“ 1For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
2For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,
3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, “ Hebrews 2:1-3
Sometimes, I feel as if we don’t take obedience as serious as we should. As Zeph mentioned today, we make compromises all the time. This has really convicted me of how far we take measures to make Christianity “easy”. The greater the privilege, the greater the punishment for disobedience (Luke 12:47). Take me for example, I have compromised many times the length of my devotionals for sleep, excusing myself by saying that I’ll do it tomorrow after school.
Moreover, we are to be set apart of this world for we have a heavenly calling- one not of this world. We are supposed to be salt and light to the world. We are to be able to discern truth and wrong and to act upon our knowledge-not to be silent and passive.
“I know that in our day rebel means sinner, but everyone is sinning so it is no longer rebellious to sin… If you really want to be a rebel read your bible, because no one is doing that.... that's rebellion that's the only rebellion left.”- Rebel intro by Lecrae
Furthermore Hebrews 3 expands upon the dangers of unbelief. The failure of the Israelites was due to unbelief. A lack of faith in God. They harden their hearts and complained. They were not thankful. Like them, I really have not noticed all the blessings I have, such as the luxuries of having paper, typing, walking, living, water, etc.
“Therefore, let us fear if , while a promise remains of entering His rest, any of you may seem to have come short of it”- Hebrews 4:1.
“For we who have believed enter that rest”-Hebrews 4:3a
Dean has preached a sermon on having spiritual checkups a long time ago that has stuck in my mind. We aught to examine ourselves to see if we have the faith in him, if we truly love our God for who he is. NOT for what he can do for us. “We do want, and want very much, to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably , of course, as a means to their own advancement, but , failing that, as a means to anything.”-The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
However, God has given us grace and forgiveness if we turn to him and honesty give ourselves to him-to die to ourselves and to be humble, letting God rule and control us. For “The whole self consciousness of the Christian is to be imbued and characterized by the spirit that animated the death of Christ. He has ever to present himself to God as one who has died in Christ, and in Christ is alive from the dead, bearing about in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus. His life ever bears the two-fold mark: its roots striking in true humility deep into the grave of Jesus, the death to sin and self; its head lifted up in resurrection power to the heaven where Jesus is.”- Humility by Andrew Murray
Moreover, we have a faithful High Priest who understands us and knows our weakness; he has humbled himself and can sympathize with our weakness;” he has been tempted in all things as we ar, yet without sin”- Hebrews 4:15
He is compassionate and knows us. He atones for our sins and is totally involved as a man with needs of others. (Hebrews 5) Jesus has made possible our communication with God, and he sustains and blesses those who serve the kingdom of righteousness and peace. Thanks be to him.
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
