Hebrews 13:7-10 (NIVUK)
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
I have a weakness for new board games. It doesn’t take much for me to be distracted from my current favourite by the shiny, new game on the block. Of course, when that arrives, there’s always another that turns up and says no, play me instead! It’s not just games though is it, the grass, as they say, is always greener on the other side. We can be like this with faith as well, easily distracted by new or exotic ideas that sound fun or promise much. Hebrews warns that new or different isn’t better, and encourages us to be faithful, and not lose sight of Christ and the news of his salvation for the world. This is not just good, or better, but as David reminded us before, Jesus is always the best.
Father, help us by your Spirit to tread that fine line between being open to a deeper and richer understanding of our faith, and being distracted from it by teachings that are not of you.
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