"The Drifting Series: The Antidote for Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 " Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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;"

     Over the last few days, we have looked at the danger of spiritually drifting, but let us consider those in Scripture who, rather than giving in, were continually "fighting the good fight" even amid hardship:

Daniel, from the beginning, "purposed in his heart" (Daniel 1:8) that he would not succumb to the culture or to the desires of the flesh but, instead, chose to be faithful to GOD. Scripture never records Daniel drifting away from a proper fellowship with the LORD; on the contrary, he continually made his relationship with GOD the priority of his life even when it meant he would face dire consequences for his faithfulness (Daniel 6:7-10).

Paul endured more trials in his ministry than we will ever suffer. Yet, when he came to the end of his life, he declared that he was ready to meet his SAVIOR because CHRIST was everything to him (2nd.Timothy 4:6-8).

JESUS declared, "I do always those things that please [the FATHER]" (John 8:29 pictured above).

     If you are currently drifting, STOP !  But if you are enjoying close fellowship with CHRIST right now and spiritual things are a priority in your life, then do not start to wander away. It is so easy to do, and we see it all around in the church today. This is why the New Testament writers use the language of labor, toil, warfare, and perseverance when referring to the Christian life. Slacking off never leads anywhere good ! The Bible clearly teaches that it is possible for believers to "be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming" (1st.John 2:28 pictured above). Our purpose in life is more than just "I'm saved and going to Heaven"; it is about living for GOD right now. The choice whether to drift or faithfully strive to put the things of GOD first is a continual decision - which do you choose ? MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Drifting Series: Biblical Examples of Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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;"

     GOD's WORD provides us with many examples of those who were at one time focused on HIM, but who fell away from proper fellowship with their LORD. Lot decided to take the land that looked good to him, even though it was not a spiritually beneficial choice. As a result, he became comfortable with the world to the point of spiritual ruin (2nd.Peter 2:6-8 pictured above). Elijah was one of Israel's most notable and important prophets of GOD, yet he was guilty of falling into despondency when he got his focus off GOD and onto himself (1st.Kings 19:9-18). David is notorious for the consequences of his spiritual carelessness - he committed adultery and even murder when he should have been waging war against the enemies of Israel (2nd.Samuel 11:1-5,14-15). Solomon, although the wisest man who ever lived, was foolish enough to drift away from the LORD when he chose to "go with the flow" of the surrounding nations and take wives and concubines in an effort to forge political alliances with the enemies of Israel (1st.Kings 11:1-10). The entire Old Testament records the Israelites' unfaithfulness to their GDO as they simply floated along with the world around them rather than "fighting the good fight of faith." They intermingled with the pagan culture and soon found themselves embracing it (Isaiah 1:4 pictured below). In Jeremiah 3, GOD continually describes Israel and Judah as a backsliding nation that drifted away from the LORD despite all HE had done for them.

     Drifting always starts with a focus on self, which leads to inactivity and then to a moving away from GOD. May we labor in our faith and relationship with GOD rather than choosing to take the easy path of succumbing to our flesh and doing nothing. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Drifting Series: The Mechanics of Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 " Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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;"

     How, exactly, do we slip away from fellowship with GOD and from a fruitful Christian life ? How does one spiritually drift ? To drift is so easy because all we have to do is nothing as far as our spiritual growth and priorities are concerned. The picture here in today's text is of a boat without and anchor, moving about with the flow of the water. If you were to put a boat out into the middle of the ocean or a lake and fail to anchor it or choose not to propel it forward or backward, it would simply sail along with the current or tide, without any effort at all. In the Christian life, we fall away from the LORD when we focus on self and fulfill the desire of our own flesh and "take is easy" with regard to spiritual things. In other words, failing "to give the more earnest heed" (v.1) will always result in drifting as we choose to simply "go with the flow" of the world or our own whims and desires. It takes no exertion at all to drift. We just let ourselves do what we want to do rather than what we know is right.

     Dear Friend, it is probably safe to say that, sadly, the majority of those who profess to know JESUS CHRIST today are drifting. They are not earnestly hearing and heeding the WORD of GOD (v.1), and, therefore, they are neglecting the "so great salvation" that the SAVIOR has graciously provided them. They are failing to truly fellowship with the LORD and bear spiritual fruit, and that is exactly the opposite of what HE desires of HIS own (John 15:14-16 pictured above). Do not carelessly drift in the Christian life ! Earnestly make much of the truth and of your relationship and communion with GOD. Spiritual growth takes a determined, intentional effort, but it will be well worth it in the end (1st.Corinthians 3:14 pictured above). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Drifting Series: The Consequences of Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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;"

     To drift away from the wonderful grace of GOD that HE has afforded us through HIS finished work on the cross is a serious offense. When we "neglect so great salvation" (v.3 pictured above), we become focused and enamored with ourselves or the things of this life rather than with the LORD and our spiritual growth in the truth of HIS WORD. The author of Hebrews reminds us that should we fail to remain focused on the person, WORD, and will of JESUS CHRIST, then we will inevitably turn from HIM. Notice the words he uses: "Lest at any time." The phrase "we should let them slip" could also be rendered "we should drift away." The Greek construction here is very important. The word "we" is the object, not "things." We can understand it this way: "Lest we should slip away." In other words, it is not the truth that can slip away - it is us ! Sadly, believers can (and often do) stray from where GOD would have them to be. 

     The author of Hebrews is saying in essence, "Don't go back on the steps you have taken !" The crux of these three verses is this: Pay attention now more than ever to the truth given by GOD because a failure to do so is to spiritually drift away - to "neglect so great salvation" (v.3a pictured above). This is a very serious charge ! Are you, right now, focused upon making the things of the LORD, including HIS church, priorities in your life ? If not, then you are drifting away and neglecting the very salvation that GOD has so graciously provided for you. Beware of allowing this to happen in your life. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Drifting Series: Drift from What ?"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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;"

     Yesterday we considered the exhortation to beware of the danger of spiritual drifting. This is a serious problem among professing Christians, so the author of Hebrews makes it clear that prioritizing GOD's truth and complying with it require intense attention and dedication. Notice the language that he uses: "give the more earnest heed" (v.1). The phrase "give. . .heed" in this text means "to attach oneself to; to adhere to"; it involves continual commitment to a cause or conviction. In other words, be spiritually alert and extremely sensitive to the subject ! And what is the subject ? It is truth - the WORD of GOD - the body of revealed doctrine given by JESUS.

     "The things which we have heard" are the truths revealed and spoken by JESUS CHRIST that we now have in HIS WORD. In the past, communication from the LORD often came through messengers of GOD, or "angels" (v.2). Everything GOD declared via angels or by HIS prophets was steadfast and sure and happened just as HE said. If those declarations were trustworthy, then how much more certain are the very WORDs we have from CHRIST HIMSELF (v.3) ! JESUS told HIS disciples that after HIS ascension HE would send the HOLY SPIRIT to guide them into all truth and they, in turn, would perfectly pen those WORDs to mankind, which is what we have in the Bible today (John 16:12-14). Verse three describes these "things which we have heard" as "so great salvation." Our "great salvation" is something we at times take for granted or even abuse when we drift away from the truth and neglect to grow spiritually (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). And, we will surely fail to mature if we forsake GOD's WORD and HIS church (Hebrews 10:23-25 pictured above). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Drifting Series: The Danger of Drifting"

 

Hebrews 2:1-3 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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;"

     The letter to the Hebrew Christians could not be a more perfect place to consider the dangers of spiritually drifting, for it was written to those who not only were beginning to abandon living a life empowered by GOD's grace but, even more importantly, they were straying from their fellowship with JESUS CHRIST. So, the author of Hebrews commences in just the fifteenth verse of his epistle to sound an important warning concerning the believer's natural tendency to drift. Today, we need to hear and heed this same admonition. Because we are still in the flesh, we all have an inclination to wander away from a proper relationship with our SAVIOR, and yet the very language used by the writer of Hebrews reveals that we have a moral imperative both to avoid this terrible tendency and to make much of GOD's truth and adhere to it.

     Notice the word "therefore" in verse one of our text - the author is about to say something that is the result of what he had just previously stated in chapter one, namely, the person and superiority of JESUS CHRIST, particularly HIS special revelation to mankind (Hebrews 1:1-2 pictured above). As we see in today's reading, this revelation of CHRIST ("the things which we have heard") is the basis of not only our salvation but also our Christian life. Therefore, "we ought to give the more earnest heed" to the WORD of GOD lest we drift. The author of Hebrews includes himself in this exhortation ("we"). Nobody is excluded or immune from drifting. The word "ought" (Hebrews 2:1 pictured above) is not denoting a suggestion but rather a command to obedience. The effort we must put forth in living out the Christian life is not optional based upon our feelings or emotions - it is a decree from the LORD. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The SECOND COMING"

 

Where did everybody go ? What is happening ?

Why am I left here ? Is there any hope ?

These questions are some you might be asking if you

miss the first phase of the Second Coming of 

JESUS CHRIST to the Earth, called the Rapture !

WHAT IS THE RAPTURE ?

This is when JESUS CHRIST comes for HIS saints, those who have by faith completely trusted the eternity of their souls to HIS saving power with nothing else added. "For the LORD HIMSELF shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD: and the dead in CHRIST shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD." (1st.Thessalonians 4:16-17).

WILL YOU BE LEFT BEHIND ?

Those left behind will cry out for help and comfort. Questions will arise in every heart. Where did the "Christians" go ? One man, Satan's soul-incarnate, the antichrist, will have all the answers. "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause GOD shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2nd.Thessalonians 2:9-12).

THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Peace will reign for 3 1/2 years. Then, in this time called the Great Tribulation in Revelation 7:14, all of GOD's judgment will be meted out on this world as Satan's emissaries, the beast, the antichrist, and the false prophet wreak havoc on mankind.

Revelation 16 records seven great judgments poured out on a GOD-forsaking world and its Satanic leaders ! Petrifying painful sores, seas of dead men's blood, rivers filled with blood, and the stench of dying aquatic life will plague man and beast. The sun will scorch the flesh of blasphemous man, and then disappear into the blackness of full darkness, as men gnaw their tongues in pain. The Euphrates River is dried up, and GOD sends great earthquakes, tremendous thundering's and lightnings, and huge (nearly 100 lbs. a piece) hail stones that pound the remnant of Earth's inhabitants. "It is done," thunders from Heaven as GOD's wrath is satisfied.

THE SECOND COMING

Then the second phase of CHRIST's Second Coming transpires ! ". . .the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST with all HIS saints." (1st.Thessalonians 3:13b). HE comes and defeats the armies of the antichrist. The LORD JESUS will then reign for 1000 years on the throne of David in Jerusalem. You say, "I just cannot believe it, I have so many questions." Let's allow GOD's WORD to answer them for you. . . .

When will the Rapture take place ? SOON !

". . .for in such an hour as ye think not the SON of MAN cometh." (Matthew 24:44b). 

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but MY FATHER only." (Matthew 24:36).

Will it affect me ? YES !

"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." (Matthew 24:40).

If you miss the Rapture, you will be left behind to go through the Great Tribulation. Then as a non-believer, you will end up in Hell for all eternity.

How can it be true ? JESUS SAID SO !

". . .I will come again, and receive you unto MYSELF; that where I AM, there ye may be also." (John 14:3b). JESUS CHRIST would not lie. HE promised to come again, and HE will for those who are ready - the truly born again/saved.

What should I do ? REPENT (Turn to GOD), BELIEVE, BE SAVED !

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out," (Acts 3:19a).

". . .Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31b).

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-10,13).

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: NOT of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Our time on Earth is so very short. GOD said, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Receive JESUS as your personal SAVIOR today !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation