“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, ESV)
Recently, I was cleaning out my garage area. I have a set of hand tools in a toolbox that I keep in the garage to work on the lawn mower and outdoor chores. The toolbox and tools have been there for years. As I opened the toolbox during my cleaning, I was shocked at what I found. The tools in the upper tray were rusted. After removing the upper tray, I noticed that the bottom of the toolbox had about a quarter cup of water lying in it. The tools in the bottom of the toolbox were even more damaged by rust. I looked back to where I had placed my toolbox and discovered that during a recent project, I had moved the toolbox to the floor. Without thinking, I had placed it underneath the brush I used for cleaning the car. The last time I cleaned the car, the brush must have had some water still in it that dripped onto the toolbox. Because the toolbox cheaply made, it leaked from the top. The result was a toolbox where half of the tools were damaged beyond repair. Neglecting to keep the toolbox in a dry spot will cost me a hundred dollars in replacement tools. If I would have taken only one minute to move the toolbox back to its dry spot, I would have saved myself all this loss. I hate having to replace these tools. Sadly, one of the tools in the box that had to be thrown out was a gift from my late grandfather. This made it even more upsetting.
When you neglect to do something important, ignore a potential hazard, or overlook warning signs, these decisions can nail you later. Neglecting things often causes regrets, whether its neglecting to change the oil in your car or neglecting a visit to a friend in hospice. If you wait too long, put something off past its prime, or ignore a need, you might not like the price you have to pay in the end.
Neglecting your spiritual life or relationship with God will have similar results. If you ignore your Bible studies and scripture readings, your spiritual strength may fail you in a moment of crisis. Neglect to pray and you might find your life slowly spinning out of control. Neglect your relationship with God and you may find yourself consumed by temptations or emotions or a sinful lifestyle.
The US. News and World Report of April 27, 1992 contained an article about Chicago’s financial woes in 1992. What the article revealed is remarkably interesting for today’s meditation. Read on… “For most of the last decade, Chicagoans who worked in the Loop, the booming downtown business district, could easily ignore the city’s budget crisis; Washington’s cutback of aid to cities didn’t seem to hurt business. Last week, they learned one price of neglecting the underpinnings of all that economic growth. A quarter billion gallons of murky Chicago River water gushed into a 60-mile network of turn-of-the-century freight tunnels under the Loop and brought nearly all businesses to a soggy halt. It turned out that a top city official had known about the leak, but, acting for a cash-strapped government, had delayed repairs costing only about $50,000. The final cost of the damage could run higher than $1 billion.”
Did you notice how a $50,000 neglected repair turned into a $1 billion dollar colossal mistake? Even small things overlooked in your life may result in big consequences. Neglecting a couple of hours of exercise each week could result in a heart attack years later. Neglecting a small leak in a ceiling might end up in thousands of dollars of plumbing, painting, refinishing, and structural costs. Neglecting time with God can have eternal consequences.
Geoffrey was a very gifted teacher. He loved teaching fifth graders. To him, teaching wasn’t a job but a calling. He poured his heart and soul into his work, and the children loved him for it. During class one winter’s day, most of the children decided to stay inside during recess. Seven boys got all dressed up and went out. Geoffrey was surprised that one of the boys, Kurt, decided to go out. Kurt not only had a speech impediment, but he had other physical problems. Geoffrey remained in the classroom while keeping an eye on the boys outside through his classroom window.
From his vantage point, Geoffrey could see that Kurt was being teased for his lack of stability on the slippery areas of the playground. Several times Kurt fell, to the amusement of his classmates. When the boys returned to the classroom, they were laughing about Kurt’s instability on the ice. When Kurt finally returned, Geoffrey sidled over to his desk and whispered, “You OK, Kurt? I saw you slip a few times out there. I hope the boys didn’t tease you too much about it.”
Kurt responded quietly, “That’s OK. I’ll try harder next time. At least Jesus loves me as I am.”
Geoffrey was dumbstruck by Kurt’s statement. Not only did he not know that Kurt was a regular churchgoer, but the boy was also obviously secure in his faith. Without showing it, Kurt’s statement of faith bothered Geoffrey for the rest of the day. That night he tossed and turned while in bed. Geoffrey remembered when, as a child, Jesus meant that much to him. Sadly, Geoffrey’s faith had drifted away over the years. A few weeks later Geoffrey confided to his wife that he missed praying and worshipping. They found a wonderful church and are active members to this day.
The scripture written above from Hebrews 2 contains some powerful words. The writer of Hebrews is anonymous, but his faith is powerfully present. The first verse contains a warning to all the faithful to “pay attention” to the gospel and not let it “drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). His goal in writing these words was to remind the faithful that faith in Jesus must be nurtured. It must be treasured and guarded. It is precious. The author of Hebrews considered the true gospel “reliable” (Hebrews 2:2). He believed that making it through life was impossible without it. He even begged to question, “how shall we escape (from sin) if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). The author here is fully aware that some people drift away from God. Those who drift away from God will have little hope from suffering in the long run. Neglecting their salvation will have long lasting repercussions.
Is there a part of your spiritual life that has been neglected? Do you pray regularly with passion? Does God know you intimately? Are you active in outreach, missions, teaching, and giving? When even a part of your spiritual life is neglected, that is where Satan will strike first. That is where neglect will cause fractures in your spiritual strength. I want you to have a healthy and powerful spiritual life with Jesus as your Master and Lord. That can never happen if you let your faith drift away with time…. So, what can you do to nurture and strengthen that beautiful faith of yours today?
When you neglect to do something important, ignore a potential hazard, or overlook warning signs, these decisions can nail you later. Neglecting things often causes regrets, whether its neglecting to change the oil in your car or neglecting a visit to a friend in hospice. If you wait too long, put something off past its prime, or ignore a need, you might not like the price you have to pay in the end.
Neglecting your spiritual life or relationship with God will have similar results. If you ignore your Bible studies and scripture readings, your spiritual strength may fail you in a moment of crisis. Neglect to pray and you might find your life slowly spinning out of control. Neglect your relationship with God and you may find yourself consumed by temptations or emotions or a sinful lifestyle.
The US. News and World Report of April 27, 1992 contained an article about Chicago’s financial woes in 1992. What the article revealed is remarkably interesting for today’s meditation. Read on… “For most of the last decade, Chicagoans who worked in the Loop, the booming downtown business district, could easily ignore the city’s budget crisis; Washington’s cutback of aid to cities didn’t seem to hurt business. Last week, they learned one price of neglecting the underpinnings of all that economic growth. A quarter billion gallons of murky Chicago River water gushed into a 60-mile network of turn-of-the-century freight tunnels under the Loop and brought nearly all businesses to a soggy halt. It turned out that a top city official had known about the leak, but, acting for a cash-strapped government, had delayed repairs costing only about $50,000. The final cost of the damage could run higher than $1 billion.”
Did you notice how a $50,000 neglected repair turned into a $1 billion dollar colossal mistake? Even small things overlooked in your life may result in big consequences. Neglecting a couple of hours of exercise each week could result in a heart attack years later. Neglecting a small leak in a ceiling might end up in thousands of dollars of plumbing, painting, refinishing, and structural costs. Neglecting time with God can have eternal consequences.
Geoffrey was a very gifted teacher. He loved teaching fifth graders. To him, teaching wasn’t a job but a calling. He poured his heart and soul into his work, and the children loved him for it. During class one winter’s day, most of the children decided to stay inside during recess. Seven boys got all dressed up and went out. Geoffrey was surprised that one of the boys, Kurt, decided to go out. Kurt not only had a speech impediment, but he had other physical problems. Geoffrey remained in the classroom while keeping an eye on the boys outside through his classroom window.
From his vantage point, Geoffrey could see that Kurt was being teased for his lack of stability on the slippery areas of the playground. Several times Kurt fell, to the amusement of his classmates. When the boys returned to the classroom, they were laughing about Kurt’s instability on the ice. When Kurt finally returned, Geoffrey sidled over to his desk and whispered, “You OK, Kurt? I saw you slip a few times out there. I hope the boys didn’t tease you too much about it.”
Kurt responded quietly, “That’s OK. I’ll try harder next time. At least Jesus loves me as I am.”
Geoffrey was dumbstruck by Kurt’s statement. Not only did he not know that Kurt was a regular churchgoer, but the boy was also obviously secure in his faith. Without showing it, Kurt’s statement of faith bothered Geoffrey for the rest of the day. That night he tossed and turned while in bed. Geoffrey remembered when, as a child, Jesus meant that much to him. Sadly, Geoffrey’s faith had drifted away over the years. A few weeks later Geoffrey confided to his wife that he missed praying and worshipping. They found a wonderful church and are active members to this day.
The scripture written above from Hebrews 2 contains some powerful words. The writer of Hebrews is anonymous, but his faith is powerfully present. The first verse contains a warning to all the faithful to “pay attention” to the gospel and not let it “drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). His goal in writing these words was to remind the faithful that faith in Jesus must be nurtured. It must be treasured and guarded. It is precious. The author of Hebrews considered the true gospel “reliable” (Hebrews 2:2). He believed that making it through life was impossible without it. He even begged to question, “how shall we escape (from sin) if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). The author here is fully aware that some people drift away from God. Those who drift away from God will have little hope from suffering in the long run. Neglecting their salvation will have long lasting repercussions.
Is there a part of your spiritual life that has been neglected? Do you pray regularly with passion? Does God know you intimately? Are you active in outreach, missions, teaching, and giving? When even a part of your spiritual life is neglected, that is where Satan will strike first. That is where neglect will cause fractures in your spiritual strength. I want you to have a healthy and powerful spiritual life with Jesus as your Master and Lord. That can never happen if you let your faith drift away with time…. So, what can you do to nurture and strengthen that beautiful faith of yours today?