Tag Neglect

Lest we DRIFT away, Heb 2:1-3

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Avoiding Spiritual DRIFT

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb 2:1-3a ASV)

In the swiftly changing currents of life, it is all too easy to drift away from the secure anchor of hope, “which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil” (Heb 6:19).

Let us explore five guiding principles from the book of Hebrews that can help us avoid spiritual drift and ensure our steadfastness in the faith.

DILIGENCE.

The first one is found in Hebrews 6:11, “And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end.”

Think of diligence as the steady hand guiding the helm of a ship through treacherous waters. It is not enough to start well; we must persist, with our eyes fixed on the horizon of God’s promises.

Hebrews 4:11 exhorts us, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” The necessity of constant effort to avoid spiritual shipwreck is a recurring theme (Hebrews 10:22; 12:1). Are we laboring earnestly, or merely drifting along?

READ & STUDY.

Reading and studying the Bible is the second way we will be able to remain on course, avoiding drift. The writer reminds us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Heb 4:12). To avoid drift we must become skilled in the word. Hebrews 5:12-6:8 reveals the peril of spiritual immaturity and the dire consequences of neglecting the deeper teachings of Christ. Is our Bible a well-worn map or an unused artifact?

IMITATE THE FAITHFUL.

Another aid in avoiding drift is imitation which calls us to follow the examples of those who have walked the path of faith before us. Hebrews 6:12 instructs us to be “followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We should emulate the faithful who have demonstrated unwavering trust in God. Consider the heroes of faith outlined in Hebrews 11. Their lives serve as beacons, illuminating the way for us to follow. By imitating their faith and perseverance, we reinforce our commitment to Christ. Whose shipping lane are we following today? (1Cor 11:1; 3John 11)

FEAR GOD.

A healthy reverence for God is the fourth in our efforts to maintain our spiritual course. Hebrews 4:1 warns, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Godly fear keeps us vigilant. It reminds us of the gravity of our salvation and the importance of living in a manner worthy of our calling. Does our reverence for God inspire vigilance or apathy?

TAKE HEED.

Finally, we ought to take heed. Taking heed requires self-awareness and caution. Hebrews 3:12 cautions, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” The vigilance of the watchman who stands in the crow’s nest of the ship is akin to the spiritual alertness we must maintain to remain on course. By taking heed, we guard against the drift caused by doubt and sin. Are we watchful or wandering?

Let us heed the wisdom of Hebrews and apply these principles diligently. Through our earnest efforts we anchor our souls firmly in Christ, avoiding the perilous drift that leads away from so great a salvation.

Agape,

Spencer

Ye do ERR?

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Did you know that it’s possible for folks to make a false denomination because of a misunderstanding of the Bible?

Matt 22:23-33 The Sadducees made a Jewish denomination because they didn’t take notice of the tense of a verb.

Jesus said to them, “Ye do Err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.” (Matt 22:29)

“Moreover he said, I AM the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exo 3:6)

Jesus is pointing out that God said “I AM,” not “I WAS.”

The Sadducees entire system of belief about salvation was error.

Acts 23:7 “And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”

Are you making an error in your faith not knowing the scriptures?

How would we know?

Some have…

Shipwrecked their faith: 1Tim 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Neglected Salvation: Heb 2:3 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;.

Fallen from Grace: Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Departed from God: Heb 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

Drawn back to perdition: Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

>Spencer, Evangelist for the church of Christ at Franklin & Juniper St.

3 Reasons Why to Share the Gospel

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“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

[Mark 16:15]

Last week we looked at 3 WAYS to share the gospel.

They are:

PRIVATELY

PERSONALLY

PUBLICLY

This week we look at 3 reasons WHY we need to evangelize to the lost. These are reasons beyond the fact that it’s commanded by God. That is enough to settle the matter. That being said, we take time to examine the importance of evangelism.

3 Reasons why…

The first reason is the fact that people are in a LOST condition, being separated from God. Paul asked the Romans,

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” [Romans 10:14]

We need to SEEK the FAITHLESS. People don’t like it when we state that someone is or may be lost, but this is a bible word given us by Christ Himself.

“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [Luke 19:10]

Remember, someone told you about the gospel. I bet you can remember who it was and what you felt when your eyes were opened to the truth.

The second reason we need to preach is that some who had obeyed the gospel have LET GO of the faith and are fallen from Grace. [Gal 5:4]. The reasons for backsliding are varied, but all could be described as NEGLECT of their salvation.

“…how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…” [Hebrews 2:1-3]

In these instances, we must go out to STAND up the LAX. The Hebrew writer encourages this very activity.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” [Heb 10:24-25]

The third reason is to STRENGTHEN the LOYAL. This world is tough and unfair. The faithful need encouragement to keep on sharing the gospel despite the fact that the gospel will fall on deaf ears in the majority of cases [cr. Mat 7:13-14; Luke 13:23-24].

Those of us who actively share the gospel are constantly beat down by the LOST world. This mostly by denominational BELIEVERS. You would be amazed and surprised to hear what those, who claim they love Jesus, are willing to say and do.It should be no surprise, the bible says, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” [1 John 3:13; cr. Jno. 15:18]

It’s for this reason we need to STRENGTHEN the LOYAL. Paul, while in bondage in a Roman prison, wrote about how the faithful were encouraged by the preaching of the gospel.

“And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” [Philippians 1:14]

Our Lord said, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” [Luke 10:2]

Now that’s a good prayer.

—Spencer