“1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.” -Hebrews 11:1-2 People talk about faith a lot, yet few understand how to define it. Faith needs clarity for us to live it. The writer of Hebrews knew this and provided ample illustrations in a chapter often called “The Hall of Faith.” But before the writer describes how faith looks, he defines what... Read more
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” -Hebrews 11:22 Drawing near to God does not happen automatically. It takes effort. The author of Hebrews mentions two traits important in this pursuit. First, drawing near to God requires a sincere heart. We can’t fake closeness with God. It must be real. Second, we draw near to God with what is called “full assurance.” This is a bold confidence that God... Read more
“27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” -Hebrews 9:27-28 Reincarnation has become increasingly cool in Western culture. Hindus dig it. Buddhists embrace it. Wiccans promote it. Even some Christians agree that coming back to try again sounds... Read more
“I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” -Hebrews 8:10-12 If God is perfect, he can’t forget, can he?... Read more
“26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which... Read more
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” -Hebrews 6:10 God never forgets. And that’s a good thing. For those who love and serve him, remember he sees every effort you make. From a friendly smile to a stranger to the time you helped the person locked out of her car, God sees it and remembers it. What I appreciate... Read more
“11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food... Read more
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12 God’s Word is not only inspired–it is alive! If it is truly the word of God, then it is an extension of him for our benefit. Reading or hearing Scripture is hearing directly from God. As a result, it pierces our souls, probing into... Read more
“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.” -Hebrews 3:1 Believers in Christ are to have their minds focused on Christ. Unlike Eastern religions that teach us to empty ourselves, Christians have a clear focus–Jesus Christ. This life is not an illusion, but rather incomplete. We live this life knowing that eternal life is but a heartbeat away. Further, Hebrews 3:1 teaches that... Read more
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” -Hebrew 2:18 Everyone struggles with temptation. The particular area will vary, but the struggle to resist sin is universal. Hebrews 2:18 offers readers a word of comfort for times when temptation seems too difficult to overcome. The teaching is that because Jesus endured temptation, he knows how to help us in our temptations. Of course, as God, he is perfect and would... Read more
Holy Writ
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