Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 The message GOD delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience.” ~ Hebrews 2:1-2
The author called his readers to pay attention to the truth they had heard so that they would not drift away into false teachings. Paying careful attention is hard work. It involves focusing our mind, body, and senses. Listening to Christ means not merely hearing but also obeying. – 22 “And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen. If you do not obey, you are only fooling yourself. 23 For if you just listen and do not obey, it is like looking at your face in the mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you keep looking steadily into GOD’s perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and do not forget what you heard, then GOD will bless you for doing it.” – James 1:22-25 – It is important to listen to what GOD’s Word says, but it is much more important to obey it and to do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitude. Are we putting into action what we have studied? Have we studied? We must study GOD’s Word, then listen carefully and be ready to carry out HIS instructions.
“The message GOD delivered through angels” refers to the teaching that angels, as messengers of GOD, had brought the law of Moses. – “Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. But this system of law was to last only until the coming of the Child to whom GOD’s promise was made. And there is this further difference. GOD gave HIS laws to angels to give to Moses, who was the mediator between GOD and the people.” – Galatians 3:19 – The law has two functions. On the positive side – it reveals the nature and will of GOD and shows people how to live. On the negative side, it points out people’s sins and shows them that it is impossible to please GOD by trying to obey all HIS laws completely. GOD’s promise to Abraham dealt with Abraham’s faith; the law focuses on actions. The covenant with Abraham shows that faith is the only way to be saved; the law shows how to obey GOD in grateful response. Faith does not annul the law; but the more we know GOD, the more we see how sinful we are. Then we are driven to depend on our faith in Christ alone for our salvation.
A central theme of Hebrews is that Christ is infinitely greater than all other proposed ways to GOD. The author was saying that the faith of his Jewish readers was good, but faith must point to Christ. Just as Christ is greater than angels, so Christ’s message is more important than theirs. No one will escape GOD’s punishment if he or she is indifferent to the salvation offered by Christ.
Father, we know that YOUR Word is not just a message to hear, but also to obey. YOUR Word LORD is perfect and if we follow and obey it – it will set us free and we will be blessed for doing it. Help us Father GOD, to put into action what we have studied. Help us to hear YOU and be ready to carry out YOUR instructions.
Photo: Durango (Colorado)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
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