VIGILANT

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

Hebrews 2:1

The writer of Hebrews delivered – in verse one of chapter two – his first of five warnings to all believers – “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” In other words, we must be vigilant!

The Word vigilant means “keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.”

Synonyms: watchful, on the lookout, observant, with eyes like a hawk, attentive, paying attention, alert, on one’s toes

WHAT have your heard lately from your friends, your family…co-workers, boss, politicians, etc? There is so much said about sports, weather, disputes, crime, politics, and so many troubles in this world. But what we hear most is opinions. For every topic to discuss there is infinitely more opinions than topics. The more important question is that have you heard from the Lord from the scriptures and through the “crosses” in our lives that He calls us to carry (Luke 14:27)?

The Bible describes our life as disciples of Jesus as a spiritual war where the goal of our enemies is to get us to forget God’s Opinions, His Promises, and His Commands. Therefore we either hear what the Word of God says and His view on a given topic or we hear Satan’s view.

SATAN’S best weapon is to reiterate what God and His word says with the slightest little shift or twist or adjustment that appeals to what feels better in our human nature.

THIS calls for us to be more careful to what we hear from God, His Word, an even our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some obvious conclusions from the command to be careful about what we’ve heard is to be careful that we don’t let anyone or anything cause us to not believe the elementary teaching of Christ, mentioned later in Chapter 6 of Hebrews, which is another way of saying to “watch your life and doctrine closely” 1 Timothy 4:16. But, it’s easy to miss where chapters 3-5 of Hebrews take this command into the vast importance of being obedient to what we have heard from the Lord. In Exodus 23:13 (Old Testament) God says “Be careful to do everything I have said to you.” And in Matthew 28:20 (New Testament) Jesus himself gives us the charge of making disciples, baptizing them and “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” And in Matthew 28:20 (New Testament) Jesus himself gives us the charge of making disciples, baptizing them and “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

THIS exact call is reiterated so many times throughout the Bible that it’s hard to conceive we would even consider not being careful or being OK with partial obedience. I personally think that Joshua gives God’s people this powerful command/promise in the most complete and inspiring message delivery saying in Joshua 1:8-9, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

THAT begs the question: How careful are you to pay attention to what God is saying to you and to obey what he tells you?

My prayer for each of you is that you will be vigilant with what you’ve heard, that you will meditate on it more, and that you will Obey ALL of it so that you may prosper and the Lord will be with you wherever you go!