Hebrews 8-10 Following in Faith, Hope, and Love

TMS 1John 2:15-16 Your Three Temptations

1Jn 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world -

-- the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life

--- is not of the Father but is of the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;

but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Observations: 2:15-16 God made us with desires for power (security/significance), pleasure, and possessions, and has a plan to fulfill those desires, according to His will. Satan also has a will for our lives, which is to take a temporal short-cut to fulfilling our desires, rather than doing God's will to get them. Adam and Eve took the bait, and chomped down on the temporal and fatal short-cut (see comments on Genesis 3). Jesus refused to follow Satan's will for His life to take the easy way to what the Father wanted for Him (see His temptations and comments in Mt 4). John tells us not to love all the stuff in Satan's world: the lust of the flesh (pleasure), the lust of the eyes (possessions), and the pride of life (power, success/safety). If anyone loves those things, they can't love God (Js 4:4). The double-edged key to not loving the things of the world is to love or be loyal to God, and to see the things of the world as they really are (Proverbs is great for teaching this). Once we've unmasked the deceitfulness of Satan's temptations, and considered the consequences of indulging in them, they're not so appealing. Once we've set our affections on things above (Col 3), and experienced the delights of abiding in Christ (Jn 15) the world is downright unappealing. The one who does God's will rather than Satan's abides forever, getting both temporal and eternal benefit. The worldling loses both eternally, and temporally (eventually).

Application: Work on purifying your desires, and don't develop an appetite for things that aren't eternally good for you.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for loving me; may I loyally love You, and delight in Your presence and will more than any created thing. Amen.

Hebrews 8-10 These chapters continue to make the case for the superiority of Christ, particularly mediating the blessings of the New Covenant which enable believers to have a cleansed conscience by the working of the Holy Spirit in renewing their hearts, so they serve God and do His will. The author summarizes the book in the “hinge” near the end of chapter 10, and then gives another stern warning passage of the punishment that awaits unfaithful believers who succumb to the temptation to go back to the way they were. However, he is expectant that his readers will press on to perfection and reap the reward God has planned for those who serve Him.

Hebrews 8 New Covenant

8:1 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, "See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain."

6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, he said, "Behold, the days come," says the Lord, "that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn’t continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them," says the Lord.

10 "For this is the covenant that I will make

1. with the house of Israel.
2. After those days," says the Lord;
3. "I will put my laws into their mind,
4. I will also write them on their heart.
5. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
6. 11 They will not teach every man his fellow citizen, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know me, from their least to their greatest.
7. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."

13 In that he says, "A new covenant," he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away.

Observations: 8:1-5 The superiority of what believers in Christ have over what they had in Judaism is further demonstrated by the position of Christ in the heavens where the real tabernacle is, sitting, after completing His work, and mediating a New Covenant. The tabernacle on earth was a mere copy and shadow of the real deal in heaven.

8:6-9 The ministry Christ now has is that of the mediator of a better covenant, which is based upon better promises. The first offered temporary forgiveness and temporary blessings in the land. The second, new and improved, offers permanent forgiveness and permanent blessings in the Messianic Kingdom. It is not like the covenant God made with Israel in the day He took them out of Egypt (Ex 15:26 or Ex 20), which they broke, therefore this is a covenant that will not be forsaken by Israel (and thus is yet future).

8:10-13 Here are some more noteworthy features of the New Covenant

1) It is with the house of Israel (not the church).
2) It is made with Israel after the days when God regathers Israel and resettles them in the land.
3) God will put His laws into their mind, which means God still requires obedience of His people (Isa 59:20-21 indicates that this is a function of the Holy Spirit, after the Redeemer comes to Zion).
4) God will also write His laws on their heart, which means the spot where they make their decisions will have God's values; in Proverbs 3:1-3 and 7:1-3 the wise write God's law on their own heart.
5) He will be their God, and they will be His people, which means they will live in covenantal loyalty with Him, keeping His requirements, and looking only to Him for help and protection.
6) All will know God, probably because of His presence in the Millennial temple, so that there will be no need for teaching.
7) God will be merciful, no longer holding their sins and lawless deeds against them, but will reinstate them as His privileged people.
The fact that a New Covenant was promised showed that the Old Covenant was not permanent and would become obsolete. See comments on Jeremiah 31:31 for a deeper understanding of the New Covenant. New Testament believers receive the blessings of the Holy Spirit, especially in His sanctifying and renewing work, but the New Covenant as promised to Israel in the OT is still future.

Application: If the Holy Spirit has free reign in our life, His law will be on our heart, controlling our actions, so we do God's will.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me know and do Your will, so that the righteous requirements of Your law might be fulfilled in me as I walk according to the guidance and grace of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hebrews 9 Christ's Return to Bring Salvation

9:1 Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lampstand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place. 3 After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Hollies, 4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can’t speak now in detail. 6 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services, 7 but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people.

8 The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing; 9 which is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect; 10 being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. 11 But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it. 17 For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you." 21 Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in the same way with the blood. 22 According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

23 It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, 26 or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 (NIV) 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

Observations: 9:1-7 The author reviews the set up of the sacrificial system, giving details of what was in the ark of the covenant not found in the OT. Exodus 16:32-34 said the manna was to be kept before the Lord and Numbers 17 speaks of Aaron's rod. But the point is that the high priest entered the Holy of Hollies only once every year to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat which sat on top of the Ark/Chest that contained the Covenant. The idea was that God's presence, dwelling in between the Cherubim would look down and see the Law which pointed out the sin of the people, and called for their death was violated. But the mercy seat, between His presence and the law, would be covered over with blood (the word for atone means to cover) thus covering the people's sin, and satisfying God's wrath temporarily until a more permanent solution would come.

9:8-15 A veil stood between God and the people indicating that there was not free access to Him, due to the sins which separated them from Him. The ritual sacrifices were incapable of making the worshiper “perfect” according to the measure of (kata with the accusative) their conscience. “Perfect” was used earlier of completion or bringing to the glorified state (2:10; 5:9; 7:11 -noun, 19) and later (10:1, 14, 11:40; 12:23) which is dependent upon fulfilling, perfecting or bringing to completion God's plan (via living in accord with His will). The conscience, our governing sense of right and wrong, is what guides our actions. The OT sacrificial system, which was a matter of flesh rather than Spirit, was not able to “re-program” our conscience by having the Holy Spirit write God's law on our heart (a condition which the New Covenant changes, as explained in chapter 10). At Christ's death the veil was torn from top to bottom (Mt 27:51), indicating the way was now accessible. As the high priest of the coming good things (among them being the Holy Spirit) He entered once for all into the Holy place after having secured eternal redemption (payment for sin). The blood of animals sanctify or cleanse the flesh, but the blood of Christ goes to the core of the problem, cleansing our conscience from acts that lead to death (NIV or dead works) so that we can serve the living God. If our “governor” of what's right and wrong is programmed by the worldly values, we will choose to do what's wrong, rather than serve God. If our conscience is cleansed by the blood, and rewritten by the Spirit of God with His truth, we will choose to serve God, and wind up getting blessed/glorified.

9:16-22 For this reason of cleaning up and renewing our conscience, Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant (and the work of the Spirit), so that those, who have been redeemed from their transgressions pointed out by the Law, may receive the promise of inheritance in the Age. In order for a covenant (as in last will and testament) to take effect, there needs to be the death of the person making it. The first covenant went into effect with the blood of animals. In the Ancient Near East, when a covenant was made, animals were sacrificed, and the halves laid apart from each other. The parties making the covenant would join hands and walk through the animals saying something to the effect of “may what happened to these animals happen to us if we violate the terms of this covenant.” This is the background to God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 (see comments there) although only God passed through the covenant, indicating that His promises to bless Abraham was solely dependent upon His efforts. When Moses was making the covenant with the nation of Israel, he sprinkled blood on the nation, as a symbol of the normal covenant making practice. Similarly using hyssop and blood, Moses sprinkled blood over everything in the tabernacle to cleanse it from sin, by covering it over with the blood, which was the required payment for sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no covering nor forgiveness (Lev 17:11).

9:23-26 It was necessary for the earthly copies of the heavenly things to be cleansed with the blood of animals, but the heavenly things are cleansed with the blood of Jesus. Christ didn't enter a man made tabernacle multiple times, but a heavenly one, once for all with His own blood. The timing was one time only, at the end of the OT age, to put away/make void or annul sin (only used elsewhere in 7:18 of the law).

9:27-28 These last two verses are worth knowing well. Humans get one chance at life, and then face judgment. There are no second chances; there is no re-incarnation. Just like Christ died once, so do humans; flipping the analogy around, just like humans die once, so did Christ. The whole argument in the preceding verses is that Christ died once, because that is all that was necessary to permanently pay for all sin for all time. Those who think they are re-sacrificing Christ on an altar must be ignorant of this passage . Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many (since not all will accept His death on their behalf and choose to die for their own sins). Christ will return again, but not in reference to sin (“to bear sin” is a good interpretation -NIV), because He already did that. He will return at His second coming to bring salvation (glorification, since justification is already our present possession) to those who eagerly await Him. Those who aren't looking forward to His return are probably not busy laying up rewards in heaven according to His instructions (Mt 6:19-20).

Application: Since it's inevitable that we die and face judgment, it might be a good idea to use the time we have on earth preparing to do well at the judgment seat of Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please guide me in living to please You so I can eagerly anticipate Your return in glory. Amen.

Hebrews 10 Faith, Hope and Love

10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins. 4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, "Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire, but you prepared a body for me; 6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’" 8 Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them" (those which are offered according to the law), 9 then he has said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified because of (dia) the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;’" then he says, 17 "I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more." 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19 Having therefore, brothers,

confidence to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 and having a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,

23 let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering;

for he who promised is faithful.

24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom/manner of some is,

but exhorting/encouraging one another;

and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.

28 A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of,

who has trodden under foot the Son of God,

and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing,

and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him who said, "Vengeance belongs to me," says the Lord, "I will repay." Again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened,

you endured a great struggle with sufferings; 33 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.

35 Therefore don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 37 "In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait. 38 But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.

Observations:10:1-5 The OT ritual and sacrificial law was just a shadow of the good to come, because they could never make perfect (bring to completion/fulfillment or glorification) those who draw near to worship. If they could do that, they wouldn't be continually offered, because the worshipers would no longer have a consciousness of sins (because they wouldn't be consciously sinning). But in the sacrifices of the Day of Atonement there is an annual reminder of sins.

10:6-18 Quoting Psalm 40 to show that God doesn't desire sacrifices but prefers obedient service, the author stresses the importance of having the law within one's heart (a function of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant).

Psalm 40:6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

God gives us ears so we can hear His will, and do it. He gave the sacrificial system for when we failed to do His will, which He would prefer. Jesus takes away the sacrifices (and the need for them) so He can establish (set in place) the second, which is the doing of God's will, on the basis of His law being internalized by the Holy Spirit. By Christ doing the will of God, we are in the condition of having been sanctified/set apart (present indicative plus perfect participle, like in Eph 2:8, stressing the ongoing nature of a previous event). Note that verse 14 refers to the ongoing (present tense) aspect of being sanctified.

Daily Levitical sacrifices can never take away sins, but Jesus, by one sacrifice, did, and has sat down (in contrast to the standing priest) after having finished His work, and is now awaiting future glorification. As verse 14 emphasizes, by means of one offering Jesus has perfected (perfect tense) for all time (continuously) those who are being sanctified. His death removes all barriers to their glorification. The Holy Spirit testifies to this in the terms of the New Covenant. The law will be internalized, and God will no longer hold their sins against them, but instead will be their God, and they will be His people. Where there is remission (sending away or forgiveness) of sins, there is no more offering for sin, and thus no need for the daily sacrifices, nor the system.

10:19-25 Now the author summarizes what believers have in Christ, and outlines the three major areas in which they should progress in doing God's will on the press to perfection/glorification. This is the “hinge” of Hebrews (it's also called the “salad” passage, since it's comprised of three kinds of “let us”). Believers/brothers have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, through a new way, through his flesh (put for His sacrificial death) which cleansed them of their sin, and cleansed their consciences so they can serve God. They also have a great and faithful high priest who lives to make intercession for them and help them. Therefore they need to progress in faith, hope, and love, which will be expanded upon in the following three chapters (faith in 11, hope in 12, love in 13). But first the author gives a summary statement and then another warning passage, and encouragement to persevere.

First believers should draw near (used of approaching a deity in worship) to God with a true (rather than hardened or false or lie-filled) heart in fullness of faith (no room for anything else). He further elaborates that the heart is sprinkled/cleansed (only used elsewhere in 9:13, 19, 21) from an evil conscience (by the Holy Spirit renewing our heart), and our body washed with pure water (clean of dead works).

Secondly, believers should hold fast the profession of their hope (expectation of the Messiah's return to reward the faithful in His kingdom) without wavering (succumbing to the temptation to be unfaithful to avoid persecution), because the God who promised to do so is faithful.

Thirdly, believers should live in love, by not thinking only about themselves, but considering one another for the purpose of stimulating the love and good deeds that God will reward. Believers should not forsake assembling together, although their Jewish families and neighbors would be pressuring them to. When gathered with other believers, the goal should be to encourage one another (call up the mountain) with increased fervency as they see or recognize the future Day of judgment (return of the Lord) approaching. The author warns against not doing this in the next verses.

10:26-30 In this third warning passage the author again address an “enlightened” audience (10:32) who had been walking in God's will, and were being tempted and pressured to go back to the way they were. The “willful sin” is not a momentary rebellion or relapse that is part of the normal growth and maturity pattern, but, like chapter 6, a return to Judaism (which the whole letter warns against by showing the superiority of Christ over Judaism). The ones warned have “received the truth” (cf Jn 1:12), and then by going back to Judaism left the sphere where forgiveness was found (by the blood of Christ, described earlier in the chapter). In the Levitical sacrifices there was no longer a sacrifice for sins, but only the expectation of judgment, and the fire which will consume the adversaries. This is the judgment John spoke of in Matthew 3:12. It is not being tossed into the lake of fire with the unforgiven and unregenerate, but being judged in the fire of the garbage dump of Gehenna where fire will test the quality of each man's work (1Cor 3:15). Believers don't face the former, only the latter.

The author clearly states that believers who behave badly will face discipline as did Jesus (see comments on Luke 12:47 and the unprofitable servants -Mt 25:30). Anyone who disregarded the lesser law of Moses would die (be deprived of dominion) on the testimony of witnesses. Those who disregard and despise the rule of the Son of God in their lives are worthy of greater punishment. Note the three aspects of the sin:

trampling under foot the Son of God in their denial of the Lord who bought them (cf 6:6);

considered the blood of Jesus, which sanctified them (set them apart for New Covenant blessings) an unholy, profane, or common thing;

insulted/despised or abused the Spirit of Grace who saved, sanctified, and “indwelt” them.

These are clearly bad believers. If one's theology doesn't allow for such critters, one is not only unbiblical, but incredibly naive. It might be time to bring one's theological thinking into harmony with the truth.

The reason the believer will be disciplined/punished is because our infinitely just God has said

Dt 32:35 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. 36 For the Lord will judge His people...”

This is in the context of God promising to judge His unfaithful children who deserted the God who made/fathered them, and Rock who saved them (32:15, 18). The parallel, cited also by Paul in Romans 12:19 should be obvious to all except the most obstinate. It is indeed a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of the living and livid God for judgment. It is better to not fear those who can kill the body than to not fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna (Mt 10:28).

10:32-39 The author provides positive encouragement to persevere, by reminding his audience of the earlier times after they were born again/enlightened. They endured persecution and afflictions from the Jews, and shared in the sufferings of the apostles and other of God's people, joyfully accepting the loss of their possessions because they knew that had better and enduring possessions in heaven (which is a whole lot more than many modern believers know and do). The author exhorts them to not throw away their confidence in Christ, which has great reward. The issue is reward or loss thereof, not undoing justification.

The corrective is to exercise endurance, so that after having done the will of God (obviously something that is attainable and doable – see Eph 5:17 comments if in doubt), they may receive the promised blessing in the Kingdom (not a reference to getting forgiveness on the basis of works). Loosely quoting Habakkuk 2:3-4 “For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won’t delay. 4 Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous/just will live by his faith.” the author reminds that God's promise will arrive. In the meantime the just (those who are already justified -see comments on Romans 1:17) will live (exercise dominion) by faith in God's promises. If anyone fails to follow in faith, and shrinks back from the difficulties of enduring denial and opposition, God will have no pleasure in that person. God only blesses those with whom He is pleased. The author groups himself with his audience in asserting that they are not among those who shrink back to destruction but who continue to have faith to the end goal of saving their souls (glorification -cf Lk 9:23-27 and the calls to discipleship in the gospels).

Application: God has given us all we need to progress in faith, hope and love as we await His return to reward His faithful servants.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks for all You've done to save and sanctify me, and make possible a great future with You; help me draw on Your Spirit to keep my conscience and actions aligned with Your will. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God has given us ears so we can hear and do His will, and He can bless us. He provided the sacrificial system as a temporary measure for dealing with sins, until Christ would come and put an end to sin. He provides the Holy Spirit to enable us to be perfected.

Build-a-Jesus: As our High Priest, Jesus paid for our sins with His own blood securing total redemption for us. As the mediator of the New Covenant, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to apply the benefits of His death in cleansing our consciences from sin and dead works so we can serve the living God

Us in a nutshell: NT believers participate in the blessings of the Holy Spirit in His sanctifying and perfecting us. If we follow God's will, particularly in the areas of faith, hope and love, we will be rewarded, if we don't, we will be punished with destruction (it's a promise).

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Hebrews 4-7 Falling Away or Following Faithfully

TMS Luke 9:23 Call To Discipleship

Lk 9:22 "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."

23 “And He was saying to them all,

"If anyone wishes to come after Me,

he must deny himself,

and take up his cross

daily

and follow Me.

24 "For whoever wishes to save his life/soul will lose it, but whoever loses his life/soul for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25 "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his soul? 26 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Observations: 9:23 Jesus just finishes telling the disciples He is going to be rejected and murdered, and then asks if anyone wishes/desires to follow Him. It would be an absolutely crazy invitation were it not for the resurrection and glory piece. The reality is that we can't keep any of this life, and we can't lose the glory God gives in the next life. So the decision should be a no-brainer, except for the pain of the methodology of following. Self denial, just saying “No” to our desires and ambitions is a matter of daily death and self-crucifixion. See comments on Luke 9 for the context and what it meant to carry one's cross in that culture (an admission that the cross-bearer was wrong and worthy of death, and the governing authority was right). Those who wish or desire to follow Christ as His disciple to glory are not forced to do so. It is a free-will decision, but the wise one to make.  Many don't make it.  To see how Jesus sells them on making the decision to follow, take a peek at the verses after the invite. What is the net gain to you if you succeed in all the trivial pursuits this life offers and forfeit the purpose for which God put you on earth? Pretty silly.

Application: Exchange the minutes of each day for something that has eternal value, by learning and doing God's will rather than your own.

Prayer: God, help me keep my focus on the purpose of life on this planet, and live it for Your and my glory in the next life; don't let me fall for any of Satan's lies and deceptions. Thanks. Amen.

Hebrews 4-7 Continuing his theme of the superiority of Christianity to Judaism, the author of Hebrews shows Christ's superiority to Moses and Aaron in an attempt to keep believers from going back to the way they were (Judaism for them). He first holds out the conditional promise of sharing in the glory of Christ in chapter 4, and then the certain promises of destruction for those who fall away from following Christ in the severe warning passage in chapter 6. Mystery man Melchizedek makes appearances in a couple of chapters, complementing Christ's triple roles as Prophet, King, and Priest. The author makes use of Psalms 95 and 110 to encourage believers not to harden their hearts to God's revelation, and to demonstrate the superiority of Christ's priesthood in being able to bring believers to perfection/glory. The author remonstrates his readers for being babies needing instruction, rather than being in a position to teach and serve others. May that not be said of any of those who read (and study) DailyTruthbase.

Hebrews 4 Rest and Reward

4:1 Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. 3 For we who believe do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest"; although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, "God rested on the seventh day from all his works"; 5 and in this place again, "They will not enter into my rest." 6 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), "Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we have to give an account (NIV).

14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

Observations: 4:1-10 If your response to the warning passage in chapter 2 and the truth in chapters 3-4 is that you've got nothing to worry about because you've trusted Jesus as the payment for your sin, you have a lot more to worry about than you think. In fact, panic would be a better response, because you'd have to be spiritually blind to miss the point. The author concludes that the correct response is to fear (as in knee shaking dread or terror, from which we get the English phobia). The fear is that of missing (left behind or coming short of a goal) the eternal blessing/rest of God. The author draws the same conclusion that Paul did in 1Corinthians 10:1-12. NT audiences are like the OT audiences in that the good news of God's planned blessings don't profit or benefit them unless they believe the promises. This is not about forgiveness/justification, but blessing/glorification. It is only those who believe enter God's rest. The aorist is the most common tense; it is used to present a snapshot of the action, and is called the undefined tense. The time (past, present, future) and type (once, repeated, etc.) must be determined from context. The context is not that those who believe once in the past (although the aorist can be used for that) enter the rest (present is put for the future), but those who continue to believe (see verse 11). The Exodus generation believed at the Red Sea, but failed to continue to believe (and thus obey) consequently missed the rest, and did not profit from hearing of it. In verse 6, the author links belief with obedience. If you believe that God rewards those who obey, you obey. If you don't believe it, you don't obey. God had planned out the rest from Creation since it was part of His plan to glorify Himself by glorifying faithful believers (unlike the fallen angels -see Eph 3:10 and 2Cor 5 under Digging Deeper), but not everyone would trust and obey. In Psalm 95:7, during the time of David, God speaks again of hearing and obeying God's revelation. The author argues that if Joshua had given the people rest in his time, then David would not have spoken of another day. The children of the Exodus generation didn't fulfill the “rest” plan, so there remains a “Sabbath rest” for the people of God. This would imply a period of rest and peace corresponding to the seventh day of creation. For folks who like 2Peter 3:8 and can do math, things can look exciting. Those who hear, trust and obey, will labor, but have the hope of a rest to look forward to, the Millennial Kingdom.

4:11-16 I wish those who deceive believers with “let go and let God” would let go of Satan's lie and drop it in the pit, from which the lie came. God wants believers to make every diligent effort to enter into the rest, by obeying, and not following the OT example of disobedience. Last time I checked, obedience required work (2Cor 11:23-31). The word of God will judge our actions and motives when we stand before God on judgment day (2Cor 5:9-10). This is obviously not a determination of whether we trusted Jesus as our sin-bearer or not, but of dividing which decisions of our life were motivated by the Spirit, and which by the soul (mind/will/emotions). The contrast is between that which is of God (spirit/Spirit, and of man (soul). The level of obedience required is not mere external perfunctory compliance with ritual, but that which springs from a purified and renewed heart. Such a life transformation does not occur without our will and God's help. Fortunately, the latter is readily available. Jesus, our High Priest can sympathize with and help our weakness if we are willing. He was tempted in all things we're tempted by: power (security/significance), pleasure, and possessions, yet was victoriously without sin. It is not that He was incapable of sin (books have been written/committed on this topic), but that He depended upon the grace/power of God to live so as to please God. That same dynamic is available to us. As God's children and subjects of the Lord Jesus, we can come boldly before the throne of grace to find both mercy for when we've sinned (1Jn 1:9) and grace to help in time of need.

Application: God will always provide all the grace we need to obey Him and reap the reward He has planned; the only thing that is lacking is our determination to learn and do what He's said.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks for Your example and desire to help me succeed in doing Your will; may I never shrink in shame from seeking forgiveness nor fail to depend on Your infinite grace to live victorious over temptation, as You did. Amen.

Hebrews 5 Melchizedek the Mystery Man

5:1 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 3 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. 5 So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your father." 6 As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."

7 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly receptivity, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,10 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 12 For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 14 But solid food is for those who are mature, who by reason of use have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Observations: 5:1-6 The author is now going to demonstrate the superiority of Christ over the Levitical (Aaronic) priesthood, so his original audience wouldn't be tempted to go back to Judaism. Jesus is seen as Prophet and King, and now Priest. Melchizedek, who shows up in this chapter and the next was a priest back in the time of Abraham (Gen 14:18), over 400 years before the Law and Levitical system. Christ was not a priest in the line of Levi, (being from the tribe of Judah), but was instead appointed a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, according to Psalm 110 (a vision David has of the Messiah – See comments on Ps 110). Unlike a Levitical priest who had to first offer a sacrifice for his own sins, Jesus, didn't have to do that. The eternal duration of Christ's priesthood will be discussed in the next chapter.

5:7-10 These verses are more applicable to a modern audience. Christ's prayers were answered during His days on earth, including being saved from/out of (ek) death because of His receptivity (literally good+receive) and resultant obedience. Even though He was the chosen Son (as in a Suzerain-Vassal relationship) he demonstrated obedience in the things He suffered and thus was glorified/perfected by God and became the author of eternal (of the Age) salvation (glorification) to all those who obey Him. He received glory on the basis of His obedience, and shares it with those who obey (cf. Rom 8:17).

5:11-14 The author has more to say about Melchizedek, but his audience needs to go back and master the basics of the Christ-following life, because like their forefathers, and unlike Christ, they are not listening to God very well. They ought to be teachers, but need someone to teach them the basics. There is a timetable for growth in the Christian life (2Tim 2:2). I'm always astounded by the perpetual infancy of folks who have spent decades hearing the same evangelistic message preached every Sunday, and can't lead someone to Christ, much less help them get established in the Christian life. Immature infancy is caused by bad teachers, and bad hearers. The immature can't even define righteousness, much less demonstrate it in their life. The mature are those who are skillful in the word about righteousness (knowing and doing what is right in God's sight). They have trained themselves to discern good from evil (as well as best from better) and can pass it on to others. Those who can't are defenseless babes.

Application: If you don't own the 7PASSAGES in the sidebar (or ones like them) it might be time to grow up and make them part of your life, so you can minister to others with them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks that You hear my prayers; help me develop a greater sensitivity to Your Spirit and truth so I may clearly embrace the good and eschew the evil; and teach others to do the same. Amen.

Hebrews 6 Falling Away

6:1 Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 This will we do, if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those

who were once enlightened

and tasted of the heavenly gift,

and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5 and tasted the good word of God,

and the powers of the age to come,

6 and then fell away,

it is impossible

to renew them

again

to repentance;

seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again,

and put him to open shame.

7 For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and brings forth a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. 10 For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. 11 We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fulness of hope even to the end, 12 that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. 17 In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; 20 where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Observations: 6:1-2 Those who can discern good and evil, and demonstrate righteousness in their lives should press on to perfection/glorification, and not lay again the foundation of the basics of the Christ following life: repentance from (changing one's mind about the desirability of) works that lead to death (loss of dominion); faith toward God; baptisms (Spirit, and water -the first step of discipleship in which a believer died to the old so they could live for the new -Rom 6); laying on of hands (for service or healing); the future resurrection of the dead (Dan 12:2-3); and future judgment of believers (2Cor 5:10). Those are just the basics. Don't get bogged down here, but move onto the ministry that gains glory.

6:3-8 The second warning passage, like all the others is directed toward those who have believed in Christ and are born again, but are tempted to go back to Judaism. It is totally inappropriate to try to twist the truth to say this passage applies to unbelievers, or those who said they trusted Christ but really didn't. The reason false or confused “teachers” come up with such machinations is to support an illogical theology, or because they don't understand rewards and the different aspects of salvation (they've been parroting the party line rather than mastering the truth).

The people the author describes are enlightened, born again believers, who have been partakers of the Holy Spirit, and then have fallen way from their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, as their family and friends would be pressuring them to do (see the persecutions of believers in Acts, by the Jews who rejected Christ). “Tasted” is the same as Christ “tasting” death for all of us in 2:9; it means to eat the whole enchilada.

The thing that is impossible is to re-new them again to the state of repentance. Note the word again. That means they were once there. The impossibility is not of them being justified or forgiven, but of being brought back again (re-new = make new again) to their initial repentance. That was the state where their slate was wiped clean, and their new life began. It is impossible to bring them back to that state for three reasons.

The first is that there are consequences for sin, as demonstrated by the Exodus generation at Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 13-14 see post). The nation's refusal to face the giants and obey God's command to go into the promised land resulted in their exclusion from it, and death in the desert. We can reach a point where God judges our rebellion with not just loss of rewards, but disinheritance.

The second reason it is impossible to renew them again to repentance is that in going back to Judaism, they were siding with the Jewish party line that Jesus was a ungodly criminal who deserved to die for His sins. Like the unpardonable sin (see comments on Mt 12:31) one can't be in both the sphere where forgiveness is and in the sphere that denies Jesus is from God. Those who leave the sphere of forgiveness, don't lose what God has already graciously given them, but lose the relationship with God due to their unconfessed sin (and disobedience). Ongoing grace and forgiveness are found in Christ, not Judaism. Those who are confessing Christ as an evil charlatan, and putting Him to shame, don't have the same kind of relationship with Him as those who confess Him as Lord. When Christ died for their sins, He died for all their sins, so judgment in the lake of fire isn't their future, but the burning of their works in the garbage dump of Ghenna (1Cor 3:15) is in their future if they remain where they are (see verses 7-8). The can't be repenting (changing their mind about Christ) while denying Him.

The third reason it is impossible to renew them again to repentance while they are denying Christ is the Messiah is found in the illustration in verses 7-8. Land that takes in the blessing of rain and yields a crop as the farmer intended, is good, and in the analogy gets a blessing from God. But that which yields thorns and thistles rather than a fruitful crop, is rejected from blessing, and headed to burning. The crop is burned, not the land. All it produced goes up in smoke, nothing remains. In the initial state of repentance, God forgave all sin, and if the person had died immediately thereafter, like the thief on the cross, they would be with Christ in Paradise. But by bearing bad crops and being disloyal, they lost that state of initial repentance. Failure isn't always fatal. Land was often burned of bad growth so it could be replanted and produce a good crop. Those who repent can start again, on plan B. Blessing plan B is far better than cursing plan A. It would be better to stick with blessing plan A, regardless of the discomfort.

6:9-12 The author was persuaded that better things than falling away and being cursed/disinherited would accompany the salvation/justification of his audience. God is not unjust, so He will not forget the work and love they've done in loyalty to His name, shown by their service of the believers. He desires that each reader shows the same diligence/earnestness in loyal service with a view to getting the full assurance/fulfillment of their hope (of reward) until the final culmination of the age (telios). To do so, they must not be spiritual sluggards but imitators of those who through faith in God's promise to reward (11:6) and longsuffering, inherit the promises (plural, not forgiveness, which is not a matter of inheritance but the blessings of the Messianic age -Col 3:24 inheritance=reward).

6:13-20 To bolster his audience's faith and confidence in their reward, the author cites the promise of God to bless Abraham, swearing by Himself, as well as promising. After Abraham patiently endured, he obtained the promise (of his son and descendents). God did the double guarantee so that the heirs of the promise (the author's audience, and you and me), would have extra encouragement to believe in spite of opposition, so we could take hold of the hope of reward (not hope of forgiveness) set before us. Hope or expectation of reward is the anchor for our mind, will and emotions (soul) to keep us fixed on obeying when pressured to go back to the way we were. This hope or anchor enters within the veil where Christ is in heaven, gloriously rewarded at the right hand of God. He is the forerunner (advance scout), aiding and interceding for us as an eternal priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Application: Going back to the way we were is a surefire way to be disillusioned and disinherited; going forward through the difficulties is a sure way to escape fiery judgment, and reap our eternal reward (the better choice).

Prayer: God, thanks for the encouragements and incentives You give to guide us to blessing; may I not be hard-hearted and rebellious, but one who by faith and loyal endurance inherits Your promises. Amen.

Hebrews 7 Once For All

7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace; 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 10 for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11 Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 13 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, 16 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an indestructable life: 17 for it is testified, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." 18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), but a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath 21 (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, "The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’" 22 By so much, Jesus has become the pledge/sponsor of a better covenant. 23 Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24 But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. 26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.

Observations: 7:1-10 Going back to Melchizedek who was greater than not only Levi, but also Abraham, the author again demonstrates the superiority of Christ to all that was in Judaism. His origin and identity is a mystery. He is clearly a type of Christ, but the author does not identify him as the pre-incarnate Christ, since Melchizedek is called a man, and Christ is in the order of him, not him. Being the king (mel) of chizedek/righteousness and king of Salem/peace, does prefigure Christ. No listed/written genealogy alludes to that of the eternal Christ.

7:11-28 The interest of the author is in the need for a priesthood after that of Aaron (Ps 110 comes after Leviticus). The Levitical priesthood could not bring worshipers to perfection/glory. If it could have, there would have been no need for another priesthood, since glorification was the end goal of God (justification is the prelude -Eph 1; Heb 2:10). The law didn't perfect, but brought in a better hope, on the basis of which we draw near to God. Jesus was made an eternal (and thus final and superior) priest (Ps 110) on the basis of God's oath. As a result of God's oath and the permanent nature of Christ's priesthood, He is the pledge or sponsor or guarantor of a better covenant/testament (next chapters). By living forever, He is always able to help those who draw near to God through Him. Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost (glorification) those who are in union with Him. “Once for all” (two major theological schools of error are exposed by that phrase) He offered Himself for our sins, and is a perfected/glorified Son, forever.

Application: God's goal is to perfect/glorify those who draw near to Him in union with Christ, so get moving.

Prayer: God, thanks for providing such a perfect Priest to help me experience the salvation You so graciously planned for me; may I enter it to the uttermost. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God promises glory to anchor our soul in His purposes for us. He made Christ an eternal priest to save us to the uttermost.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is a faithful eternal forever priest and Son. He lives to always help and make intercession for His followers.

Us in a nutshell: We will lose out if we harden our hearts towards God's word and go back to the way we were. We will not lose our justification, but we will lose our fellowship with God and future glory. Those who resist the temptations to quit and instead persevere will inherit the promised glory.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Galatians 1-3 Justification By Faith

Galatians 1-3 Justification By Faith

Psalm 143:1-12 Thirsting For God and Trusting Him

Ps 143:1 Of David “Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me. 2 Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous. 3 For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead. 4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands. 6 I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

• 7 Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails.
• Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit.
• 8 Cause me to hear your hesed/loyal covenantal love in the morning, for I trust in you.
• Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
• 9 Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies, I flee to you to hide me.
• 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
• Your Spirit is good, lead me in the land of uprightness.

11 Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble. 12 In your hesed/loyal covenantal love, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am your servant."

Observations: 143:1-6 Persecuted by his enemies and overwhelmed, David calls to God for much-needed help. Rather than remaining in the darkness, he recalls God's faithfulness, righteousness, past deliverances, and presses his plea to God. He bases his plea on the righteousness of God, knowing that no one is perfect in his sight. Every fiber of his being thirsts for God, his only hope.

143:7-12 The last half of the psalm contains a number of requests and the reason for them. The last half of verse 10 flips the order for emphasis. Our dependency upon God should be so great that if He is not actively involved in our lives, sustaining and guiding, we will perish. There might be dry days but no prolonged parched periods in the life of someone who walks in the shadow of God, for in His presence (available to anyone, anywhere, anytime) is fullness of joy. David asks God for guidance and direction, which He is pleased to give so we can do His will. God's servants can trust Him because not only is He infinitely good, He is infinitely loyal to His promises to protect those who trust in Him.

Application: If we're seeking and following God throughout every day, it will be difficult to be far from Him when trouble comes (as it inevitably will).

Prayer: God, please guide my steps in doing Your will, so I can have complete confidence in Your protection and presence. Thanks. Amen.

TMS Romans 3:23 All Have Sinned

Rom 3:23 “(22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;)

23 for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God,

24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.“

Observations: 3:23 This is the major passage in the Scriptures on justification by faith, declaring our need for it (forgiveness). All people have “missed the mark” (that's what sin means) of the righteousness God requires. Some might be better or worse than others, but all miss out on the glory God wants to give them. He's the one who sets the rules/standards, and we are all too short to go on the ride. Fortunately God also provides a solution to the problem. See the comments on Romans 3 for an exposition of the verse in context. “Crowbar” questions: “What makes you think you've hit the standard God requires? How do you know what the standard is? Where does Jesus fit into the picture? Why did He have to die?”

Application: Confession is to “say the same thing” that God does; acknowledgment of sin opens the door for the solution, and the ride to glory.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against You in not seeking nor doing Your will, and thus am not worthy to receive Your glory; thanks for sending the Lord Jesus to die for my sin, so that I can become worthy. Amen.

Galatians 1-3 Paul writes to the believers in the churches he planted on his journey to Galatia to call them back to the gospel he had preached to them, which they had believed, and which resulted in them being indwelt by the Spirit of God. Jewish believers who cared more for tradition than truth had perverted the good news of justification by faith, by seeking to impose the Jewish ceremonial and religious law, especially circumcision, on Gentile believers as the means of gaining the promises contained in the good news. Paul combats this error by showing that the message they believed was from God, and the others were teaching the mere words of men. Some of the difficulties in understanding Paul's argument lie in not knowing what he means by law and justification. The law in this epistle is not the moral law (which as recipients of the Holy Spirit is written in our hearts), but rather those aspects that separated the Jews from the Gentiles as the peculiar people of God. The justification in chapter 2 is most likely not forgiveness (since they already had that) but a declaration of the righteousness they needed for blessing (inheritance and reward) in the future Age of the Messiah (kingdom). This is just like the OT requirement to do what is right in God's sight (righteousness) to receive the promised blessings. The just, (as in justified/forgiven), shall live (as in receive the blessings of the Messianic kingdom) by faith (as in continuing to believe that God will do what He said He'll do -Heb 11:6). The righteousness God requires extends beyond forgiveness, as the rest of the epistle demonstrates. One can't read their preconceptions into chapter two and then ignore all the evidence in the rest of the epistle, and be right.

Galatians 1 No Other Gospel

1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory to the Ages of the ages. Amen.

6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news"; 7 and there isn’t another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 14 I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called/summoned me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. 21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 23 but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God in me.

Observations: 1:1-5 Paul opens with the assertion that he is an apostle (sent one) from Jesus the Messiah. He writes to the assemblies of believers in the resurrected Christ, which he planted in Galatia on his first missionary journey. As in Romans and 1Corinthians, he wishes them the covenantal blessings of grace and peace and writes the book so they can get blessed. The “bookend” of 6:16 tells them how to get them (“walk/live according to this rule/standard”). The Lord Jesus, the Messiah gave himself for our sins (justification -see Romans 3 comments) so that (purpose) believers might be delivered out of (ek) this present age (here aion is used for a definite period of time), according to the will of God. The will of God is not just that our sins be forgiven, but that we experience a deliverance, through sanctification, into the glory of the Age to come (glorification).

1:6-14 Paul marvels that those who believed the good news/gospel he preached to them (see comments on 1Cor 15 for what that was) were so quick to bite the bait Satan dangled in front of them. Even if an angel (which Satan can disguise himself as -2Cor 11:14) told them anything different than Paul did, they shouldn't believe it, and the false teacher should be accursed. To understand what he means, you have to skip ahead to understand the context of the letter: those Jews who had believed, were trying to make the Gentiles become Jews to be recipient of God's blessings. (See comments on the Jerusalem Council -Acts 15). This teaching is not from God, but men. By seeking to please men and submit to the Jewish traditions and “law” they would not be pleasing to God. This is why Paul emphasizes the choice the Galatians face: please unauthenticated men by following their teaching, or please God by following His authenticated teachers (the apostles) and His message. Paul recounts his conversation with Jesus, and his resultant conversion, and commission to show his message is the real deal.

Acts 26:15 So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' (See comments there).

1:15-24 After his encounter with Jesus Paul didn't immediately go to Jerusalem, but eventually did, meeting briefly with Peter and James (the Lord's brother, now an apostle -see comments on Acts 12:2 and 15:13). He did not get his message from the other apostles, nor did he have contact with the churches in Judea, so his message was based upon revelation from God alone (the only way a finite being can know infinite truth).

Application: Our beliefs need to be based squarely and solidly upon the revealed word of God, not what men say about it, otherwise we'll be following fables and traditions that are powerless to deliver us out of this present evil age into the glories of the Ages to come.

Prayer: God, I praise You for being both the Creator and Communicator of life; thanks that You have power to not only create, but communicate in such a way that I can understand what you desire of me, and what I can expect of You; please guide me in understanding and applying Your revelation to my life. Amen.

Galatians 2 Justification Isn't Always Forgiveness

2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision 8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles); 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.

11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?"

15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,"

16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed into/(eis) Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 21 "I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Observations: 2:1-10 Fourteen years later Paul again went to Jerusalem and met with the chief apostles who agreed with his message to the Gentiles. No circumcision was required (Titus heaved a sigh of relief). False (pseudo) brothers had entered into the assemblies, to advance the cause of Judaism, not Christ. These folks are referred to as Judaizers, who taught that one had to become a Jew to be blessed, even though one believed in Christ. The apostles at Jerusalem saw that Christ had appointed Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, as he had Peter to be the apostle to the Jews. The request the apostles had of Paul was for him to remember the financial needs of the poor saints in Jerusalem, which he was eager to do.

2:11-14 When Peter was at Antioch, he ate with the Gentiles, which was considered a violation of the law by the Jews. So when the Jewish believers came from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles (even though God had given him direct revelation that eating with Gentiles was OK; see comments on Acts 10:28 when God showed him that). Peter's hypocrisy, for fear of the Jews, was leading others astray, so Paul opposed him to his face in front of all. Peter was clearly wrong for trying to compel the Gentiles to live as Jews.

2:15-20 Paul argued that even Jews are not justified by works or deeds of the Jewish law, but by faith in Jesus. One has to ask why Paul is arguing justification with people who already have their sins forgiven. The answer is that he is viewing not the forensic righteousness ala Romans 3:23-26 (above in the TMS section), but rather the righteousness (doing what is right in His sight that God required for blessing in the OT, and still requires for blessing in this life and in the Ages to come). The law can't declare one righteous, since it points out sin. If someone who has believed in Christ doesn't follow all the law (like doesn't keep his distance but actually eats with defiling Gentiles) does that mean that Christ causes sin? Obviously the indwelling Christ can't be a source of sin, so the only reasonable thing to conclude is that the law is no longer valid. The law to which Paul refers must be inferred from context, and the context of the chapter. The rest of the letter will point to the ceremonial or religious law, rather than the moral law (which the audience, as recipients of the Holy Spirit, and participants in the blessing of the New Covenant, would already have written on their hearts). "Rebuilding" the law by seeking to live according to it (in the ceremonial sense, since the moral law was now written in his heart) would make himself a law-breaker. Paul has died to the law so that he may live for Christ.
2:20 He himself is crucified with Christ (in his union with Christ) and thus no longer lives as the law-keeping/breaking Paul (see TMS Galatians 2:20).  He now lives by faith in the son of God, (with the resultant indwelling life-giving Spirit). Paul is using justification here in a different sense than most realize. Justification usually refers to being declared righteous in reference to the penalty of sin, also known as the forgiveness aspect of salvation (see introduction to Matthew for the different aspects of salvation). Here, Paul is looking beyond forgiveness to the righteousness God requires for reward in the Kingdom. To receive this declaration the just person needs to live by faith. Living by faith is more than a one time belief in the substitutionary atonement, but an ongoing trust in the promises of God (see Faith Actuates God's Promises on Truthbase.net if you've never studied what the Scripture says faith is). To live is not just a deliverance from the lake of fire, but to exercise dominion/glory in the realm of God's promises (Dt 30:19). This is the only understanding that is consistent with all the facts. It's not about past forgiveness, nor present position, but future righteousness (knowing and doing what is right in God's sight).

2:21 If one can be rightly related to God, forgiven, reconciled, and restored by doing deeds of the law, then Christ didn't have to die. A major “crowbar” question to ask in helping folks understand Christianity is: “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Application: Since Paul will continue the law argumentation in the next chapter, let's pick our application from earlier in the chapter. How about hypocrisy? Caring more about what people think than about what God thinks causes us to be censured by God; so make your motto: “what you see is what I am.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I live in freedom, as someone who is dead to the unrighteous expectations and demands of others, seeking to be pleasing in Your sight above all. Amen.

Galatians 3 Perfected by the Spirit

3:1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified? 2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by/from(ek) the works of the law, or by/from(ek) hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed/perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

6 Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." 7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them." 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree," 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn’t say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ. 17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scriptures enclosed all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept guarded under the law, enclosed with a view toward (eis) the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law has become our guardian with a view toward (eis) Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise.

Observations: 3:1-5 Jesus was openly declared to be the crucified Savior of Isaiah 53, and the Galatians believed it. They received the Spirit as a result of faith in what they heard. God worked miracles to authenticate Paul's message, and their reception of it. They were even persecuted for their faith. So the issue is not the forgiveness of sins (justification aspect of salvation) received by faith. Paul rebukes them for not “obeying” the truth he delivered to them (not for being unbelievers). He appeals to the faith they already had as the basis for arguing that not law-keeping but faith-keeping was necessary for the blessings God had in store for them. It's foolish to begin a journey in the power of the Spirit and then try to bring the journey to completion/fulfillment by a means that was inadequate for starting it. It's like starting across the ocean flying in an airplane, and then halfway there, decide to finish by swimming.

3:6-9 Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to show that the dynamic in Abraham's life was faith, not deeds of the flesh. God always “reckons” righteousness on the basis of faith. What one has to believe varies (Adam-die if eat fruit; Cain-accepted if do right; Noah-flood coming; Abe-God would bless him; Moses-God accepts sacrifices as atonement; John's audience-the kingdom promised in OT in which God rewards righteous behavior was coming [this was the same as the initial message of Jesus and the apostles], latter audience of Jesus and the apostles-Jesus is the promised Messiah who blesses [and forgives]). In each case faith in what God had revealed was necessary to be righteous in God's sight. Paul says that God (the Scriptures) foresaw (seeing ahead of) that God would justify (declare righteous) the nations/Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news (gospel) to Abe that in him, all the nations would be blessed. So those who demonstrate a faith like Abe will be blessed like Abe.

3:10-18 God's promise to Abe was made 430 years before the law, so there is no way the law can undo or annul the faith dynamic which was the basis of God's promise. Instead of blessing, the law brings curse for disobedience. But Christ's death took that curse as our substitute, so we would be free to receive the blessing that comes through the path of faith. The blessing comes to Abe's seed (note the argument hangs on the word being singular rather than plural), which is Christ, who shares it with those who are in union with Him. Notice that the subject matter is the inheritance that one gets in the kingdom, not forgiveness. Inheritance is a reward for faithful obedience (Col 3:24-25).

3:19-29 So what's the purpose of the law? It was added as a temporary measure (most likely to restrain or highlight transgressions/sin) until Christ would come and bring the promised blessing (which via the Spirit would write the law on their heart). Both God and the Jews had responsibilities under the Mosaic law/covenant, but the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant was dependent solely upon God (see comments on Gen 12 &15). The law isn't at odds with the promises of God. If there was a law that could give life, then righteousness would come from the law. But the law enclosed (like a shoal of fish in a net) all under sin so that the promise of faith (Spirit and inheritance) could be given to those who believe. Under the law, they were guarded or enclosed (protected?) people, the law serving as a guardian/tutor, with a view toward them being justified by faith. Now that the anticipated faith was revealed (the content of what they should believe), the believers were no longer under the guardianship of the law. Now they are all children of God (born) through faith in Christ. Their identity is one, in the Messiah Jesus, and thus heirs of the promise made to the seed of Abraham (blessing/inheritance). This means that all distinctions (like Greeks and Jews) no longer exist, so Greeks not only don't need to become Jews to receive the Messianic promises, but they even can't become Jews.

Application: How are you being perfected by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)? For what are you believing God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for all that You've promised me in Christ; guide me in drawing on Your Spirit to reap all the blessings You have in store for me. Thanks. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God has purposed to extend righteousness to people who believe what He's revealed. He promised to bless the entire world through Abraham, and now conveys that blessing through Christ to those who exercise faith.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus died for us so that we could be forgiven and share in the blessings of His Messianic kingdom.

Us in a nutshell: We who believe are no longer who we were, but are new creatures in Christ, living by faith in Him, indwelt by His Spirit, and headed for glory as heirs of His kingdom.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net