Testifying To The Gospel

A couple evenings ago, I was reading from Hebrews 2:1-4 NIV:

[1] "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [2] For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] 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. [4] God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

I specifically was drawn to the first and fourth verses. The author of Hebrews is talking about the basic Gospel message here, the gift of salvation available to us through Jesus Christ. He says that we must pay careful attention to what we have heard so that we don't drift away. I think this is so important for us all. We can get caught up in the newest teaching, different ideas or streams, or so many other things, and actually lose sight of the message of the Gospel of grace and salvation. (For a good summary see Eph 2:1-10). Let us examine our lives and see if we are paying careful attention to the truth of the Gospel. Is this what we believe, is this what we share, is this truth the foundation of our thinking about ourselves and others?

In the fourth verse, the author describes how God testified to the truth and reality of this message of salvation through signs, wonders, various miracles and gifts from the Holy Spirit. The message of the Gospel is meant be accompanied by works of the power of God manifested through His church. How else are we to know the Truth? There are many different theories and teaching about how to find fulfillment, self awareness, enlightenment, etc. The difference between all these and the Gospel is meant to visible to all through the signs and wonders and miracles. Self improvement can be a good thing. Positive thinking and self fulfillment teachings can have some benefits. However, in terms of both our eternal life and ability to deal with the underlying spiritual realities these all have no answer. It is only through Christ Jesus that we have access to eternal life (1 John 5:11-12) . It is only through Christ Jesus that the power of satan is defeated and broken for He has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18). It is through the demonstration of these realities, and the love of God for all, that people will recognize the truth of the gospel.

I was listening to one of my favorite pastors and teachers recently and he said something to like this - I am unwilling to settle for a Gospel that does not include healing, miracles, signs and wonders. If this was how God testified to the truth of the Gospel in the past, why would we expect or settle for anything else in our day? Lord, we pray that You will continue to testify to the Truth of Your gospel in our day, just as You did during the early days of the church.

Amen Lord!