Last week I brought out the idea that we are to be culture
changing not culture adopting, this week as I've been studying Hebrews 10 a
single word really jumped out at me. That word is ἀκλινής. Now if you were to open your Bible and read
Hebrews 10 you are most likely not going to see this word right away, in fact
unless you are reading from a Greek word study or from a good study Bible you
probably wouldn't see this word at all but it is there I assure you.
It is
transliterated aklinés and is pronounced ak-lee-nace'. This is the Greek
word for unbending or without waver. You find this concept in Hebrews
10:23 when the writer says “Let us
hold on to the confession of our hope without
wavering…”
This is such a good description of where the church needs to
be today. Too often we become like politicians who find the right word to say
to each person who lends an ear. Our goal to help people to feel better about
themselves, to feel like they matter in this crazy messed up world…
But is that what we are really called to do? I believe that
we are called to be aklinés in our dedication to the Gospel. That we are to be
unbending, unyielding, unwavering in our commitment to our Lord and Savior. If
that means that some become offended by the Gospel and reject us as friends or
family so be it. Are they really rejecting us or are they rejecting Jesus? (Read:
John 15:18-25)
If we capitulate and present a watered down gospel for fear of
driving someone away from the cross are we really any better than the Jewish
leaders who hung Jesus on the cross?
Our responsibility is to sow seed and or water that seed, it
is the Holy Spirit who causes that seed to grow, produce fruit, and be
harvested accordingly.
We must not bend in the winds of the culture today, we must
not waver on our commitment to Christ, and we must not yield to the undercurrents
trying to separate us from the love of our Savior whatever the cost may be.
Church will you stand with me aklinés before the world?