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
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