September 9 – Training in new life

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1 

Scripture reading: Romans 7:19-23

So much of life is habit and routine. You brush your teeth at set times. You have a laundry, cleaning or chores day. Interestingly, sin is a habit and routine for those who are in its thrall. Those early steps of trying out sin, experimenting with evil, soon give way to being drawn to sin. I need it. Heeding it. Perpetuating it. The wages of sin is death.

When a Christian is set free from sin and becomes a slave to God, he has a new master. Paul points the Romans to their new master: Jesus. Here’s a great example. Those who were formerly alcoholics and now desire to live as a sober person will often have a sponsor. The sponsor will guide that person in a new way; that’s what a Christian mentor does. When facing temptation, how does one pray? Desiring to grow, how does one read the Bible? How can a Christian be fruitful in a life that leads to sanctification, a life that grows in holiness and conformity to God’s will?

In Hebrews 2 Paul gives an urgent warning not to drift away from what we have heard and been taught as followers of Jesus Christ. The devil is a subtle master at luring people away from their commitment to Jesus. It is often small compromises and insignificant seeming sins that will drag a Christian down. A wise mentor, who knows the frailty of the human hearts, the wiles of sin, and the greater grace of God, will be most helpful at that precise moment.

Suggestions for prayer

That God will show you your old patterns of sin, that still cling to you like burrs; For the Holy Spirit to renew your desire to walk in holiness.

Rev. Richard T. Vander Vaart and his wife Carolyn are now in their seventh year living in Moncton, NB. with Redemption Prison Ministry as a pastor in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com