Don't Turn Back: The High-Stakes Climb of Faith
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 28
- 9 min read
Hebrews Chapter 13, verses 8 and 9..
The Main Message: Because Jesus never changes, we can find stability and strength in his grace, rather than in a constantly changing set of rules or ideas.
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Welcome to YourJesusJourney.com! We're so glad you're here. Have you ever seen a documentary or a photo of people climbing Mount Everest? It's a huge mountain, and at the lower levels, climbers can often hike on their own, following the trail and maybe a friend or two. But as they get higher, the path gets more dangerous and the conditions become life-threatening. In these high-risk areas, the climbers don't just follow anyone; they literally get roped together, connected to a professional guide who has summited before and knows the way to the top. Their very lives depend on staying connected to that experienced guide.
That's a powerful picture for our faith journey. When we're on the "easier" parts of life's path, it's easy to just follow what everyone else is doing or listen to a bunch of different ideas. But when we get into the more dangerous, confusing, and difficult areas, our lives depend on being securely connected to our ultimate guide, Jesus. This passage in Hebrews is all about why we can trust him as our guide, because he is the one who never changes and never leads us astray. As we dig into Hebrews chapter 13, verses 8 and 9, we’ll discover why knowing that Jesus doesn't change is the most important foundation for our faith.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 13, verses 8 and 9 in a couple of different translations.
Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Watching a documentary like 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible isn't just a way to be entertained; it can also be a powerful tool to help us think about our faith. The story of Nimsdai Purja's incredible feat of climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in just over six months is a story of incredible commitment. We see that once he and his team were on a mountain, giving up was not an option. Retreating, especially at higher altitudes, could be more dangerous than pushing forward. This "no turning back" mindset is what allowed them to succeed and is a powerful lesson for us.
In the book of Hebrews, the author is telling Christians the same thing. They are at a high-altitude, dangerous point in their faith journey, and turning back to their old way of life is more perilous than pressing on with Jesus. Following Jesus requires a serious, all-in commitment. It's not a casual pursuit or a half-hearted effort. The Christian life, particularly in times of struggle and pressure, demands a resolve that says, "I've started this journey, and there is no turning back."
Just as the human spirit is stirred by Nims's courage and stamina, our faith can be stirred by these amazing examples of human triumph. They remind us of the strength and resolve we are capable of and can inspire us to pursue our spiritual journey with the same seriousness and determination. By watching stories like 14 Peaks, we can be challenged to consider our own commitment to Jesus and to follow him closer and more seriously than ever before.
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Setting the Scene: Why This Matters
The book of Hebrews was written to a specific group of early Christians who were facing a crisis of faith. Many of them were Jewish by birth and had converted to follow Jesus. Now, they were facing intense persecution for their new beliefs. They were being ridiculed and losing their social standing and property. For some, it might have seemed easier to just go back to their old religion, which was a well-respected and established way of life. The familiarity of their traditions, the temple worship, and the community it provided felt like a safe harbor compared to the storm they were enduring as Christians.
The author of Hebrews writes to convince them that turning back would be a tragic mistake. He explains that Jesus isn't just a new prophet or another great teacher; he's the fulfillment of everything their old religion pointed to. The author argues that Jesus is far superior to the angels, Moses, and the high priests of the past. The old religion with its animal sacrifices and rituals was a temporary way for people to connect with God, like a shadow of the real thing. But Jesus is the substance, the ultimate and final high priest and sacrifice. His death on the cross completed everything, making the old system unnecessary.
The "strange teachings" mentioned in Hebrews chapter 13, verse 9, were a huge part of this problem. These weren't new, exotic ideas from foreign lands. Instead, they were likely a push to return to the old rules, particularly those concerning dietary laws. Some false teachers were probably telling the Christians that they couldn't be "complete" in their faith with Jesus alone. They were being told they needed to add these extra rules—like what foods they could and couldn't eat—to prove their piety and secure God's favor.
This is a timeless human struggle. We can see it today in how people often take something good, like a healthy diet or a rigorous fitness routine, and turn it into a rigid, works-based system. They follow it not just for health, but to feel good enough or to prove their worth to themselves and others. The author of Hebrews warns that this kind of thinking is a trap. It promises a sense of control and self-righteousness but ultimately leaves you exhausted and empty.
The author makes it clear that a person's heart is "strengthened by grace," not by these kinds of rules. Grace is a central idea in the Bible. It's God's undeserved kindness and favor toward us. It's a gift we could never earn, no matter how many rules we follow. The Greek word for "strengthened" means to be made firm, stable, or unshakeable.
The author is saying that our faith becomes rock-solid and stable not by following a list of rules, but by accepting the free gift of grace that God gives us through Jesus. It's in this grace that we find our true security.
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Questions for you to chew on & discuss
The Bible says in Psalm chapter 102, verses 25-27, "Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end." How does this verse, which describes God, help you understand what the author of Hebrews means when he says Jesus is "the same yesterday and today and forever"?
What are some "strange teachings" or ideas in our world today that might lead people away from the simple message of Jesus and his grace?
The author says our hearts are "strengthened by grace, not by foods." What are some modern-day "foods" or rules that we might mistakenly believe will make us better Christians or prove our worth to God?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Think about a time when you felt like you had to follow a bunch of rules to be a good person, and it left you feeling tired or empty. What happened? How did focusing on God's grace help you feel more secure and at peace?
Applying This Today
The principles of the Christian faith, as seen in the book of Hebrews, aren't just for a different time and place. They can be applied to our lives today, helping us navigate a complex and changing world. Here are a few ways to put these truths into practice.
Facing Social Pressure: Imagine you're at work, and a coworker invites you to an event that you know goes against your Christian values. You feel pressure to go along to fit in or not seem "weird." This is a moment to remember that your ultimate guide is Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Your commitment is to him, not to a fleeting social trend. The resolve to say "no" might feel difficult, but it's an act of staying true to your unchanging guide.
Combating Religious Legalism: You might be part of a group that adds extra rules to the Christian faith—for example, a dress code, a list of forbidden movies, or a specific way to pray. While some of these things might not be bad in and of themselves, a legalistic mindset turns them into a measure of your worthiness. When you feel the pressure to follow these rules to prove your faith, remember that your heart is "strengthened by grace, not by foods." Your worth is found in Christ's finished work, not in your ability to check all the boxes.
Enduring a Personal Crisis: You might be going through a difficult time—a job loss, a broken relationship, or a health scare. In these moments, it's easy to lose hope and feel like giving up. This is your "high-altitude" moment. The principle from Hebrews 13 is your anchor. Your faith isn't based on your changing circumstances; it's based on the unchanging Jesus. You can hold on to the truth that his love, his promises, and his character are the same in the middle of your crisis as they were on the best day of your life. The commitment to press on, even when it's hard, is an act of faith in the ultimate guide who will not fail you.
Join a Journey Group
We're all on a journey, and this path can be dangerous to walk alone. The Christian life isn't meant to be a solo climb. We need to be roped in with others, connected to a team who will support us and keep us accountable as we follow the ultimate guide. A journey group provides that team. It's a safe place to talk through these questions and to grow in grace with others. If you're tired of trying to climb on your own, it's time to get roped in.
Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about joining a group, starting one, or just to get connected. We hope to see you there!
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