Pay Attention to this Great Gift

 

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:1–4 ESV).

 

Perhaps the most interesting feature of our reading today is its use of nautical terms. The idea given here is that of a boat that has slowly drifted out to sea. A boat that someone failed to tie to the dock, and consequently has been pulled out to sea by the undercurrent or the tide. Quickly I must say the writer is not referencing the loss of the boat (salvation); rather he is referring to the benefits of the salvation we have been given.

 

We’ve either seen it or experienced it ourselves. We grow out of, or slowly moves away from, interests, habits, and hobbies in our lives over time. An eight-year-old who loves playing with building blocks or dolls will eventually trade in their stuffed giraffes for make-up or a game console by the time they are twelve. The star high-school athlete will eventually trade their sports ambitions in for a business endeavor. People change, their interests change, they drift in and out of various likes, dislikes, and pastimes. What once was, may no longer be our primary focus. This is not necessarily bad in relation to pastimes and trivial matters.

 

However, in relation to the Gospel and the Christian faith, it can be devastating. The truth is, every Christian has or will experience spiritual drift at some point in their Christian lives. Interestingly, the believers to whom the letter of Hebrews is addressed apparently were at risk of the very same danger. For them, this message was not only timely but necessary to protect them from a terrible fate.

 

Remember the historical context of the letter. The audience of the writer was under immense persecution from the Roman government, as the letter was likely written during the reign of Emperor Nero. Due to this persecution, these believers were tempted not only to drift away from the Gospel and all that they had been taught, but were tempted to abandon their faith and lose their hope.

 

It was a warning against doubt. Listen to James, the brother of Jesus in his letter:

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8 ESV).

 

It is not as if Jesus has not proven His trustworthiness. If we should learn anything from our recent celebration of the resurrection, it must be that Jesus keeps His word. Don’t be careless about your faith. Grow it! Nurture it! Anchor it in the history of the Lord in your life!