Don't Let Them Slip

Therefore we ought to give the more
earnest heed to the things which we
have heard, lest at any time we

should let them slip.
Hebrews 2:1

Most of my elementary school years, I had to walk up a bit of a hill to get to school. During that time, I lived in two different houses and had a hill either way to get to school. These hills weren't the size to be insurmountable. There was a sidewalk, but I can recall something that made for so much fun. Occasionally, in the winter, we would have an ice storm. It was such fun seeing everything outdoors covered and dropping with thick ice. In those days, there were no school cancellations. If you could get there, you went. The fun in the mornings was getting up those ice covered sidewalks. We walked, fell, crawled, fell, and really tried to walk as much as we could on the ice-covered concrete. We laughed all the way to school and were wet messes when we arrived in our classrooms. Those slippy-slidey days were such fun but for some folks, slipping isn't fun at all.

One of the greatest health risks to senior citizens in our country today is the problem of slipping and falling. Despite removing as many obstacles as possible, there are floors, showers, bath tubs and wet surfaces that cause slipping accidents that can either cause great disability or even death. Slipping accidents aren't just reserved for senior saints. How many skinned knees of children have we mother's cleaned up and bandaged. I've seen even professional ice skaters take some horrific falls on the ice and they are well acquainted with that surface and the dangers of falling on it.

To the Hebrew Christians, the author gave a spiritual warning that is relevant in our day just as it was then. He expressed a caution for Christians to pay attention to those things we have heard that are related to our faith. That's a huge caution. If we don't take notice, there is a danger and the author addresses that as well. He cautions that we mustn't let those things slip. What things? We have been exposed to a lot of preaching and teaching of the Word of God. We've been to seminars, retreats and have read not only our Bibles, but any number of other articles or books related to our faith. Let me ask us, “How much has stuck?” From all of the information regarding our faith, what do we actually retain and apply to our lives. You see, if there is nothing that has stayed with us, then there's nothing to let slip and that would be a tragedy.

What do we mean by the word “slip?” It may seem obvious in some ways but not in others. A combination of dictionaries have said things like:

loosing one's balance or footing
when footing is lost
a minor or careless mistake (“Slip of the tongue”)

The first three definitions have to do with one's footing. If we are to avoid slippage spiritually, we have to know where we stand. We often sing in church “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” If we are firmly standing on Jesus Christ and His Word, there will be no slippage. Spiritual slippage will never be God's fault. It will be of our own doing because we let it happen.

With our fourth definition, I'm not sure there is such a thing with sin that is a minor or careless mistake, but this will be the area where we really slip up. The retaining of God's input into our lives is our best defense against slipping (sinning.)

If we don't take heed the warnings regarding slipping away from the things of God, what can be some of the results? When I tried to get up that small icy hill on my way to school, usually walked 3 steps and would often fall and slide back 5 steps. Sin will do that to us as well. Our author of Hebrews also cautioned that at anytime, we could let the things of God slip. When we least expect it, we can slip on that icy hill. We mustn't be so prideful that we feel we can never fall. It can and does happen to any of us. We are to be cautious and careful because Satan doesn't play fair and we who love the Lord are all in his sights.

An icy heart can cause us to slip spiritually. May you and I stay warm toward the things of God. Hopefully we will stay so close to Jesus that not even a layer of sinful frost will be able to coat our hearts. We need desperately to stay armed and ready to defend the faith that is so precious to us.

In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us a list of the armor of God that is provided for us in fending off the wiles of the Devil. Different pieces of that armor are described in verses 14-17. Paul had been around Roman soldiers more than he cared to be and knew what their armor looked like. The feet of a soldier was important. They wore good sandals with special fittings on the bottom that kept them secure no matter the ground or rocks they had to walk or run across. Paul spoke of our feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. “This signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart to adhere to the gospel, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion.” ---Matthew Henry The feet of a soldier were important as was good footing. The same is true of us if we are to stand firm in our faith.

On those icy days, my Mother made me wear heavy, warm clothing and galoshes. Galoshes were of rubber to keep young feet warmer, water proofed and help with gripping icy sidewalks on the way to school. Our Heavenly Father has provided us with spiritual clothing (armor), His Word and a close spiritual family relationship to keep us safe, warm and solid ground for standing on where slipping can be avoided.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,
that my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:36

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my
footsteps slip not.
Psalm 17:5

AMEN and AMEN