Hebrews 2:1-4 (MSG)
It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off. If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit.
The Word of God is an anchor for us. It is the standard by which we can measure truth. We know that if the message agrees with God’s Word, then the message is true and good; but if the message does not agree with God’s Word, then we know that that message is not from God, is not true, and should be cast down. In the book of Hebrews, the author admonishes us to keep a firm grip on the truth that we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off. With so many messages coming at us from every direction, it can be difficult to stay on track. We can so easily find ourselves distracted and unsure. What about that new teaching? Is it from God? If we don’t hold firm to the truth of God’s Word and stay anchored in that truth, we will find ourselves adrift, going this way and that way in search of every new word instead of walking straight and steady in the center of God’s will.
Many people believe that if God wanted us to know something He would send an angel to tell us like He did in the Old Testament, and the author of Hebrews addresses this to. After all, if any message delivered by an angel was true and binding to the person who heard it wouldn’t a message from the Son of God be more so? After all, Jesus is more important than an angel. Jesus told us that He came to seek and save that which was lost. He told us that He was the way, the truth, and the life. When we deny that truth, we go against the Word of God Himself. If ignoring the message of an angel was bad, how much more so ignoring a message from God?
Finally, the author tells us that we can trust the message of Jesus because God the Father validated that message with signs and miracles and with the Holy Spirit. The ultimate validation of Jesus’ message was His resurrection from the dead. By raising Jesus from the dead, God proved that what He said was true and from God. As we move closer and closer to the last days, there will be an increase in false teachings and false prophets. The Bible even tells us that some of them will be able to perform signs and wonders and would lead the elect astray if such a thing were possible. We know that they will not be able to lead us astray if we are anchored to the Word of God because we will recognize the false teaching and false word. It won’t align with God’s word.
Father, I thank you that you have given us your Word as a standard. It is a firm anchor. We don’t have to be tossed and turned by the storms of life or the waves of every new doctrine or teaching. We can hold firm to the truth of Your Word and know what is from you and what is not. Thank you for the gift of your son and for proving that Jesus was your Son by raising him from the dead. As we encounter more and more “new” teachings and more and more “new” ideas, help us to measure each and every word against your Holy Word to know whether or not we should accept it or cast it down. Thank you for keeping us secure in your hand. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Beautiful Mess 