Jesus said all the Law and the Prophets are built on two
primary foundational principles: supreme
love for God and sacrificial love for others (Matthew 22:37-40). His disciples
were to be known by the love they show toward one another (John 13:34-35). Love
is the distinguishing mark of a disciple of Jesus. Love is the evidence that we
have born again and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. God pours out His love into
our heart by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). If there is no
love in a Christian we need to ask if they are genuinely spiritually Christian
(e.g. 1 John 3:16-19, 23; 4:7-21). A loveless Christian is an oxymoron.
Jesus said the greatest love is a love that "lay down one's life for his friends"
(John 15:13). Truly if we were to sum up Jesus commandments it would be "This is My commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you" (John 15:1). Love is the
"royal law" of Jesus (James 2:8). To enter and live in the presence
of God is to dive into the ocean of God's love. It shouldn't surprise then that
the final chapter of this letter about God's presence is all about love.
To the church in Colosse Paul wrote, "But above all these things put on love,
which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:14). "Love" (Greek agape) refers to a Christ-like sacrificial love. Such love is a product of the Holy
Spirit (Romans 5:5). Such love is a fruit of the Spirit in us (Galatians
5:22-24). Such love is the attitude and
motivation that is most like Christ's attitude and motivation (2 Corinthians
5:14-21). Such love is the way things are done that gives them eternal worth (1
Corinthians 13). Such love is seen in the sacrifice of the only Son Jesus by
the Father of heaven (Romans 5:8). Such love and living in it is what perfects us. "Perfection" (Greek teleiotes)
speaks of completeness, a state of
spiritual understanding and insight, spiritual maturity. "Bond" (Greek syndesmos)
speaks of an attachment ligament, a
uniting principle, that which binds together, a bond, a bundle. Such Christlike love is what wraps up in a
nice complete perfect bundle all that God reveals to us in scripture.
In Hebrews Paul speaks of perfection too (Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 6:1; 7:11,19,28; 9:9,11; 10:1,
14; 11:40; and 12:23). And it is fitting that he concludes the letter with the
exhortation "Let brotherly love
continue" (Hebrews 13:1). Examples of how such love might practically
work itself out in and through our lives is what continues in the rest of that
final chapter. Let's dig in.
Hebrews 13 (NKJV)
13 Let
brotherly love continue.
Love your brothers and sisters in Christ. "Brotherly love" (Greek philadelphia) is love toward brothers, love of the brethren, love, friendship,
affection, devotion. Philadelphian love has often been compared with agape
love as being the lesser of the two. This may be the case based on certain
contexts. But really, philadelphia love
is an outgrowth and living out of agape love toward those in the family of God. When we accept Jesus as Savior
and are born again we are adopted by God into His eternal heavenly family (Romans
8:14-15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). Philadelphian love is particularly the
love we show for others in the body of Christ.
Love is a must. Such love is to "continue" (Greek meneto - Present/Active/Imperative of meno) or abide continually, remain, stay, stand fast, dwell, continue, wait,
endure, be permanent. Love for our fellow brothers and sister sin Christ is
to continue no matter what. The form of this word used by Paul as he is
inspired by the scripture is imperative. An
imperative means this is a must, an
essential, an absolute. Loving one another is a necessary and indispensible
part of the genuine Christian's life.
A
man gave the following account.…
I was walking across
the Golden Gate Bridge when I saw a man about to jump off. I tried to dissuade
him from committing suicide and told him simply that God loved him. I noticed a
tear came to his eye. “Are you a Christian?” I asked.
“Yes,”
he said.
“Me
too! What a small world. Protestant or Catholic?”
“Protestant.”
“Me
too! What denomination?”
“Baptist.”
“Me
too!” I said. “Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?”
“Northern
Baptist.”
“Northern
Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?”
“Northern
Conservative Baptist.”
“Amazing!”
I said, “Call Ripley. This is incredible! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist
Baptist or Northern Conservative Reformed Baptist?”
“Northern
Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist.”
“Remarkable!
Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region or Northern
Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Eastern Region?”
“Northern
Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region.”
“This
is a miracle!” I said. “Are you Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist
Great Lakes Region Council of 1879 or are you Northern Conservative
Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?”
“Northern
Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.”
“Die, you heretic,” I
said—and pushed him over the rail.[1]
Paul may have
been speaking to a separation and lack of love on the part of some of these Hebrew
believers in Jesus. Some may have acted in unloving ways allowing themselves to
be drawn away by the traditions and attractions of the Temple and sacrificial
system. They may have acted in a prejudicial way like Peter is known to have
done. Paul rebuked him for this (e.g. Galatians 2:11-21). Perhaps those who
were contemplating forsaking their relationship with Jesus in the church were
doing so because they had allowed their love to turn cold (e.g. Matthew 24:1).
When there is an exhortation to something in the epistles is may be an
indication of a particular deficit that needs to be corrected. Nevertheless,
Christians need to continue in and continue sharing God's love.
What does this
love look like? What follows gives us practical examples of living in the love
of Christ.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing
some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Love
strangers. While our love for brethren in the church is to be our priority,
that doesn't mean we should neglect loving those who aren't a part of our
church or the unchurched/unsaved. We are to be good Samaritans (Luke 10:25-37).
"Entertain strangers" (Greek philoxenia) means hospitableness.
This speaks of opening our homes to other Christians as well as to those
outside the church. Paul shares the incentive that "for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." Abraham
welcomed three strangers into his tent and found himself in the presence of a
Christophany of Jesus and two angels (Genesis 18). This doesn't necessarily
mean we are obliged to pick up every hitchhiker or invite every person into our
home. Abraham was aware of a supernatural presence of these strangers that came
to his door (Genesis 18:12). There should be a certain amount of discretion
used with strangers. But having said that, we should be open to the possibility
of divine appointments God may steer our way. Loving hospitality puts us in a
position to be greatly used by God.
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those
who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
Love empathetically for those who suffer. If
we love correctly we are empathetic. Love is not negligent to put ourselves in
the shoes of those who are suffering. We should especially pray for those in
prison and in particular those imprisoned for their faith in Christ. We should
also remain loyal and faithful to those persecuted for the faith. We shouldn't
turn away from our brethren for fear we too might be pronounced guilty by
association. We are to stand together or we will fall individually.
4 Marriage is
honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God
will judge.
Love your spouse. Marriage
is "honorable" (Greek timios)
or highly honored, valuable, costly,
dear, esteemed. Marriage is a precious thing to God and it should be to us
as well. One commentator states:
The word
timios, "honorable," could be translated as
"costly." The Christian is to value his
relationship with his spouse so highly that he will avoid defiling the koitē
or marriage "bed" by
keeping himself from any kind of sexual relationship outside of the marriage union and from adulterous relationships
while married. Premarital sex, sodomy, prostitution,
and homosexual acts are all included in the term pornous, and, like
adultery, they will fall under
the judgment of our holy God.[2]
Love expressed in sexual intimacy is to be in the
marriage bed. This is the only "undefiled" (Greek amiantos)
or unsoiled, pure, not deformed, not
debased, not defiled by sin place for love, sexual love, to be expressed. "Fornicators"
(Greek pornos) would include whoremongers, a libertine, a debauchee,
prostitute, those who have sexual relations outside of marriage. "Adulterers"
(Greek moichos) refers to a
paramour, an apostate, one who is faithless toward God, ungodly, one who breaks
a covenant vow especially that of marriage. Fornicators and adulterers "God
will judge." God has blessed the human race with sexuality and its
pleasures. But for that interaction to be used as God intended and in a way that
glorifies God it needs to be experienced between a man and a woman, a husband
and a wife in a marriage. There is a consequence from God for those who indulge
their sexual passions outside of marriage. "Whoever commits adultery
with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul" (Proverbs
6:32; cf. also Proverbs 6:20-35; 7:1-27).
This is a verse whose meaning has been trampled on by
many in our day. And it is sad that even those in the church have not valued
the marriage relationship the way they should have. Marriage and its lifelong
commitment of two people in the sight of God is the place for experiencing
God's blessing of sexual contact. Anything sexually oriented outside of that
place is defiling and does not have God's approval. No rationalization can
diminish the truth of this verse. The world has degenerated from the joys of
God's objective absolute truth. The world tries to say there really is no right
or wrong in life; everything is relative; everything is according to what a
person feels at the moment. The world's mantra is one of subjective sinful
godless relative feeling as the basis of what is right and wrong. The world is
trying to remove any accountability to God and "marriage" is a
perfect example of this. The world says, "What's wrong with two men or two
women marrying each other?" Soon they will be saying, "What's wrong
with a man having multiple wives or a woman having multiple husbands?"
Right now the world is trying to say, "What's wrong with a transgender man
who feels like a woman using a women's public bathroom? Or what's wrong with a
transgender woman who feels like a man using a men's room?" If feelings
are going to be the basis of "truth" and "law" then
civility and societal order is headed toward anarchy. One might ask, "If I
feel like a surgeon does that make me
one?" Based on feelings you would have to say "yes." But the
true test will be whether or not you will submit to surgery from such a
surgeon. And what about liability in
such cases. One might say, "If I feel
like an animal does that make me one?" No, it only makes you look
stupid which you meow, or cluck, or roar like a lion. Feelings are fickle and
unreliable. Faith in God and His word is the only way for this world to be
sensible.
5 Let your conduct
be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So
we may boldly say:
“The
Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Love Jesus and be content.
In love it is God who says, "I will never leave you nor forsake
you" (quote of Deuteronomy 31:6). These words are an expression of
God's love toward us. He is committed to be faithful to us because He loves us
so. Our attitude in love therefore should be, "The Lord is my helper; I
will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Quote from Psalm 118:6; cf.
also Joshua 1:5). When you are in love with Jesus, this is the attitude of your
heart. With Jesus affirmed to always be with us and to never forsake us we
don't have to covet or not be content. The implication is that with Jesus we
have all we need.
"Covetousness" (Greek aphilargyros) means without covetousness, not greedy, not desirous of filthy lucre, not
avaricious. Covetousness is wanting more of what you already have enough
of. To covet is to have a mindset and spirit of always wanting more.
"Content" (Greek arkeo) means be enough, be
satisfied, sufficient, to ward off a desire or lust for more. True and
lasting contentment can only come through a saving relationship with Jesus.
This doesn't mean we don't pursue or purchase things. It means that what we do
pursue and purchase are the things God desires for us and has confirmed is His
will for us to have.
Love brings satisfaction.
We can
practice the admonition of verse 5 to be content because of the promise in
verse 6 that Jesus will never leave
us. You see, the degree to which I realize the Lord is with me, the degree to which I enjoy His fellowship
intimately is the degree to which I will be content
continually.
When you’re
newly married—living on beans and decorating with bookshelves made of bricks and boards—you have very
little materially. But you don’t even notice it because you’re in love, and love brings true contentment and
satisfaction. So, too, if I’m in love with
the Lord, I will not covet. I will be content with whatever I have simply
because He is with me.[3]
It's believed that one of the reasons some Hebrews were
apparently considering a return to their old religious ways was that they were
under pressure to do so. They were being persecuted. But when persecuted the
presence of the Lord steadies us. That is why Psalm 118:6 is quoted here -
"The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" One
commentary states:
The
result of the Lord's abiding presence in the midst of His people is courage.
Knowing that He is with them,
they are filled with confidence and boldness. They echo the words of Psalm 118:6 which
is quoted here. In the middle of distress and suffering, their confidence rests with the Lord. They do not
have to be afraid of the pain, injury, or death which men may inflict. This was a strong encouragement
and exhortation to any of the Hebrew
Christians who may have been disposed to abandon their faith in the face of adversity.[4]
Christians in America are being further and further
marginalized and painted as second class citizens worthy of societal rebuke.
The world is tolerant of every group except Christians; who they accuse of
being "intolerant bigots." This is their response to those who stand
firm on the truth of the word. They don't care how much love is shown in the
truth stand of Christians. They see themselves as having won the culture war
and now want to exert their dominance of Christians. They have long left any
belief in absolutes and now are hell bent on anarchy, or at least freedom to do
whatever they want to do no matter how immoral and perverse it may seem to
someone with a Biblical worldview.
Worldly liberal propaganda is being spouted and portrayed
on TV, in music and every media in favorable if not preferable ways. Those who
resist this sinful onslaught will be persecuted. This verse is certainly being
proven true: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus
will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). This verse is delivered in
the context of what we can expect in the "last days" (2
Timothy 3:1-17). But we need to remember when the enemy comes in like a flood
the Spirit of God will raise up a banner against it (Isaiah 59:19). And those
who God calls and empowers to hold the banner of the Spirit need to remember, "The
LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Remember
that and stand strong.
7 Remember those who rule
over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow,
considering the outcome of their conduct.
Love remembers to follow biblical examples of the faith. In chapter
eleven we were given biblical examples of those who lived by faith. All of
these had a love for God that drove them to persevere and sacrifice as well as
to be victors over and in trials. These
are examples we should follow. But we should also follow the examples of the
pastors and godly leaders that presently oversee us. Love moves us to always be
"considering" (Greek anatheoreo)
or looking closely at and attentively at,
observing accurately to learn and follow the godly conduct of those in leadership.
8 Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Love focuses on
Jesus for our past, present and future. Jesus doesn't change. His
redemptive work is superabundantly sufficient for all our past, present and
future needs. To love Jesus is to accept such truth by faith. Jesus isn't
capricious. You can count on Jesus. Jesus isn't transient. He is always there
for you. If you want a love that will always get you through, then love Jesus.
9 Do not be carried about
with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be
established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have
been occupied with them.
Love isn't carried
away by strange teachings. Love trusts in God's truth. It has been said, "On the Cross, Jesus didn’t say, “To be continued.” He said,
“It is finished.” Sacrifices,
self-effort, works of the flesh, or anything else that diminishes this is a
strange doctrine." [5] If it isn't in
God's word then don't be drawn to it. Let your desires be the holy desires
found in God's word. Let your objectives be God's objectives found in His word.
Let your purposes and meaning in life be those based on God's word. Don't eat
the cotton candy religion of the world. It will only lead to clogged spiritual
arteries and the loss of your spiritual teeth. Feed on God's meat and potatoes
of His word. You'll be healthier and blessed in holiness.
As you rely on God's word rely on it in context. Cults and aberrant doctrine is the product of taking
scripture out of context. Always look at the immediate context of the portion
of scripture you are basing your belief on (e.g. sentence, paragraph, chapter,
segment). Also see if what you are interpreting jives with the book under study
as a whole, Testament as a whole and then Bible as a whole. Let the plain sense
be accepted as common sense. Be inductive; ask observational questions and keep
asking them as you study through. Don't be merely deductive which is to
establish your beliefs and doctrine before
you come to Bible study, then only seek out passages of scripture favorable
to your leanings. That can lead to "various and strange doctrines,"
"various" (Greek poikilos)
meaning motley, multicolored, and "strange"
(Greek xenos ) meaning foreign, alien, entertaining, without the
knowledge of, unheard of, "doctrines" (Greek didache) or teachings that are out of line with the truth of God's word. If the Bible isn't definitive on something
don't go out on a limb to be dogmatic on your preference. There are things we
won't understand or have a clear teaching on this side of heaven. That's
because we are human and limited. That's because God is God and well, God (cf.
Deuteronomy 29:29).
It is love and relationship that separates the Old from the
New Covenant. Grace flows from the loving heart of God. Because God loves us He
sent His only Son Jesus to die for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). There were some
Hebrews who had lost sight of how much God loves them. Their attention had been
diverted from God by the size of the Temple and the ceremony of its rituals.
The same can happen to us if we allow size, spectacles, and shows to divert our
attention from the love and grace of God. Love God. Trust His truth. Don't
stray to the things of this world or those who hang a banner of God's name over
their doorway but when you enter in it's just more of the world's ways.
10 We have an
altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
Love is decisive. Notice
Paul speaks of an either/or decision needed to be made here. "We have
an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat." This
is not religion by piecemeal. This is not picking and choosing what you want to
believe and making up your own religious cocktail. You either believe in the
sufficiency of the gospel of Jesus Christ as laid out in this letter or you do
not. Those who choose to rely on the religion and traditions of the Old
Covenant ways "have no right" to eat at the altar of Jesus or
His communion table.
11 For the bodies of those animals,
whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are
burned outside the camp.
Love burns the
flesh. The power and efficacy is in the blood not the flesh. It is the blood of the sacrifices that
was used not the flesh (unless in a peace or fellowship offering). The blood
was used to sprinkle the altar. The animals carcasses were then burned outside
the camp (13:11; Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:21). In the first Passover the Angel
of the Lord passed over the homes of those whose doorways were marked with the
blood of the sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12-13). Now in Christ all the sins
previously passed over, all present sin and all future sin is sufficiently
atoned for with the blood of Jesus (cf. Romans 3:21-26). Our fleshly
self-reliant ways count for nothing. It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us
from all our sin (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7).
12 Therefore Jesus also,
that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the
gate.
Love realizes the power of the
blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is an essential of the church of Christ.
Jesus blood, relying on it and proclaiming it, is not optional but is
essential. You will never be all you can be in Christ separate from the blood
of Jesus. If you are in a church that disregards or diminishes the blood of
Jesus in any way, leave it. A church is not a church apart from the blood of
Jesus.
13 Therefore let us go
forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
Love follows Jesus
away from religion. The reason for the writing of this epistle was that
certain Hebrews who had trusted in Jesus as Savior were being tempted by the
magnificence of the Temple and the culture of their Jewish traditions. They
were being tempted to leave their relationship with Jesus and go back to their
old religious ways.
One commentator states the bottom line of these words
are:
“Get out of
the camp,” admonishes the author. “Leave the city. Leave religion. Leave traditionalism. Leave rules, rituals,
incense, and candles. Leave it all.” Contrary to the present fascination with icons and old pictures of Jesus and
the disciples, the call of the entire
New Testament is to walk by faith and not
by sight.[6]
Another states:
There is a symbolism in the location of the sacrifice of Jesus and that of the animals. Those who go to Calvary, to the altar of Jesus, can no longer serve and worship at the altar of the temple or tabernacle. They must leave Israel, that is, go outside of the camp and away from the Jewish system. Therefore, professing Jewish Christians had to leave the Jewish altar and rites and identify themselves clearly with Jesus. In doing this they accepted the "reproach" (oneidismon, see also 11:26) which comes upon those who identify themselves with Christ.
The situation faced by the Hebrew Christians was not new. Moses and all true believers who have come after him suffered because of their allegiance to the Messiah (John 15:19; 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). There is a stigma associated with true faith; believers must be prepared to bear it: they cannot be friends with Jesus and partners with the world at the same time.[7]
Are you willing to go outside the camp with Jesus? To go
outside the camp means you are willing to leave the crowd and follow Jesus. To
go outside the camp means to put Him first above all others. It means to
present yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). It means to turn away
from what the majority camp is saying and follow Jesus on the narrow way (e.g.
Matthew 7:13-14).
14 For here we
have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore
by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the
fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do
not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased.
Love lives a life
of worship. What does this mean? What does living a life of worship really
mean?
Worship living has
eternal priorities. It means we discard or hold loosely (for God to use or
remove at His will) the things of this world. We live out the attitude of - "For
here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." In
other words we aren't living to build our own kingdom. We live to build His
kingdom.
Worship living
voices praise and thanks to God. Paul says, "Therefore let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to His name." When we join together in worship and
sing it is a love offering to God (or
should be). Praise and worship from our lips should be a normal outgrowth of a
God transformed love infused holy heart. When was the last time you said out
loud "Praise God!" or "Thank You Lord"? When was the last
time you sang in worship loud enough that someone could hear you? We can bless
God with our voices. Sing to the Lord my brothers and sisters in Christ!
Worship is doing
good and sharing. Paul says, "But do not forget to do good and to
share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." That he is
inspired to say "don't forget" means it's possible and likely
we will forget. This is something that we should pay attention to. We should be
agents of doing good things for others. We should be encouragers. We should be
comforters. We should live with open hands willing to share with others in
need. We worship when we sacrifice for others. With this kind of practical
worship "God is well pleased."
17 Obey those who
rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those
who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that
would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us; for we are
confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live
honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that
I may be restored to you the sooner.
Love cooperates with
and encourages leaders. The word "obey" (Greek peitho) means to assent, to agree, to have confidence in , to be friendly toward, to
trust, to yield, to obey, "Those who rule over you" (Greek
hegeomai) refers to those who lead, those who govern, those who rule
over. This would include the pastor and leaders of the local church. "Submissive"
(Greek hypeiko) means to surrender to, submit to, to resist no
longer, to give way to, to yield to, to yield to their admonition and
authority. To obey and submit to local leadership should be the rule. But
it is not a rule that is unquestioned. All Christians, including leaders, are
to submit to the word of God. When the relationship between those leading and
those being led is right then leaders and the flock of God will fulfill their
parts "with joy and not with grief."
Being a pastor or church leader is a huge responsibility.
The pastor and church leader "Watch for your souls, as those who must
give account." There will be an accounting to God for all those who minister
in the church. The pastor will give an account to God concerning his
faithfulness to His word and in service to the flock entrusted to him by God.
The same is true for any assistant or associate staff ministers as well, I
believe, as Sunday School teachers and all servants in the church. And those
who have chosen to not serve will also be held accountable to God (cf. 1
Corinthians 3). If you love God and serve Him in the love of Christ with all
your heart you have nothing to fear. One
commentator explains:
The love for God and for one another which has been under consideration in this section is to be directed also to local church leadership. Because of their position and the relationship of trust which exists, Christians are to "obey" those who are leading (hēgoumenois) them. They are to place themselves under ("submit" to) their leaders in a spirit of yieldedness (hupeikete). These leaders are alertly watching over the "souls" (psuchōn, "lives," "persons") under their care as those who are responsible and who will have to give an account of their guardianship. The reference here is to the general watchful care of local church leaders over the congregation of saints.
The members of the congregation are admonished to follow their leaders in a quiet and gentle manner so the leaders will find the responsibility of oversight art enjoyable task. The alternative is groaning (stenazontes)—laborious chafing and struggling under the unpleasant task of shepherding a flock of wayward strays. It is far better for a congregation to follow its leadership peaceably. When there is resistance and rebellion, joy turns into alusiteles, something which is confining, inferior, unprofitable, and disadvantageous.[8]
One of the most important things a congregant to do for
their pastor and church leaders is to pray for them. Paul says, "Pray
for us." If you have a problem with your pastor or church leaders we
might be partly to blame. A pastor or church leader may be a reflection of the
prayers or lack thereof of their people. If you love your pastor and church
leaders, or if you don't, pray for them. Prayer has a way of moving God's hand
to straighten things out.
20 Now may the God of peace
who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you
complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well
pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever
and ever. Amen.
Love relies on the
blood of Jesus. The idea of "the blood of Jesus" is not popular
in our contemporary scene. People shy away from what they perceive to be
distasteful, gruesome, or too vivid images of any bleeding including the
bleeding or blood of Jesus. But by shying away from the blood of Jesus the
church has lost its power. It is "Through the blood of the everlasting
covenant [Christ's blood] . . ." that we are made "complete
in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His
sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Christian,
we need the blood of Jesus. The world needs the blood of Jesus.
The phrase "make you complete" is from a
single Greek term - katartidzo. Katartidzo
means restore, fix, mend. It is a
word used to describe the setting of a
broken bone, or the mending of a
fishing net, or readying a ship for a
journey, or equipping an army for
battle. It is through the blood of Jesus everlasting covenant that broken
relationships can be set and healed. It is through the blood of Jesus that our
broken nets of finances and resources can be patched. It is through the blood
of Jesus that we are readied for our journey in this life as well as for our
journey from this life to eternal life with God. And it is through the blood of
Jesus that we are equipped for the spiritual battles we face. I like what Bible
Teacher and Pastor Jon Courson says about these verses:
Thus, it is
through the blood that the broken bones of our bodies, our relationships, and our fellowship are set right. It is through the
blood that the holes are mended in the nets of
our vocation and finances. It is through the blood that we journey on toward
heaven. It is through the blood that
we battle against the Enemy. Physically, relationally, vocationally, spiritually, and eternally we are made perfect not
by studying, counseling, or
seminars. We’re made perfect by one thing only: the blood of the everlasting
covenant.
The blood
has been supplied. The question is, is it being applied?' [9]
How might we apply the blood of Jesus to our lives? In
the end times saints overcome the advances of the enemy by the blood of the
Lamb Jesus (Revelation 12:10-11). This is because by the shed blood of Jesus on
the cross, Jesus has earned the right to take back the title deed of the earth
forfeited to Satan the serpent by Adam (Genesis 3 and Revelation 5). Imagine
this scenario laid out as illustration by Jon Courson:
Suppose while I’m at church, someone moves
into my house. Finding this guy sitting in
my living room, I dejectedly head to the market, get a shopping cart, and start
walking the streets.
“What
are you doing, Jon?” you would ask me.
“I’m
homeless,” I would say. “I went to church, and somebody moved into my house. I’m defeated. I’m discouraged.”
“Let
me get this straight,” you’d say. “Someone moved into the house you bought— and you just let him have it?”
“Yeah,”
I would answer. “I don’t know what else to do.”
“Do
you have a title deed to the house?” you’d ask.
“Yes.”
“Well, go get the
authorities. Show them the title deed, and move back into your house. It’s yours.”
The same
thing happens spiritually. Satan has no authority, no right, no hold on you.
All he can do is claim squatter’s rights
and say, “This depression will never lift. This addiction will never leave. Your daughter’s going to blow it.
Your son’s going to rebel. Divorce is
inevitable.” And what do we do? We get our shopping carts and wander the streets in despair.
Satan the
squatter takes up residence by falsely accusing us in three areas. Of our past
sin, he accuses us day and night,
saying, “You’ve fallen in this area so many times. You’ll never make it.” But the way we overcome
past sin is by the blood.
“Wait a
minute, Satan,” we must say, “I may have failed a billion times, but the blood
of the Lamb is absolutely
inexhaustible. You might accuse me night and day, but the blood of Jesus Christ covers me completely, for
where sin abounds grace abounds even more (Romans
5:20).
Concerning
our present struggles, Satan cannot grasp, grip, or dominate any area to which the blood has been applied. I can
choose to give in if I wish; I can succumb if I want. But in reality, the Enemy has no authority whatsoever
because of the cleansing power
of the blood.
Regarding
future salvation, I think of Noah, who, in construction of the ark, provided a place of salvation for his sons and their wives
twenty years before his sons were even born.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved—and thy house,” declared Paul (Acts 16:31). Am I
suggesting salvation is inherited? No, everyone must make his own decision. But, like Noah, I can provide a
place in which Satan will not be able
to seduce my son or my daughter into walking away from the Lord if I apply the blood to my house.[10]
The blood has been supplied by Jesus. The question is,
will we apply it.
We need to apply
the blood to our homes and families. We need to apply the blood of Jesus by
faith to the doors of our homes like the Israelites did symbolically in the
first Passover (Exodus 12-13). Everyone who enters our home should find a
redemptive, gracious, loving, Christlike environment. And that should be
reflected in what we allow in our homes, e.g. what we watch on TV, listen to on
the radio or Internet, what we read, everything in our homes should be cleansed
by the blood of Jesus. Does your home reflect Jesus? Have you sprinkled the
blood of Jesus on your home?
We need to apply
the blood of Jesus to ourselves. In Leviticus 14:10-18 the blood of
sacrifice was applied to the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe. This
symbolizes applying the blood of Jesus to what we hear or listen to, to what we
set our hands to do, and to where we walk. Have you applied the blood of Jesus
to yourself? Have you asked the Lord to apply His blood standard to your life?
One way provided by Jesus to apply His blood is at the
Communion Table. We need to apply the blood regularly through communion at the
Lord's table. By faith when we come
to the Lord's Table and commune with Him we need to renew and refresh our
consideration of the power of His blood. It isn't that the blood has not been
fully supplied by Jesus. The problem is that we frequently faith to apply the
blood He has supplied to our lives. We enter the presence of God by the blood
of Jesus. We are by the blood of Jesus victorious over sin and everything that
would hinder our experiencing fully the presence of God. The blood has been
supplied. Will it be applied? That's the question.
22 And I appeal
to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you
in few words.
As a pastor I can relate to Paul's idea that thirteen
chapters (13) of a letter to him is considered "in a few words." Ha!
23 Know that our
brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes
shortly. 24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the
saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you
all. Amen.
With mention of the news that Timothy has been set free
apparently from prison. Paul also expresses hope that he too would be set free
and come with Timothy to see them. He send his greetings and ends with "Grace be with you all. Amen."
This has been an incredible study on God's provision for
coming into His presence. It has been a letter focused on Jesus and our
relationship with Him. It is by grace through faith and the working of the Holy
Spirit in and through us that what we have studied can be applied in our lives.
And similarly we should hope and pray that what we have learned we are
empowered by God to pass on to others.
In concluding this blessed epistle to the Hebrews we might
be overwhelmed by our weaknesses and the easiness with which our attention is
diverted from the Lord. We may look at the world see a hopeless mountain or
immovable object. We may feel we are just a drop in the bucket. But never
forget or minimize what God can do through a single person yielded to Him in
faith. Never forget God's grace. Jesus Himself is a perfect example of this for
us to follow.
One Solitary Life
He was born in an obscure
village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him
He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth
When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life
In the end it's all about Jesus.
Without Jesus we can't. Without us He won't. But Jesus is our focus. When we
fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith God is able to take
us ordinary people and do extraordinary things for His glory. Just remember:
Not I, But Christ
Not
I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted;
Not
I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not
I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not
I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
Not
I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow
Not
I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;
Not
I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden!
Not
I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.
Christ,
only Christ, no idle word e’er falling;
Christ,
only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ,
only Christ, no self-important bearing;
Christ,
only Christ, no trace of “I” be found.
Not
I, but Christ, my every need supplying,
Not
I, but Christ, my strength and health to be;
Christ,
only Christ, for body, soul, and spirit,
Christ,
only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
Christ,
only Christ, ere long will fill my vision;
Glory
excelling soon, full soon I’ll see –
Christ,
only Christ, my all in all to be.
-
Mrs.
A.A. Worthington[11]
God bless you as you avail yourself of
God's provision, Jesus Christ, to enter
and live in His presence.
[1] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1508). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[3] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1509). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[4]
Complete Biblical Library Commentary - The Complete Biblical Library –
Hebrews-Jude.
[5] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1509). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[6] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1510). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[7]
Complete Biblical Library Commentary - The Complete Biblical Library –
Hebrews-Jude.
[8]
Complete Biblical Library Commentary - The Complete Biblical Library –
Hebrews-Jude.
[9] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (p. 1512). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[10] Courson,
J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application
Commentary (pp. 1513–1514). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
[11][11] Quoted
from Leonard Ravenhill, Revival God’s Way
(Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Pub., 2006) p. 44.
