HOW TO KEEP FROM DRIFTING'
HOW TO KEEP FROM DRIFTING"
HEBREWS 10:38-39
INTRO: The writer kind of gives us a picture of a person who is walking with the LORD by faith, but is now in danger for whatever reason, of lagging behind, shrinking back, or else, stopping his walk altogether. Thus, it is imperative that the writer gave these Hebrew Christians a warning against drifting in their walk with God. The words "draw back unto perdition" mean "to shrink back into sin or waste." It implies that a person is failing to fulfill God's plan and purpose for His life. This appeal to drifters is a much needed appeal in our day. Many who profess Christ are not walking in close fellowship with Him! They are drifting. No closeness to the LORD. No sweet fellowship with Him. Just drifting like a leaf floating down a stream. In 1 John 1:6 we read, "If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." We can never have a close, intimate relationship with God as long as we are drifting. It is possible for a believer to live in sin yet convince himself that everything is fine in his relationship to the LORD (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 2. p. 460). If so, he is deceiving himself and drifting in his walk with God!
In this 10th chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, the writer gives us several ways to avoid this drifting. Several ways that we may have a close, personal relationship with God. Intimacy with God is a choose we make. We may either walk in fellowship with Him; or else, we may drift. All of us are as close to God as we want to be.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go through life without giving God a thought? How lonely and frightening it would be to live without Him! We who are children of God through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ not only have a wonderful future, but we can experience a deep settled peace even now as we enjoy daily fellowship with Him. An unknown poet has described what it means to walk with God:
Begin the day with God, kneel down to Him in prayer;
Lift up your heart to His abode and seek His love to share.
Open the Book of God and read a portion there,
That it may hallow all your thoughts and sweeten all your care
Go through the day with God, e'en though you may not see,
Wher'er you are, at home, abroad, He still is near to thee
Converse in mind with God, your spirit heavenward raise;
Acknowledge every good bestowed and offer grateful praise.
Conclude your day with God, your sins to Him confess;
Trust in the LORD'S atoning blood and plead His righteousness.
Lie down at night with God, who gives His servants sleep;
And when you tread the vale of death,
He'll safely guard and Keep
(Richard W. DeHaan. Our Daily Bread. Volume 38. Number 2. April 24, 1993).
If we would do as those words instruct every day we would all have a closer walk with God! I want to speak on this subject, "How To Keep From Drifting".
TO KEEP FROM DRIFTING:
(1) LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD
HEBREWS 10:19-22—“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way,
which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure
water.”
A. THE WISDOM OF THE ALMIGHTY. The Cross is truly the wisdom of God! Man could not conceive it. Man could not achieve it. Man could only receive it by faith! Our LORD Jesus Christ, by His sacrifice on the Cross, has opened up the way into God's presence. He has provided us a new and living way into the Holiest place of all, the very presence of God. We can know God personally and intimately. We can fellowship with God; we can have His presence and power in our lives each and every day! Then let "us draw near to God"! But the way we approach Him is important. We must prepare ourselves spiritually to fellowship with God.
B. THE WAY OF APPROACH. The OT priest had to go through various washings and applying of the blood on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Also, during the regular daily ministry, the priests had to wash at the laver before they entered the holy place (Exodus 30:18-21). The New Testament Christian (the believer-priest) must come to God with a pure heart and a clean conscience. Fellowship with God demands purity (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 2. p. 315)! (1 John 1:5-2:2). The writer of Hebrews here gives us the way of approach:
← We must have a "true heart". This means a heart that is "genuine, sincere, honest, and without hypocrisy." A true heart involves an attitude of gladness, freedom, and enthusiasm. A true believer in Christ should be thankful, joyful, feel at liberty and excited about entering God's presence. There must not be an hypocrisy or insincerity, no dishonesty in our hearts whatsoever. Too many of us are so wrapped up in the world that we forget to "draw near God". Jesus said of the scribes and the Pharisees, "this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." (Matthew 15:8). Many times we are much the same way. We forget the wonderful thing Christ has done for us. If it were not for Him, where would we be? Too few of us have true, sincere hearts--hearts that continually draw near God. We must awaken and heed this charge. It is God's will and our duty, a duty that is absolutely necessary to keep us from drifting! We must not allow self, sin or anything else to come between us and God! Ephesians 4:14-17 instructs us—“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.”
← We must have "full assurance of faith”. Full assurance means "unqualified assurance in Christ", that He and He alone is the One person who can and does give us access into God's presence. It means that we are absolutely convinced that the Sacrificial death of Jesus Christ is the only possible way to have access to God! We must not approach God flippantly, as though, there is something in us that demands that God give us audience; but because of our faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we can approach the Throne of Grace boldly! (Hebrews 4:14-16). The word "boldly" used in Hebrews 4:16 and "boldness" used here are from the same Greek word which means "confidence and assurance." When we draw near to God it must be done with confidence and assurance, or else, we will begin to drift in our walk with God (Hebrews 11:6)!
← We must come in purity--"having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Once again this is a picture of the high priest cleansing and washing himself before entering God's presence in the Holy of Holies. He sprinkled himself with the blood of the sacrifice and washed himself. This symbolized that his own sins were being forgiven and his own conscience was being cleansed. The point is this: before we enter into the presence of God we must be cleansed of sin. In John 13:8, 10 Jesus told Peter, "If I wash thee not, thou hast not part with me. He that is washed need not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit; and ye are clean...". Jesus used the image of a person returning from the public baths to his own house. His feet would become defiled and require cleansing, but not his body. When we are saved, we are cleansed before the law "once for all" (Hebrews 10:1-12), but daily as we walk in this world of sin we must bring our daily sins to God in confession to remain in unbroken fellowship with Him. Christ cannot have fellowship with a defiled saint, but He can and will cleanse him (C. I. Scofield. The Scofield Study Bible. p. 1134). Thus it is imperative that we daily confess our sins to God to remain in unbroken fellowship with Him (James 4:8).
(2) LET US HOLD FAST
HEBREWS 10:23—“ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).”
A. OUR HOPE IS BASED ON HIS STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS. One of the greatest promises we have is that God keeps His Word! "For He is faithful that promised". The readers of this Epistle were being tempted to forsake their confession of Jesus Christ by going back to the Jewish way. In the Greek NT, the word "faith" here is "hope". Their profession was to be characterized by hope, just as ours is. It is a guaranteed hope (1 Peter 1:3-5)! The Hymn-writer wrote: "My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. ON Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.”
B. OUR HOPE IS BUILT ON A SURE FOUNDATION. In the book of Hebrews, there is an emphasis on the glorious hope of the believer. God is "bringing many sons unto glory" (Hebs. 2:10). Believers are "partakers of the heavenly calling” (Hebs. 3:1) and therefore can rejoice in hope (Hebs. 3:6). Hope is one of the main themes of Hebrews 6 (vv. 11-12, 18-20). We are looking for Christ to return (Hebs. 9:28) and we are seeking that city that is yet to come (Hebs. 13:14) (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 2. p. 315). When we have our hope fixed on Christ, and rely on the faithfulness of God we will not waver. WE will not drift! Instead of looking back, we should keep our eyes on Jesus and His soon return!
(3) LET US STIR UP
HEBREW 10:24—“And let us consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works.”
A. STIR UP OUR MIND. Notice the word “consider”. It means "to give attention to; to fix our attention upon; to give continuous care; to watch over." What an exhortation for believers! Notice this exhortation is not simply for us individually but collectively as brothers and sisters in Christ. “Let us consider one another…”. The command here is “let us love one another, care for one another, and encourage one another in our Christian walk and service.”
B. STIR UP OUR MINISTRY. How different the Church would be--how much stronger we would all be in Christ and life--if we heeded this exhortation! We need to make sure we are stirred up and living for Christ. That we are loving one another and doing good works! It means that we love in act and not in word. That we support one another in all! Colossians 3:16 says—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Romans 12:15 encourages—“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Folks, is this not what the Church is all about; showing concern, care, and compassion. How can we do this? :
← By Visiting the Sick and Shut-ins.
← By Becoming a Friend to The Lonely.
← By Giving Direction to The Empty and Those Without Purpose.
We will drift if we are not mindful of others!
(4) LET US NOT FORSAKE
HEBREWS 10:25—“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and
so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
A. THE ENCOURAGEMENT. We, as believers, are commanded to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Why? Because we assemble:
← To Worship.
← To Pray.
← To Study God's Word.
← To Prepare Ourselves to Minister and Witness.
From reading these words, it seems apparent that some of the wavering
believers were absent from the Church fellowship. It is interesting to
note that the emphasis in this verse is not on what a the believer gets
from the assembly, but rather on what he can contribute to the
assembly (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary.
Volume 2. p. 315). Faithfulness in Church attendance encourages
others and provokes them to love and good works.
B. THE EVIDENCE. All of us are to be more faithful "As we see the day approaching". What day? The day of our LORD'S coming for us! What does your absence tell others? :
← You Don't Believe God's Word As You Should. He has promised to meet with us and bless us (Matthew 18:20). There is a chastening that await those who do not believe this admonition (vv. 26-27).
← You Are Not Enjoying God's Blessings As Much As You Could.
The psalmist rejoiced in the blessings of God's house (Psalm
122:1; 133:1). Church attendance ought to be viewed as
MORE A PRIVILEGE AND LESS A DUTY!
← You Do Not Appreciate The Privilege of Church Membership As You Should. To be a member of a Church to which God has entrusted the Great Commission is a royal privilege. To help carry on God's Kingdom business is a wonderful opportunity (1 Corinthians 3:9).
← You Don't Have Concern That Is Needed. For your own spiritual welfare. We are to grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). How? By the Word (1 Peter 2:2). For the Church's welfare. For the spiritual welfare of others. Are you being a stumbling block or hindrance to a weaker believer? You might be!
You are doomed to drift, if you forsake fellowship with God and His
people!
(5) LET US REMEMBER
HEBREWS 10:32-34—“But call to remembrance the former days, in
which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of
afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by
reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions
of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my
bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in
yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring
substance.”
A. REMEMBER YOUR SPIRITUAL ILLUMINATION. The Hebrew believers
were asked to recall their initial salvation experience (v32). The time
when the Spirit of God moved upon their hearts and quickened them to
the Truth of Jesus Christ. They were "illuminated" the word is
translated from a Greek word that means "to cause to see." Who causes
us to see our lost condition and our need for Salvation? The Holy Spirit
(John 3:3-8)!
When we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we see Christ as we have
never seen Him before! We see what He has done for us out of His
great love and our eyes are opened to our great need! D.L. Moody said,
"When I was converted, the sun shone brighter, the grass seemed
greener, and the birds sang sweeter." How true it is that "If any man
be in Christ…all things become new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
B. REMEMBER YOUR SPIRITUAL STAMINA. When you were first saved,
you wanted to see everyone come to know Christ as their Savior. You
were hard on sin and the devil. And you stood fiercely for you faith and
the Bible! what has happened?
These Hebrew Believers had to endure much conflict and suffering for
their faith. They had been willing to suffer reproach and persecution,
even to the spoiling of their goods. When they were not being
persecuted themselves, they courageously identified with the other
Christians who were in danger, even to the point of sharing their bonds
(Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 2. p.
316). At that time, they had great confidence and hope; but now they
were in danger of casting away that confidence and shrinking back.
What causes us as believers to lose hope and confidence and begin to
drift? :
← Insecurity. A doubting in the promises of God.
← Inability. A doubting of ourselves.
← Inactivity. A disregard for our service in the LORD.
C. REMEMBER YOUR STANDING WITH OTHER BELIEVERS WHO ARE
SUFFERING ALSO. Apparently these Hebrew Christians were severely
persecuted by the world. To be a Christian then was very unpopular
and a mockery to most in the society of that day. Much of the same is
true today. Jesus told His followers it would be so (John 15:18-21).
The question naturally is, “why suffer these things?” Because we have
something better awaiting us (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17)!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12—“Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.”
D. REMEMBER WHY YOU STOOD FAST AND BORE SO MUCH FOR
CHRIST. These Hebrews had suffered much because of their hope of
heaven. And we can endure great hardships it we keep our eyes on the
prize set before us (1 Peter 1:3-5).
If we will remember these things, we will not drift in our walk with God!
(6) LET US RECOGNIZE
HEBREWS 10:35, 37—“Cast not away therefore your confidence,
which hath great recompence of reward. For yet a little while, and
he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
A. THE RECOGNITION. These Hebrew Christians were to recognize that all their suffering was not for naught (Hebrews 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58). There awaited them a "great reward". They also were to recognize that Jesus could return at anytime. We 4on't know for sure when Jesus will come for us, but we are to be ready when He comes (Matthew 24:42, 44). It might be today!
B. THE REWARD. The writer here said, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” We who believe and are faithful to God have promise of great reward (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). That is why we live for Christ here and now! We don't know when He is coming, but we do know that when He returns He is coming with rewards with Him (Revelation 22:12). It is vital then that we recognize these two things:
← All Our Suffering And Service For the LORD Is Not For Naught.
← And Jesus Is Coming Soon To Reward the Faithful!
It we recognize these two things it will keep us from drifting!
(7) LET US RELY
HEBREWS 10:35-36—“Cast not away therefore your confidence
which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of
patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive
the promise.”
*With the prospect of shrinking back from the will of God for them; the
writer gave them two resources they could rely on:
A. FAITH. It is the secret to victory (1 John 5:4). The writer encouraged
them to not "cast away their confidence". The word “confidence” here is
translated from a Greek word which speaks of “faith”. For us to have a
close, personal relationship with God we must walk by faith and not by
sight. Someone has said, "There is a great dishonor to God to trust
Him no farther than we can see Him." (Ralph Cottrell. Voices From The
Days of Yore. p. 26). The Scripture says, "without faith it is impossible
to please him…" (Hebrews 11:6). Bishop Temple defined faith this way:
"Faith is the laying hold of the future in the midst of the present, of the
unseen in the midst of the present." (Ralph Cottrell. Voices From The
Days of Yore. p. 25)
B. FERVENCY (v36). The word "patience" means "endurance,
perseverance, and steadfastness to the will of God." What is the will of
God? For the believer it is to believe and put to practice the commands
of the Word of God! And if we fail in that, we have sinned against the
will of God for our lives! The believer that lives by faith will go on to
spiritual maturity but the believer who lives by sight will "draw back
unto perdition". In other words, He will drift!
CLOSING: To keep everything right between us and our heavenly, we must
seek His face and look to Him and Him alone (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Once while a father was out of town, his daughter had broken her
curfew and stayed out too late with her boyfriend. Now she had to
talk to Dad about it. Embarrassed and afraid, she sat quietly
looking down at her hands in her lap while the discussion went on.
She apologized and they decided on a suitable discipline. "Look at
me," Dad said. It was one of those split second exchanges between
the 16-year-old and her father, but it spoke volumes. Instead of a
harsh look of displeasure, she saw tears and a look of deep love.
She threw her arms around him, and they both knew everything
would be all right between them (David C. Enger. Our Daily Bread.
Volume 40. Number 2. May 4, 1995). We may have drifted in our
walk with God, but that is when we must respond to His invitation
to look to Him. Our greatest concern should be the fear of losing a
close relationship with Him! Have you drifted? You can return.
God invites you to look to Him!
TO KEEP FROM DRIFTING:
← LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD.
← LET US HOLD FAST.
← LET US STIR UP.
← LET US NOT FORSAKE.
← LET US REMEMBER.
← LET US RECOGNIZE.
← LET US RELY.
Friends, if we will do those things we can keep from drifting and
walk close to God!
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