Sunday, March 27, 2011 am
Today, we want to examine one such word used several times in
scripture. In preparing for
my class on Hebrews, I have found many such words that are worthy of
serious consideration. We
want to examine the word “lest” as it is found in that book.
a.
Defined –
there are two words that address the usage of this word in Hebrews
i.
Both are
compound words that begin with the negative particle (i.e. not)
ii.
One word
means “ever” or “at any time” (DBL Greek); Vine’s – “once, at some time”
Thus, the word indicates a negative possibility, but at the same time it
is describing something that should NEVER happen.
I.e. – “not at anytime.”
This is found in Hebrews 2:1 which would say, “Therefore
we must give the earnest heed to the things we have heard,
so that we will NOT AT ANY TIME drift away.”
iii.
The second
word means, “in order that” or “for the purpose of”.
With the negative, it is saying, “not for the purpose of”.
An example of this is found in Hebrews 4:11 which says, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest,
in order that no one fall to the same example of disobedience.”
b.
In the
book of Hebrews this word usually carries with it a sense of warning.
It is dealing with consequences when we are neglectful of our
responsibilities as Christians.
a.
Heb. 2:1 – Lest we
drift away. When we think of drifting, we think of that boat that is
separated from its anchor or loosed from its moor.
When this happens, it does not take long for that boat to be off
course and if not corrected, the boat might be lost or even crash.
Drifting is always a concern for
Christians. It is usually
the way a Christian loses his faith – not a sudden quitting, but a
gradual weakening.
Many passages imply the possibility of this – Gal. 6:9 speaks of growing
weary
Rev. 2:4 speaks of losing
your first love; Luke 8:14 speaks of the stony soil which chokes out the
seed
b.
Heb. 3:12 – Lest there
be in you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
One might ask how someone can become an unbeliever.
Sadly we have seen it.
We have seen faithful brethren quit serving God.
We have also seen brethren apostatize because they didn’t believe
something God told them to do (selective obedience).
Throughout Israel’s history, they possessed this evil attitude. It is
the point addressed in the context around this warning (Heb. 3:19).
It happens because we become too familiar with the world – 1 Cor. 15:33,
Jas. 4:4
c.
Heb. 3:13 – Lest any of
you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
This is another example of gradual damage.
Sin doesn’t always present itself as ugly and disgusting.
It is usually disguised, like Satan himself and his ministers – 2
Cor. 11:14
James 1:14 says we are drawn away by desires and enticed which gives
birth to sin.
d.
Heb. 4:1 – Lest any of
you seem to have come short of it.
This warning in the midst of a discussion about the rest that Christians
have to look forward to. It
is that rest that the author is warning these brethren they don’t want
to miss out on. Thus he is
speaking of heaven.
The implication of the text is that it is POSSIBLE for one to be
pursuing heaven and to fall short of it.
Is that not what Paul expressed in 1 Cor. 9:27?
Colossians 2:18 says, “Let no one cheat you of your reward…”
e.
Heb. 4:11 – Lest anyone
fall according to the same example of disobedience.
Still dealing with the rest to be found in heaven, the writer here
speaks of FALLING which indicates that one WAS standing.
In Galatians 5:4 says that it is very much possible for one to
fall from grace.
In Hebrews 6:4-6, the writer will warn these brethren that if they fall
away, they are in dire circumstances.
The context is CLEARLY describing one who was faithful and has
left God, thus falling away.
f.
Heb. 12:3 – Lest you
become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Moving toward the end of the book, the writer now warns against becoming
weary and discouraged.
Anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time can relate to
this. It becomes a challenge
to stay fervent. And when
times get rough, it is easy to either give up or let up.
Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary in doing good.
Also 2 Thess. 3:13
g.
Heb. 12:15 – Lest any
of you fall short of the grace of God.
This is another reminder, similar to Heb. 4:1 which we discussed above.
Again, an examination of this text implies the need to REMAIN faithful
until death (Rev. 2:10).
Note here how reference is made to the grace of God.
The grace of God is His unmatched and unmerited gift to us.
Yet, in this text, one can fall short of it.
h.
Heb. 12:15 – Lest any
root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become
defiled.
Have you ever seen bitterness cause trouble and defile godly brethren?
Sadly, I have!
Bitterness is one of those attitudes the Christian is expected to put
away – Eph. 4:31, Jas. 3:14, etc.
It comes from an ungodly attitude that is not overcome.
It is one of many!
i.
Heb. 12:16 – Lest there
be any fornicator or profane person like Esau…
Hopefully, we do not have fornicators in our midst, but what about
profane persons? The word
profane means to be unholy or defiled.
It describes one whose conduct and words show disrespect for God
and things holy.
Hebrews 10:26-31 describes the one who continues to live his life in
willful sin. He is told to
be afraid of God’s wrath.
Among the descriptions of what he has done in vs. 29 is that he has
trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant a
common thing (profaned it) and insulted the Spirit of grace.
If we are not careful, our conduct can reach this point.
Ask Peter who denied his Lord 3 times! Matt. 27:74-75.
j.
Truly, these descriptions ought to be of concern to us
– especially when, as we examine EACH
text we notice it is speaking to Christians!
The passages abundantly let us know, that as Christians, we can
disappoint God and as a result of that, pay the consequences.
a.
BUT, in
each of the above passages, the consequence was accompanied by an action
which could prevent it. You
might say, that if we want to live faithfully and ensure that you do not
lose your salvation, these are the things we MUST do!
Yes, we CAN secure our salvation – 2 Pet. 1:10 tells us to make our call
and election sure. It hinges
on what we DO!
Let us now again revisit each text and notice how we can prevent the
undesired state.
b.
Heb. 2:1 – Give the
more earnest heed to the things we have heard –
Over and over, it begins with strong familiarity with God’s word.
We need to STUDY OUR BIBLES!
Not just to learn what it says, but to HEED it or LISTEN to it!
While the text is dealing with a different setting, the words of Luke
9:44 drive the point home: “Let
these words sink down into your ears,…”
To prevent drifting off course, a boat has instruments and a good
captain is trained to get his bearings.
The Bible is our instrument – become familiar with it!
As Paul told Timothy, “Take heed
to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you
will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Tim 4:16
c.
Heb. 3:12 – Beware
–
It is the classic warning and describes the alert state of mind.
A key to victory in any engagement is to know your enemy.
It is true in war, sports, politics and religion!
We have to be paying attention to what is going on.
1 Peter 5:8 tells us the devil walks about like a roaring lion.
Quite often, when we let down our guards and go to sleep we get
in trouble spiritually. That
is why Paul said to WAKE UP!
Rom. 13:11, 1 Cor. 15:34.
d.
Heb. 3:13 – Exhort one
another daily –
We need each other! Does
this text address assembling together specifically? NO!
But Heb. 10:25 does. This
text places upon us the responsibility to interact with one another MORE
than once a week. It was key
to the success of the first century church – Acts 2:46, 1 Cor. 11:22
hints at this.
While we might not be able to visit with one another every day (and I
don’t think it means that), there needs to be FREQUENT interaction with
one another. The well-being
of our souls depends on it.
Keeping our hearts PURE depends on it.
e.
Heb. 4:1 – Let us fear.
We have emphasized this recently.
While our lives as Christians ought not to be governed by fear,
we need to keep close enough to the front how terrible of a place hell
really is! We ought to
remind ourselves of the consequences of falling away, including the
actions our brethren must take against us, lost blessings both now and
eternal.
As the Hebrew writer said in Heb. 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the living God.”
Romans 11:20 summarizes it, “Do not be haughty, but fear.”
f.
Heb. 4:11 – Be diligent
–
The KJV says, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest…”
It takes great effort to ensure our home in heaven.
Don’t let anyone deceive you
otherwise! Anything
worthwhile takes work, much more spiritual matters.
Christians need to be diligent in all that we do.
2 Pet. 1:10 tells us to be even more diligent to make our call
and election sure.
Phil. 2:12, “Work out your own salvation with fear and tembling.”
g.
Heb. 12:3 – Consider
Jesus.
Considering it is Christ that we put on when we become Christians (Rom.
13:14) and that He is our Savior, we ought to think about Him.
One of the points of assurance made by the Hebrew writer was that He
understands what we go through.
He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin (Heb.
2:17-18, 4:15-16).
He is our example in all things, cf. 1 Pet. 2:21, 1 Cor. 11:1.
Considering the text, we ask: Did Jesus ever become discouraged?
Did he deal with disappointments? Absolutely!
But He endured and He overcame.
Are we truly trying to imitate Him?
h.
Heb. 12:14-16 – Pursue
peace with all men, and sanctification.
In these verses we noted our term was used 3 times.
The solution is the same for all of them -
We need to seek peace with our brethren AND with God.
Far too many are just not interested in peace with their brethren.
The result is wars – Jas. 4:1-3.
WE must pursue peace – Rom. 14:19 with men
BUT, we must also pursue peace with God Himself (sanctification).
That can only be done by having our sins forgiven.
1 Peter 3:10-12 quotes Psalm
34:12-16 and describes how our life is pleasant now and how we please
God.