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Connecting Point: "Don't Drift," Says the Letter to Hebrews

At the beginning of winter not long ago, fishermen Jose and Ezequiel went to sea off the Mexican coast as was their routine, but that afternoon a storm pounded their small vessel and had its way with them. They survived, but a day and a half later the men were far adrift and captive to the will of nature. Without a compass, they were left to survive the elements. Ezequiel died almost exactly four months after they set out. Jose continued to drift day after day. For several days he spotted ships that might rescue him, but no one ever saw him. After being lost for thirteen months, Jose spotted land. He rowed to the breakwater, abandoned his skiff, and swam ashore. He was 5,900 miles from home in the Marshall Islands. What a truly remarkable story of

perseverance, and one applicable to the Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament.

The slender work never reveals who the author is, but he had at least one clear goal in mind, to strengthen his Jewish audience in their Christian faith. We need to remember the personal and social pressures that they were facing. Historically, Jews had survived the centuries by drawing apart from other cultures. To turn to Christianity, you would have to abandon close friends and family. Secondly, the Roman regional leader Nero was a dictator and murderer. Not only did young Nero kill Christians, he arbitrarily executed those closest to him.

The Epistle begins with this warning: “We must pay the most careful attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a

salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will,” (cf. Hebrews 2:1-4).

To this day the debate continues about the author’s intent regarding “drifting away.” On one side, you have the Calvinists who hold to eternal security, stating salvation cannot be lost because otherwise the person was never “saved” from the start. On the other side, Arminian opponents adhere to the role of free will in salvation. They say that life consists of discovering Christ and then participating in his grace unto salvation. Finally, you have viewpoints that fall somewhere between these two positions. However, after all is said, the

author’s intention is clear; drifting away is dangerous. Whatever our

viewpoint, we must pay attention. We will never drift closer to Christ by

accident. Faith in Jesus is about “grit” and perseverance.

Those Hebrew Christians had three options. They could renounce their newfound faith and return to Judaism. They could abandon faith altogether. Or, they could stand firm in Christ, resisting both the pressures from the Jews or Nero. Under day-to-day grind, any person might lose faith.

All in all, Hebrews is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ’s leadership. Jesus Christ is far better than even the best Jewish tradition, prophet, or angel. Salvation through Jesus Christ is God’s perfect plan to redeem lost and broken people. Be cognizant of spiritual drift. We all face it. Stay strong in Christ. And if you are “lost at sea” won’t you trust Jesus with your life?

 

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