Do not reject the one who speaks

Heb 12:25

We have come to the fifth and final warning in the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb 12:14-29). Its core verse is: See that you do not reject the one who speaks (Heb 12:25).

Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, the 117th Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, shared his reflections on the Five Warnings in the Letter to the Hebrews.

On the first warning against drifting away (Heb 2:1-4), he said: We do not usually plummet into deep sin suddenly; rather, we drift away gradually through lukewarmness and pure neglect, like a boat losing its anchor. Without daily prayer and attention to God’s word, we will silently float into hostile waters.

On the second warning against an unbelieving heart (Heb 3:7–4:13), drawing on the biblical imagery of Israel in the wilderness, he said: Escaping Egypt does not guarantee entering the Promised Land if our heart becomes stubborn. Hearing God’s voice demands immediate obedience. Delaying repentance hardens our heart, rendering it impervious to the grace of the Holy Spirit.

On the third warning against spiritual immaturity (Heb 5:11–6:20), he emphasized: We who have “tasted the heavenly gift” can fall away if we become spiritually stagnant. If we refuse to grow from the “milk” of basic teachings to the “solid food” of deep sacramental life, we will remain highly vulnerable to spiritual collapse.

On the fourth warning against willful sin (Heb 10:26–39), he carefully distinguished between a sin of weakness—which is met with God’s immediate forgiveness upon confession—and willful, persistent sin that insults the Spirit of grace. He emphasized: It is not that God’s mercy runs out, but rather that our persistent, deliberate sin completely destroys our own capacity to receive and accept absolution.

On the fifth warning against rejecting God (Heb 12:14–29), focusing on the example of Esau, who traded his birthright for a single meal, Pope Shenouda warned: Do not exchange eternal salvation for temporary earthly pleasures. Since “our God is a consuming fire”, we must urgently pursue holiness and approach the liturgy and Holy Communion with immense reverence and awe.

The overall message of the five warning passages in the Letter to the Hebrews is an urgent call to perseverance, asking us never to drift from, neglect, or abandon Jesus Christ, who is supreme overall. Jesus is superior to angels, prophets, and the old Mosaic system. Turning away from him means turning away from the final and only true source of salvation. Spiritual danger often begins subtly through our passive neglect or apathy rather than sudden rebellion. True and living faith does not quit when our life becomes difficult. On the contrary, our faith and hope must continue steadfastly until the end.

Jean is now 80, and next month I will turn 81. We have already traversed far more years than those that remain ahead of us, and our earthly pilgrimage draws gently to its close. It is in this quiet twilight that we must ask ourselves the most profound questions: “Have we bartered the eternal joy of heaven for the fleeting pleasures of this earth? Have we ever closed our hearts to the voice of God speaking to us from above? As we enter our final decade, are we truly aware of the sacred reality that this is the one and only life we have been given to live?”

As we ask these questions, we remember the life of Charles Thomas Studd (1860–1931), a British cricket star who abandoned his athletic fame, wealth, and aristocratic privilege to spend the rest of his life as a Christian missionary. He and six other students from Cambridge University decided to become missionaries. They traveled to China in 1885 to share the Christian gospel. After China, he served as a missionary in India. Later in life, he traveled to Africa and started a global mission group. He died at his mission station in Congo after suffering for years from constant pain, extreme exhaustion, and repeated bouts of malaria. He famously authored the poem “Only One Life, ‘Twill Soon Be Past”, which we would like to share with you.

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice;

Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its days I must fulfill, Living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh, let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;

And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Thus, we must not reject the one who speaks.