Lest We Drift

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?
-Hebrews 2:1-3

Pretty powerful exhortation, eh? We are to pay "much closer attention" to the wonderful salvation found in the gospel of Jesus Christ - the Son of God who died to atone for sinners so that they would be considered righteous in God's sight. It is a "great salvation" because Christ, the "radiance of the glory of God," "the exact imprint of his nature," who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" made purification for the sins of sinners such as me! (Hebrews 1:3).

Thus, the gospel is not to be a one-time message to be forgotten after conversion, but it is to flavor every aspect of our lives. As Jerry Bridges has said, we are to preach the gospel to ourselves everyday, continually facing up to our own sin, confessing and repenting of it, and looking only to Christ and claiming his blood and righteousness only.

The author of Hebrews seems to be writing directly to me in warning us to not neglect the transforming power of the gospel. It must be at the center of everything. It must be clung to above all other idols or images in our lives. The sermon this past week on the second commandment included an exhortation to not have anything less or else than God in our hearts, minds, and lives.

But here I am, just a few days later, drifting and neglecting this already. I've again elevated myself above God; I've again been unfaithful to him; the "screensaver" of my mind has again turned away from his Word and his Truth and his Gospel. How much do I need to ask God for his grace and strength to pay much closer attention to the gospel and to not neglect the great message of Christ.

It reminds me of a sincere, convicting song: "Jealous Kind" by Jars of Clay:

I built another temple to a stranger,
I gave away my heart to the rushing wind.
I set my course to run right into danger,
Sought the company of fools instead of friends.

You know I've been unfaithful
With lovers in lines
While you're turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Weighs In

And now Dietrich Bonhoeffer weighs in, not only on the Ten Commandments (see previous posts) but on prompt obedience to Jesus Christ. He is commenting on this passage:

Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:61-62)

Bonhoeffer:

The problem with this third would-be disciple is that at the very moment he expresses his willingness to follow, he ceases to want to follow at all. By making his offer on his own terms, he alters the whole position, for discipleship can tolerate no conditions which might come between Jesus and our obedience to him.

Furthermore:

Hence the third disciple finds himself at loggerheads not only with Jesus, but also with himself. His desires conflict not only with what Jesus wants, but also with what he wants himself.

How true!

This is from The Cost of Discipleship, a classic book written by this Christian martyr who lived during Nazi Germany. Since being in Reformed circles, I don't hear much about Bonhoeffer. Perhaps his theology is too mystical, or perhaps too neo-orthodox? But as I review my underlinings in my decades-old copy of this book, I find Bonhoeffer worth revisiting.

Two pithy sentences sum up the section of the book I've quoted from:

Discipleship is not an offer man makes to Christ.

And,

Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.

Ten Reflections of God's Image

This past week we began a series on the Ten Commandments. Understanding the Ten Commandment (or "Ten Words") is enriching, because there is more here than meets the eye - not surprising given the pervasive influence of these commands for thousands of years.

Here's what Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, has to say about the connection between God's Law and human nature.

The law of God is an expression of His actual nature. When God says, "Don't lie" or "bear false witness," he says that because He doesn't lie; because He is a God of integrity; because He is a God of truth and He is utterly consistent.

But, since you and I are made in His image, you know what that means: the Law of God therefore reflects our nature.

We were made in His image and if the Law expresses His nature, it actually expresses what we need to be to be fully who we are. To violate the Law of God violates you.

If your doctor says, "Don't eat x, y, and z" -- if you eat x, y, and z, no one is going to give you a fine, no one is going to give you a ticket, no one is going to come and put you in jail. They won't have to. Because the consequences are natural. If you violate your doctor's order you are violating your own nature and you are unraveling your own fabric. And God is saying that here.

Don't think of the Law of God as arbitrary decrees. The Law of God outlines who you are. To violate the law of God sets up strains in the fabric of reality that only lead to breakdown.

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NOTE: This is from a sermon available at www.redeemer.com entitled "God's Law" from the series "Deuteronomy: Doing Justice, Preaching Grace." I'd encourage you to download this sermon and listen to it frequently.