The Attributes of Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  [2] For by it the people of old received their commendation.  [3] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

The Hebrew Christians, as has been noted before, were tempted to go back to their former ways and practices of Judaism.  One reason surfaces in this text of Scripture.  Judaism was a religion to behold.  The sights, sounds, and smells were breathtaking.  Can you imagine the amazement of the worshipper when he entered the temple and saw the shine of gold and silver?  It would be astounding to see the size of such a place with every flicker of the candles being reflected a hundred times.  Can you imagine the singing and the blasting of the shofar or the smell of the incense rising up and filling the room?  All this majesty was almost more than one could take in.

Christianity on the other hand does not have such breathtaking scenes.  As far as images go, it really has none, at least none that we can see now.  I’ve never once seen the Lord Jesus Christ.  I’ve not been allowed into heaven like John was.

The Old Testament worshipper was hindered in the fact that he often began to worship what he saw and not the God it was to represent.  In many ways we are much better off.  They worshipped by sight, we worship what we can’t see.  We’re not distracted by visual images.  We worship the Lord by faith. Continue Reading

Persevering by Faith

Hebrews 10:26-39 (ESV)

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,  [27] but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.  [28] Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.  [29] How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?  [30] For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”  [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

[32] But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,  [33] sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.  [34] For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.  [35] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  [36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

[37] For, “Yet a little while,  and the coming one will come and will not delay;

[38] but my righteous one shall live by faith,

and if he shrinks back,

my soul has no pleasure in him.”

[39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

What would need to happen for you to renounce Christianity and turn your back on Jesus Christ?  What if our government passed a law that said Christians could not own businesses and you are a Christian business man or woman.  Would you trade in Jesus for your business?  What if they passed a law that said Christians must promise loyalty to the president and worship him?  What if they told you that all you had to do was bow down and worship Obama and you could continue your life as usual.  What if they said you could still worship Jesus but they want you to also worship this political leader or king?

The early Christians suffered at the hands of Jews and Rome.  Many had everything taken from them and many even had their lives taken.  What would you do? Continue Reading

Affected by Truth

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

As humans, we have the need to live based on truth not on feelings, emotion, or even opinions.

Like most epistles found in the Bible, Hebrews begins with doctrinal teaching.  Doctrine is vitally important.  Doctrine is like spiritual oxygen, without it we will die.

We live in a day where everyone’s opinion is held to be as valid as anyone else’s.  One person’s fabrication of God is just as good as the next person’s.  We also live in a day where these ideas can be and, in fact, are extremely destructive.

Recently, in a discussion about God, I heard someone say, I just can’t think of God that way.  She meant that what the Bible revealed about God didn’t line up with an idea she had had for years about God and rather than know the God revealed in Scripture, she’d rather worship the idol she imagines in her mind.  There is no salvation in a make believe God.  The true God is offended when we worship a false god.  We must get it right.

We live in a day where people really don’t like doctrine.  It’s too wearisome in a fast paced world to slow down and consider and study truth.  Sometimes doctrine is tedious and sometimes difficult.  It is always vitally important. Continue Reading

The Forgiveness of Sin

Hebrews 10:1-18 (ESV)

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.  [2] Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sin?  [3] But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year.  [4] For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

[5] Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body have you prepared for me;

[6] in burnt offerings and sin offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

[7] Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,

as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ “

[8] When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),  [9] then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.  [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[11] And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  [12] But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,  [13] waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.  [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

[15] And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

“This is the covenant that I will make with them

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws on their hearts,

and write them on their minds,”

[17] then he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

[18] Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

The author is wrapping up his reasons that Jesus and His priestly work exceed that of the Old Testament priest.  From chapter 4:14-10:18 he doesn’t hardly stop to catch his breath.

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV)

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Along the way, he mentions three different times that perfection is needed by those who would worship God and that this perfection can only be acquired through Jesus Christ.  Perfection cannot be acquired through the Old Testament Mosaic system.  It cannot be acquired through any other religion. Continue Reading