Sermon Snippet – Hold Fast to the Right
INTRODUCTION – Last week, we studied sturdy and stable steadfastness: it is a relatively rare quality, is a necessity because life is hard, and is exemplified in God the Son, Jesus Christ. Today, let us further consider this topic. We have all heard the Latin expression Carpe diem – “Seize the day.” That is a fine endeavor, but the Christian has a better one: Carpe deum – “Seize God.” We have the privilege of holding fast to our Savior God.
1. WE CAN SEIZE THE WRONG THINGS
We are always capable of making the wrong choice. In Jeremiah 8:5, God speaks to the people of Israel: “Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.” When we deceive, we are deceiving ourselves, perhaps others, but never God. We studied Hebrews 3:13-14 last week, which presents two possibilities: “the deceitfulness of sin” or the holding “of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” Revelation 2:14-15 warns those who “hold” false doctrine, which often manifests itself in greed and financial improprieties (“the doctrine of Balaam”). The end of these wrong things is deeply disturbing: instead of holding tightly to Jesus for His salvation, we can end up like Judas Iscariot. Matthew 26:48 sadly states, “Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, ‘Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast.’” Even a kiss can kill.
2. WE SHOULD SEIZE THE RIGHT THINGS
Repentance is a better option (Revelation 3:3). An old Gospel song is entitled “Hold Fast to the Right”; to do so, we must let go of the wrong. Then, we can clasp the right things (I Thessalonians 5:21). The “good” all too easily slips from our grasp. We need to hold firmly to God’s Word (II Thessalonians 2:15 – “traditions” means Biblical teaching; Titus 1:9; II Timothy 1:13). By seizing the Bible, we are holding hard onto “faith and love”; yes, without the Word of God, we cannot love as we should. The writer of Hebrews exhorts Christians to “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope unto the end” (3:6). Certainty, joy, hope – these are great good things available to us! We have compelling reasons to “hold fast our profession” of faith (4:14) and to have that “profession of our faith” lead to other good things (10:23-25).
3. REALLY, WE MUST SEIZE THE SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
Revelation 2:13 commends those who “holdest fast” to the “name” of Jesus. His “name” means His nature, His impeccable character. Psalm 111:7-8 reminds us that both His “works” and words (“commandments”) are revelatory of His trustworthiness. Psalm 89:28 is extremely specific, pointing to the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant: “My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and My covenant shall stand fast with him.” Only God the Son, Who is eternal, could be the full fulfillment of this prophecy. We can be sure that He will keep all of His promises.
CONCLUSION – Our confidence in Christ is not misplaced. In Revelation 2:25, Jesus enjoins us, “That which ye have already hold fast till I come.” May each of us trust in Jesus for His salvation, and may we hold fast to Him. When we do, we will find that He is the One holding us securely, for “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). He will never let us go – and He is coming back for us.