Pay Careful Attention
Like other people, there’s a chance you have entertained thoughts about returning to an easier, more comfortable way of life—one that pushes God aside. When the pressure is on, even Christians can become disillusioned with following Jesus. The book of Hebrews is written to warn believers not to drift away from Jesus. The possibility is real. The consequences are enormous. It would be foolish to ignore this first of five warnings in Hebrews: “Pay careful attention.”
Can you remember a time when you were under pressure, tired and discouraged, and you wanted to loosen your grip on Jesus and pursue something easier? What was that experience like?
For centuries the book of Hebrews has been controversial. Some say the warnings are to Christians who could lose their salvation. Others say that the warnings are to false professors (professed but not genuine Christians). Maybe both options are inadequate conclusions. How would you describe the third possibility: Christians who are not in danger of losing their salvation but in danger of losing reward?
Read Hebrews 2:1-4. To what are the readers to pay more careful attention (see all of chapter 1)? What are these believers in danger of drifting away from?
The trend continues in our day. Some Christians are deconstructing their faith. What does deconstruction or apostasy mean? How far can a Christian walk away from Jesus? What are the consequences of a Christian’s departure from Christ (Back it up with Scripture by checking out 1 Timothy 1:19, 4:1, 2 Timothy 2:18, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)?
What are you doing in your daily routine to pay more careful attention to Jesus?
Further Reading
Doubting Doubt
Doubt is the presence of uncertainty. This uncertainty can present itself at anytime, for both believers and skeptics alike. The aim for both is to consider their own positions of doubt and consider these beliefs in view of a risen Jesus. Whether a believer or a...
When Jesus Restores…
Receiving forgiveness and experiencing restoration can become pivotal moments that shape our character. Peter received a course correction for life as Jesus gently but powerfully restored their relationship and Peter’s role. Together, we can grow deeper into Jesus’...
Overcoming Failure
Failing is a common but disappointing life experience that always seems to catch us by surprise. When our failures are placed into the hand of Jesus, he can use even our shortcomings to fuel our growth. Let’s discover the part failure played in Peter’s life and how we...
Forgiveness
As God has forgiven us, we are to forgive each other. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus is teaching His disciples, and us by extension, that forgiveness should be in like proportion to the amount forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he...
Peter’s Confession and Jesus’ Church
Jesus accomplishes his mission through his Church, but our part in a local church can be challenging as well as rewarding. In Matthew 16, we discover part of the foundation for God’s work through his Church and our part in it. How might God be calling you to be part...