Tag: hope

Is There Any Hope When Hate and Terror Reigns?

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God…Wherefore he (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens (Hebrews 7: 19,26-27)

As a Christian writer, I have tried to always present the truth of the gospel to the best that I can and not enter into politics nor have I ever tried to be politically correct when proclaiming the truth of the gospel. The tragedies in Orlando on 6/10/2016 and 6/12/2016 caused me to feel helpless and grieved over where our world and our nation are at this time. So many tragedies from hate and division. We seem to be a nation divided by race, by religion, and by ethnicity with little hope being presented to change this. Have we who are Christians failed to represent Christ as so beautiful that we could draw others to Him? Have I failed to proclaim His Love in a way that others would hear and desire Him? As we have reached Hebrews chapter 7 in our study; let, me point out the superiority of Jesus Christ as our High Priest.

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The writer of Hebrews has pleaded with his readers that they needed to mature in their faith so they could begin to understand the truth. They had returned to the rituals and the Laws; yet, the law never was able to save anyone. There was always the need for an innocent sacrifice to cover the sins of man. Yet, Jesus was the hope all of this pointed toward. The law can only condemn and open our eyes to the truth that evil exists in each of our hearts. We are so prone to selfish desires with little hope of truly showing any love. The law points that out with such clarity; yet, can never be the solution. There could be no priests from the tribe of Levi who were the representation of the law and of whom they themselves are all sinners in need of a sacrifice to save them. Yet, then there came Jesus who is named “Priest forever after the order of Melchisidec” who was considered King of Righteousness and King of Peace.

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What If My Faith Is Stagnant? Is There Hope?

“when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18 God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us.19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain[c] and into the most holy place. 20 Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever,” Hebrews 6: 17-20 (CEV)

Hope is the anchor for our souls when fear would try to shake the foundations of our souls. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 5 has just warned his readers of being “dull of hearing.” He is pleading with them to grow—to mature in their knowledge of Jesus. As we turn to chapter 6, he begins with a plea once more. He seems at first discouraging. He has noted that among the congregation that there are some who want to return to a doctrine of works only. Some wanted to return to ceremonial rituals of being saved over and over again; as though that were possible!!

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Christ had paid the price for salvation once and forever on the cross. To suggest that one could be saved, lose that salvation and be saved again was not possible. The writer points this out very clearly in his arguments to follow in Hebrews 6: 4-6

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

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Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart?

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it Hebrews 4:1-2 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrew 3:19 (NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews once more comes with a warning. In Hebrews 2:1, he had warned us to “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Both warnings had begun with a therefore, asking us to go back and consider the argument which proceeds. In Hebrews 2, the preceding argument had been: “Since God has now chosen to speak to us through Jesus Christ, we must take earnest heed to listen because Jesus was greater than the prophets and the angels through whom God had previously spoken. If we listened to them, much more we should listen to the truth taught by Jesus, God’s own Son. If we fail to listen, fail to take heed; we may let the only hope of salvation slip away from us.”

For Who He Is

Now, once more Hebrews 4 opens with a grave warning that begins with a “therefore”. This time the warning very specifically is: “Since God’s promise of entering His rest (eternity in Paradise with Him) is on the line; be afraid, lest you come short of it because of unbelief.” Woah! Let’s stop a moment to dissect this. Does this mean I could lose my salvation after I have accepted Christ as my Savior? No!! There is: however, the question of whether you truly have come to a saving knowledge of Christ or not. So, please stay with me here while I try to break this down for you both through the argument made by the writer of Hebrews and by an example from life. Continue reading “Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart?”

Really, Why Should I Consider Jesus My Greatest Hero?

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him. Hebrews 3:1-2

As you remember all those heroes who died that you might live in freedom, consider Jesus Christ!! Think upon Him, draw nearer to Him, contemplate upon His Glory, and consider Him the Apostle who proclaimed God’s Final word. Consider Him, the perfect radiance of God’s Glory and image of God who willingly traveled far, suffered, and died that He might purchase your freedom from sin’s penalty. He who was higher than the angels, through whom the world was created; bore all the wrath against sin that perfect righteousness demanded so that you and I might be saved. He died for all who would believe upon His name. In Him we are declared righteous, having been clothed in His righteousness. In Him, we become worthy to be partakers of the heavenly calling as holy brothers and sisters of Christ Himself. In Jesus Christ, we are God’s redeemed, dearly beloved child. So, I urge you; if you have never known Jesus Christ as your Savior; consider Him. For those who know Him, “Consider Him as you face trials, sorrows or pains along this your pilgrimage journey toward your eternal destiny!”

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The word consider means “think about and be drawn toward (a course of action)”, “to believe”, or to “think about when making a decision.” How appropriate a command!! Consider Jesus Christ in all that you do or think! Let’s look at 10 examples of how considering Jesus will transform every detail of your life.

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Why Is Jesus Superior to The Angels?

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man .For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrews 2:9-12

Very meticulously the writer of Hebrews laid out the case using old testament scripture that Jesus was superior to the Angels. Although the angels had been God messengers throughout the Old Testament Scripture both in reigning forth judgment, in speaking to the prophets, in presenting themselves to God’s people as guides along the way; yet, they were always subject to Jesus rule.  The angels are ascribed as having great strength and wisdom. Still, they are servants of Christ who are sent forth as “ministering spirits to them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1: 14).

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It is such a comforting thought that Jesus has sent forth angels to comfort and to protect me. Still, I must not lose sight of the truth.  Angels are not beings that I should worship.  Only God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is worthy of all my praise. Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth and for a time to be placed in a position below the angels, so that He might suffer as a man and to purchase my salvation through His death on a cruel cross.  He, by such, has won the victory for me to one day be with Him and reign with Him in Glory.

Let us for a moment, go step by step through the arguments as to why Jesus is Superior to the angels so that we might understand the depth of humility it took for Jesus Christ to take on human flesh.

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