WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MARCH 18, 2022
TOPIC: DON’T DRIFT AWAY FROM THE TRUTH
BY T. O. BANSO
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1 New King James Version).
The writer of the book of Hebrews touched on a very important subject in chapter 2: we must not drift away from the truth. He said, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it” (Hebrews 2:1 New Living Translation). The World English Bible presents the verse thus: “Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.”
The book of Hebrews was originally written to the Hebrew Christians. The writer warned the Hebrew Christians of his day against drifting away from the truth after their conversion from Judaism. Probably they were contemplating returning to Judaism. But this warning also applies to Christians generally today. “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1 New King James Version). “The things we have heard” refers to the gospel message, which is also the truth.
The writer continues in verses 2-4: “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (New King James Version). “The word spoken through angels” refers to the Mosaic Law.
As Christians, our attitude to the truth of the Word of God must go beyond just hearing; we must carefully pay attention to it. Our response must go beyond collecting information or hearing revelations.
We must not only obey the truth that we have been taught; we must also continue in it. We must not drift away into false teachings. “So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth” (Hebrews 2:1 New Century Version). If you won’t stray away from the truth, you must ensure that you are more careful to follow what you have been taught.
If it is not possible to stray or drift away from the truth after receiving, believing, and obeying it, James 5:19-20 wouldn’t have said, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (New King James Version). Please take note that those who might wonder from the truth, as said in that scripture, were brethren (brothers and sisters), not sinners.
It is possible to live contrary to the knowledge of the truth one has received. Hebrews 10:26-27 says, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (New King James Version).
That’s why you should abide in Jesus and let His words abide in you (John 15:7a). To abide in Jesus is to abide in the truth. Jesus says He is the truth. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Bible says the Word of God is truth (John 17:17b). We must be more careful to follow what we have been taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth. Pay attention to the truth you have heard.
To abide in Jesus is to walk in the truth. John wrote in 3 John 3-4, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (New King James Version).
Listening carefully to the truth goes beyond listening with your ears. As we’ve already seen, it means following what you’ve been taught. It means obeying the teachings of the Bible, especially the New Testament. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32 New King James Version).
You were saved by the Word of truth, which you heard, and you should continue in it. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” (Ephesians 1:13 New King James Version).
Continue to obey the same truth you’ve heard. Don’t drift away. Don’t follow popular teachings or opinions that are contrary to the truth the Bible teaches. Don’t be like those the Bible says will perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
Also, don’t be like those the Bible says will no longer listen to the right teaching, but will follow their own desires and look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. These people will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Follow the truth. Don’t let anything or anyone hinder you from the truth (Galatians 5:7). Jesus said, “If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my followers” (John 8:31 New Century Version). Are you truly a follower of Jesus? To continue in His teaching is to abide in His Word. Avoid false teachings.
The summary of Jesus’ teaching, in one word, is love. Those who are truly followers or disciples of Jesus love God and fellow human beings (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31). They love each other and bear much fruit (John 13:35; 15:8). Pay greater attention to the things that were heard. Carefully follow the truth you’ve been taught.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, help me to carefully follow the truth of the Word of God and not drift away. I shall abide in the Word of God and not stray away in Jesus’ name. Holy Spirit, restore those who have departed from the truth so that they will continue to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ. Convict those who have never received the knowledge of the truth. Let them surrender their lives to Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
