The Great Escape

By Pastor Chad

To be honest, I’m not one for pop-psychology platitudes. Phrases like, “I believe in you!” or “Believe in yourself!” or “I just want to be heard” usually seem antithetical to the humble, self-less way of Christ. Saying that, the phrase “I just want to be heard” usually means more than simply listening to audible information one is disseminating. Most of the time, when someone asks to be heard, he or she wants certain actions to follow. For example, if someone has suffered an injustice and wants to be heard, he usually wants legal action to follow. And if, indeed, an injustice has been done, legal action should follow! Similarly, in Scripture, when one is commanded to hear, it is usually assumed that one is being asked to obey as well. 

Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” The author is appealing to the reader to recall what instructions she or he has received from faithful teachers of God’s Word, and to put those instructions into action. The author is not simply asking that we hear the audible information being given, but that the listener will be obedient to the information. 

It is great to read, memorize, recite, and know Scripture. That is important. The point of knowing Sacred Scripture, however, is not that we simply learn a new piece of knowledge. Knowledge is beneficial and helpful, but it is empty if the knowledge is not applied to one’s life. The knowledge must be used.  

The idea here is that our faith requires focused and intentional diligence to walk as we are commanded to walk. Faith requires obedience. There has been a subtle teaching within evangelicalism that has harmed many souls. This false teaching says that one simply needs to pray a simple prayer and salvation is assured. Such a lie is damnable. It is true that salvation is by faith alone; however, that does not mean our walk with God is thoughtless, unintentional, or halfhearted. Furthermore, that does not mean disobedience is inconsequential. When we are called to follow Christ, we are called to give our all. We are called to surrender our lives to Christ. We are called to conform our lives to His command, His will, His teachings. Obedience always follows true biblical faith. If one truly believes, he or she will obey. If one truly hears, he or she will follow.