Carol J German

Today is the best day of your life. You have an opportunity to make changes, changes that would better your life. I don’t mean financially better. Money can be taken in an instant, and you can’t take it with you when you die. What I mean by better is that you go deep in faith with God daily.

How does one go deep in faith? You must first come to understand why you need to follow Christ. Go ahead and read Hebrews 2 and let’s see what God wants you to learn so you will choose Christ and follow after Him wholeheartedly.

Again, we are not sure of the author of Hebrews, but this servant of the Lord gives you and I a stark warning. In verse 1, what is it?

“We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”¹

You must accept reality. You are prone to wander from a better life, an abundant life, because of the sin that lies within you. You are inclined to trust yourself and live life based on your own wiring, reasonings and temperament, thus you drift away from God.

So, what do you do when you know this truth? You talk with God and you confess your sins, along with your desires to do your own thing apart from Him. Then, you ask God to help you, to change you, for you know you need to walk in His ways. This is to be done on a daily basis for you are one choice away, one decision away from sinning. It is good to walk intimately with Jesus as your best friend. He desires this for you.

You allow the Holy Spirit to move within you and change you from the inside out.

What do you learn about God’s message in verse 2? How does this help you to call out to God even more? Whenever you walk away from God, it is an act of disobedience. God punishes disobedience. Do it long enough and God will prune you off of His vine, see John 15:1-8. In 1 Peter 4:18 it says, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” The old cliche’ that “once you’re saved you’re always saved” is not biblical. A believer can leave the narrow path. God will try to guide you back, but you must be willing to come back through confession, “Father, I have sinned. I need you.” Then, you return to the narrow path and walk in truth by the Spirit not living the same way any longer.

God will be faithful to receive you. His love is that big and gracious.

A question is asked in verse 3? What is God saying to you? If you are hesitant to respond to Christ with an elated, relieved, humbled, surrendered soul, look at verse 4. God confirms His message (of salvation through His Son). He will reveal Himself to you. You will know it is God within you when you allow the Holy Spirit to change you.

Verse 5 seems a bit out of place. The author may be referring to the importance God places on His children while they walk upon the earth. I base this off the rest of the chapter 2.

The reality of sin is that you and I deserve eternal separation from God, but in Christ’s death and resurrection, God receives you, acquitted from all sin; past, present, and future. What does Christ do for you in verses 6-8? You can read this in Psalm 8:4-6 also.

When Christ resides within you, God gives you glory and honor. Nothing in this world will do that for you. Worldly glory and honor is conditional and fickle. For you to be elevated, others have to be demoted. There isn’t enough room for everyone to be on top.

In God’s Kingdom, everyone has a seat at the King’s table.

It is good to keep in the forefront of your mind who Christ is. After walking as His child for awhile, one becomes complacent, bored perhaps, with old news, “I already know this,” type of thinking. So, you become blase’ with the very thing that is needed to keep you on the narrow path. This is how religious faith takes hold and quiets the Spirit within.

God wants to splash a refreshing cup of truth in your face with verses 9-13. What are you needing to hear afresh once again? How will studying these verses awaken your sleepy soul? The Holy Spirit wants to become alive and active within you once again. Will you let Him or will you choose to be indifferent, uninterested?

Verses 14-18 tells you why Jesus is the only one to lead you back to God. You learn that you are flesh and blood. Jesus became flesh and blood too. Why, see verse 14? In this world, you and I struggle with many fears. So much so, that we become slaves to them. The example given in verse 15 is the fear of dying. The resurrection of Christ ends that fear. When you take your last breath, He walks you home to heaven.

How is Christ described in verses 17-18 that should encourage you that you can go to Him for everything?

“Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.”¹⁰ He will keep you from wandering.

I keep my heart and mind open to God’s truths in the Bible, as well as seeking and studying like a student desiring to learn more. It helps me to keep from wandering. Walking moment-by-moment in the Spirit will keep you awake to Christ within you.

What a beautiful relationship between Christ and me, Christ and you. Together, God unites His children in love.