I'm afraid we need to pay more attention to this warning, for God tells us to give it "more earnest heed". We need to make it our business to seek the witness of the Spirit to know when we are drifting away from a close relationship with Jesus Christ so that we can take action to return.
When one thinks of drifting away, we visualize a boat which is no longer anchored or tethered to the pier. As the tides go in and out, or the winds blow, the boat slips away, little by little. Overtime, it floats as far as if a motor had been cranked and the driven away. As believers, most of us don't intentionally drift away from Christ, but when we neglect our relationship with him through the Spirit, we find ourselves further and further away.
Without a doubt, those familiar spiritual disciples help out here, anchoring us to Christ. These include making regular worship a priority, seeking the Spirit's voice in the written word, and an abiding connection to God in prayer. Another tool we need to cultivate in our lives is to have close friendships with other believers, those who would feel comfortable in steering us back to the Lord when we drift away.
In my own life, I testify that the Spirit's touch bears witness in my soul, telling me when things are not as they should be. He does this for every believer creating a restlessness in our hearts, urging us to come back to the Lord. And the good thing is this: The Lord always welcomes back those who are his own, and the Spirit is sure to not leave us alone, pursuing us until we heed the call.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I thank you for bearing witness of the relationship you seek with those who are your own. May I always know this witness and respond to your call to return. Amen.
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