By Misty Wells
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip” Hebrews 2:1.
“Hold on tight!” I say, as I walk my precious little ones across the busy parking lot. “There are cars pulling in and out, and mommy would be so upset if something should happen to you.” I squeeze their little hands tightly as they try to keep up with my pace. Occasionally, they begin to slip as the distractions of their surroundings steal their attention. “Hold on tight. We are almost there,” I say. Their safety is most important to me, and the walk is quite pleasant, so long as they listen and heed to my instruction. Sometimes we discuss the dangers around us. Other times, we talk about how pretty the flowers are. I enjoy our time together more than they will ever know. You see, it’s not my desire to drag them to our destination. I would much rather them walk with me willingly, hand in hand.
The Bible says in Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip.” In this verse, the word slip means “to slip away from.” In a world of countless distractions, are you slipping away? I want to encourage you to hold fast!
Hold fast to your profession of faith.
Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).”Do you remember the day that you came to faith in Christ? Oh, the peace of sins forgiven! It was the first time you realized that He longed to walk with you. He reached down with those hands of mercy and picked you up, dusted you off, and He placed you into the family of God. You will never have to walk alone again. Praise the Lord! Don’t let the joy of your salvation slip away!
Hold fast to Instruction (the Word of God). The Bible says in Proverbs 4:13, “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:keep her; for she is thy life.” Proverbs 4:4 says, “He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live.” It’s still right to obey truth. According to Joshua 1:8, in doing so you are making your way prosperous! Listen to instruction and apply it to your life. His word is like water to a thirsty soul. Reading the Word of God every day must be a priority. You are hindering your walk with God if you let this slip. “Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.” Psalm 119:129.
Hold fast to tradition.
Paul says in II Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” The word tradition here simply means “what is handed on.” We have been given a priceless treasure by those before us. Lessons and experiences of God's faithfulness passed down from generation to generation. Habits and disciplines formed from sound doctrine that have paved the way for others. I’m so thankful for a godly heritage. I learned how to study the Bible and pray because the importance of such things was passed down to me. I learned the necessity of faithfulness first through faithfulness in the lives of others. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” Hebrews 13:7. These traditions are not what saved you and me, but they encourage and exhort us in the faith. We must not let them go.
Hold fast despite your surroundings.
Revelation 2:13 says, “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith…” This is a message to the church of Pergamos. God is acknowledging the fact that He knows where they are. He knows how bad it is. However, the chapter goes on to tell us that the Lord has “somewhat against them” because they have allowed false doctrine into the church. Yes, they were holding fast to His name and had not denied the faith, but they were also accepting false teaching. As a mother, I wouldn’t allow a stranger to hold the hand of my child as we walked along, so why should we expect God to? I refuse to hold both the hand of our Lord and the hand of false doctrine. Don’t get distracted by your surroundings. Keep the pace. Hold on to righteousness and truth no matter how acceptable sin is in some of the churches of our day. We are getting too comfortable in this world. This is not our home. He has a better place prepared for His children. “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” Hebrews 11:16.
Lastly, hold fast unto the end.
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;'' Hebrews 3:14. I encourage you to finish the way you started. Many are compromising on convictions they have held to for years. Just because society deems it acceptable doesn’t mean God does. “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” I Corinthians 15:58. Sinners are looking for consistency and stability in those who call themselves Christians. Please don’t disappoint them. It’s okay to stay the same if the same is what thus saith the Lord.
HOLD FAST to your profession of faith. HOLD FAST to instruction.
HOLD FAST to tradition.
HOLD FAST despite your surroundings.
HOLD FAST unto the end.
Like I say to my little ones as we walk hand in hand, “Hold on tight,” for we are almost home.
“Hand in Hand with Jesus”
Once from my poor sin-sick soul
Christ did every burden roll,
Now I walk redeemed and whole.
Hand in hand with Jesus.
In my night of dark despair,
Jesus heard and answered prayer,
Now I’m walking free as air,
Hand in hand with Jesus.
From the straight and narrow way,
Praise the Lord, I cannot stray,
For I’m walking everyday,
Hand in hand with Jesus.
When the stars are backward rolled,
And His Home I shall behold,
I will walk those streets of gold,
Hand in hand with Jesus.
Hand in hand we walk each day,
Hand in hand along the way,
Walking thus I cannot stray,
Hand in hand with Jesus.
Johnson Oatman, Jr
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