Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Opening Scripture

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:6-10

Opening Prayer

Most Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry, and I humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me, that I may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen

Daily Bible Reading

Hebrews 2:1-4

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Reflection  

The book of Hebrews is indeed full of doctrinal truth, biblical history, and practical teaching. As such, each of these aspects must help inform and clarify the others. A purely dogmatic or theological approach misses the rich expression of God’s truth in daily life. A purely practical or relational approach misses the profound historical references of Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. What does it mean that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek?

Of course, the book of Hebrews can be viewed as a sermon or “a word of exhortation” (13:22). The author, as “preacher,” presents a compelling and well-constructed message about the supremacy of Jesus, the nature of salvation, and the realities of Christian living. The vocabulary of Hebrews is more classic, cultured, and elevated than the common language of the marketplace, so it carries a certain “weight” to it.

In today’s passage, the writer continues to contrast the “old” and the “new.” God’s previous imperfect covenant has been fulfilled and surpassed by His new perfect covenant. This touches on both of the author’s major themes: the supremacy of Jesus and the danger of apostasy.

Though the writer of Hebrews was not physically present with Jesus during his earthly ministry, he had received detailed instruction and trustworthy testimony from those who had been with Jesus. The meaning and message of Jesus’ life and ministry were not only confirmed by His disciples and eyewitnesses, they were also confirmed by numerous manifestations of the Holy Spirit (signs, wonders, miracles, gifts).

Throughout his letter, the author issues five stern warnings about apostasy. Today’s passage contains the shortest and most restrained of them. Since the Son is supreme, the source of salvation, and destined for triumph over His enemies, “we must pay the most careful attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away.” He will offer much harsher warnings about this in the coming chapters.

“How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”

As we mentioned yesterday, the word “salvation” (sōtēria) throughout the book of Hebrews expands on our modern sense of personal “salvation” or individual spiritual “regeneration” to include the Hebraic sense of the collective “salvation” of God delivering His people from the oppression of their enemies and the community’s shared enjoyment of His blessing. King Jesus will reign forever, and His loyal subjects will “inherit salvation” together.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

The Greek word translated “drift away” in today’s passage (pararreó) is used only here in the New Testament. It means to flow by or carelessly pass. The image is of a boat whose mooring has slipped and is carried away by the strong current. The writer uses this nautical illustration to warn believers that, without intentional effort, they will slowly and silently drift away from the secure anchorage of the gospel.

As we have often observed, no one drifts toward spiritual maturity! Our default setting is to drift away from God. It is only through consistent effort, daily discipline, and proper life orientation that we mature as followers of Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews realizes that most people “drift away” from “so great a salvation” simply through apathy and neglect. Their “salvation” is not a priority. They are too busy to be bothered. They will get around to taking God seriously “later.”

In today’s Opening Scripture, the Apostle Paul was worried that the Colossian Christians would fall prey to false teaching. The heresies of his day were of human origin and were based on “the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Paul warned his listeners to resist being “taken captive” by empty and deceitful philosophy.

Using the same nautical imagery of an unmoored boat, Paul warned the Ephesian Christians about being “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

In our world, social media has birthed a new wave of celebrities: “influencers.” With millions of followers hanging on their every post, influencers have become a driving force in shaping consumer behavior, societal norms, and online interactions. The demographics, motivations, and messages of these influencers run the gamut. While many influencers operate independently, others have become a crucial part of various marketing strategies.

It is safe to say that, in the multibillion-dollar influencer industry, there are plenty of “bad actors” promoting empty and deceitful philosophies. As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to “continue to live our lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Regardless of our level of social media interaction, we all have “influencers” in our lives. We are all listening to someone. Each of us is constantly deciding – consciously or unconsciously – to whom we pay attention.

Who is influencing your attitudes and actions? Who is shaping your worldview?

Are they strengthening your devotion to Jesus, or undermining your love for Him?

Hopefully, these daily devotionals are part of your intentional commitment to being “strengthened in the faith.” The writer of Hebrews will tell us later, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).

In Chapter 10 of Hebrews, we will receive a full dose of encouragement from the writer to: draw near to God, hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds, not give up meeting together, and encourage one another. May it be so!

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!