What the Bible says about Hebrews as Apathetic
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Hebrews 1:1-4 The first chapter of Hebrews lays the foundation for the theme that will run through the entire book. The author begins with the truth that Christ is superior to angels. He wants his readers to focus on the message, which is important, not only because it is thrilling and of weighty content, but also because of its Source. In times past, the message came through agents or intermediaries—either angels or prophets were sent. This message, however, came right from the top—through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is greater than or superior to any angel or prophet. All of those who came before Jesus Christ are "inferiors." Thus, when God sent His message through His Son, it was introduced by the very highest Source that it could possibly come from. The author intends us to understand that this message requires us to give it the highest priority of our lives. Nothing supersedes the message that came through the Son of God. No one can present a message anywhere near as great. The message that Moses gave was, of course, right and true and powerful, but it cannot even be compared to the message that came through the Son of God. That is the theme! Christ and what He has to give us—be it words, His ministrations as High Priest, His efficacious death, His covenant, etc.—are far superior to everything else. Absolutely nothing in life can compare. He has given us the most awesome gifts that any human being could possibly be given. This is how the author begins his treatise—as if firing a cannon to get our attention! How dare we be apathetic toward this message! That is what he implies. Do we not realize where the gospel came from? It came from the One for whom all things were created and by whom all things were created. He created Adam and gave him the breath of life—and He right now sustains us with His power! Yet the world and the pressures that it puts on us have a way of turning our attention toward other things, do they not? Unfortunately, we give into them so often, so easily. John W. Ritenbaugh Hebrews: A Message for Today Related Topics: Apathy | Apathy, Caution against | Christ as High Priest | Christ as Superior to Angels | Christ as Superior to Moses | Christ Superior to Angels | Christ Superior to Moses | Hebrews as Apathetic | Jesus Christ as High Priest | Spiritual Apathy

Hebrews 4:1-2 The Israelites would not use their faith; they would not step out. They held back because the bottom line was that they did not really believe it. Do we believe what we are hearing from the Word of God? If we do not believe it, we will do nothing. We only do what we believe. Everybody in the world operates by this principle—they do what they believe! But do they believe God? No. We are in God's church because we believe, and because we believe in the right way, we obey God. In Hebrews 3, Paul equates "belief" and "obedience." It makes for an interesting study. Despite being significantly different, the effect of one should be the product of the other. This is why one can find words like "belief" or "unbelief" in Scripture, and see in the margin that "obedience" or "disobedience" can be an alternate translation. The words can be taken either way. We do what we believe.The real problem is becoming apparent. The reason the Hebrews were apathetic—the reason they were neglecting their spiritual priorities—was because their belief system had undergone a serious change since the time that they had first heard. When Satan wants to divide or destroy a church, he often does so through inspiring changes in the doctrines. When the doctrines change, the belief system changes accordingly. And when the belief system changes, those who believe the same basic way will flock together, and those who believe a different way will coalesce into another group. When a belief changes, a change in conduct must follow. This is what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness. They did not believe God, and they failed. They all died. That whole first generation died as a result of their disbelief. John W. Ritenbaugh Hebrews: A Message for Today Related Topics: Apathy | Believing | Believing and Doing | Disbelief | Disbelief Equates with Lack of Faith | Disobedience | Drifting Spiritually | Faithlessness | Hebrews as Apathetic | Hebrews as Lethargic | Lethargy | Neglecting Spiritual Priorities | Obedience | Spiritual Apathy | Spiritual Lethargy | Spiritual Priorities | Word of God

Hebrews 10:33-35 In the past these people had been deeply convicted, but because they were not doing the things necessary for maintaining and building a relationship with God, they lost what they had. Part of the reason Hebrews is in the Bible is to remind Christians what can happen to someone who does not maintain his part of the relationship. John W. Ritenbaugh Conviction and Moses Related Topics: Conviction | Conviction, Without | Hebrews as Apathetic | Hebrews as Lethargic | Hebrews, Book of | Relationship with God | Without Conviction

Hebrews 12:7 God Himself is educating His children. The people to whom Hebrews was written had a history of making light of His working with them, and the result was that they neglected it. John W. Ritenbaugh What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two) Related Topics: Drifting Spiritually | God as Educator | God as Parent | Hebrews as Apathetic | Hebrews as Lethargic | Hebrews, Book of | Neglect

 

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