Fall Away – Part 1

By Pastor Chad

Have you ever been in a spiritual slump? By that I mean, a time when you are not following the Lord as you should? Probably so. Most of us have. It is very common among believers. That doesn’t mean it is right, but–being honest–it is common. If you have been in such a state, it is also likely you were a bit spiritually restless at the time. In other words, you knew you weren’t walking with the Lord like you needed to and you were uncomfortable with the relationship. 

If I just described you–or a past you–Hebrews 3:7-12 can serve as a cautionary passage. After giving a lengthy discourse on the defense that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the author of Hebrews now appeals to the reader to respond. The author uses Psalm 95:7-11, which is a psalm of David recounting the events in Numbers 14 and in Exodus 17, to admonish his readers. To summarize verses 7-11, those with hard hearts will not enter the rest of God. Though I think the primary context of the passage applies to those who are unbelievers, that does not negate the fact that even believers can stifle their hearts against the will of God. In fact, I dare say all of us have done such a thing at some time in our walk with Him. Rebellion is the natural inclination of a sinful heart. We all struggle with submission in our lives. We all struggle to submit to even human authorities because our sinful nature inclines us toward the self. 

Thus, dear Christians, Hebrews 3 serves as an exhortation to us. We must guard our hearts, so that they are not inclined toward disobedience to our Lord. All who live in disobedience are outside the rest of God. All who struggle to be obedient in every area of their life, may find it difficult to experience the peace of God. 

Sin is a disruptor. It is an agitator of life. No one–and by that I mean no one–can completely rest in the Lord if he or she has a nagging sin that is undealt with. We Christians still live in these mortal, frail, sinful bodies. The allure of sin is a perpetual menace. If we indulge any sin, it will cause a burr in the saddle of life that cannot be soothed. The only way to find peace is to repent of the sin and throw it at the foot of the cross. Ignore it at your own unrest. Embrace it to your own demise. Surrender it to your eternal rest.