CCBC

Wilful neglect

The Wednesday evening homegroup grappled with the first 4 verses of Hebrews 2 last week, having just started a new series going through this letter.  One of the unique features of Hebrews is the inclusion of six very serious warning passages, the first of which declares in chapter 2 verse 3 “how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?”  This warning is very much linked with the danger of ‘drifting away’ outlined in verse 1.

Whilst this warning has often been used in evangelistic settings, it is actually addressed to Christians (refer to Hebrews 3v1).  How might we ignore salvation and then drift away?  Sadly there are many possibilities – we may be resting in the fact that our sins are forgiven but making little or no effort to serve God; we may be neglecting meeting together (Hebrews 10v25), prayer, Bible reading etc; we may have become discouraged or disappointed by various setbacks; we may have allowed various idols into our lives; we may even be drifting because we think “it could never happen to me”.

Are you or I drifting intellectually (“I used to believe that”), morally (“I used to think those things were wrong”), from spiritual disciplines (“I can’t find time for such things anymore”)?

May we all really heed such warnings and beware of such spiritual drifting.  Surely our great motivation is our desire to follow in the footsteps of our glorious and gracious Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom Hebrews wonderfully portrays.  “Therefore …. let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith …. Consider Him …. so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12v1-3).

Peace and Grace

Paul