Be Strengthened by Grace!

"Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."

Hebrews 13:9

*The author of Hebrews tells us that our strength is to come directly from grace. Grace is not weak; it does not require help from "foods". Obviously, some within the intended audience of this letter were seeking spiritual strength from various dietary regulations, wrongly thinking that the grace of the gospel was insufficient. While we may not be attempting to draw our strength from our diets, we can plug in a thousand other things for "foods" that are still crazy efforts to empower the grace of the gospel. Grace will do fine on its own. Grace doesn't need our help.

*The author tells us not to be fooled by diverse and strange teachings. This is why we must never compromise the essence of the gospel. There are certainly many issues where we can politely agree to disagree. Baptism. Gifts of the Spirit. Church government. But the message of the gospel? No! When we adhere to diversity leading to the gospel, we err. And tragically so. Diversity may come from the gospel, but diversity doesn't lead to the gospel. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." Read this entire chapter of Hebrews. Everything is connected to the certainty of Christ, that His sacrifice is truly sufficient for the sinner's salvation. Our hearts are to be strengthened by His grace alone. Don't be fooled by another teaching or opinion. His grace is indeed sufficient.

*The need to be strengthened implies that we are prone to weakness. Every person needs the strength of the grace of the gospel. Don't think you don't. In times of waining strength, look to Jesus. He understands our lives and promises to be our helper. It's not a weakness to admit you are weak. It is a weakness to hide that you are.