The Superiority of Christ, continued
We continue with the comparison of the new sanctuary to the old. Verses 1 thru 6,
deal with a further comparison of the Dispensation of Law versus the Dispensation
of Grace.
Again we see the Author repeating himself. Here he reminds them and us of the
five ways that the Law was weak and ineffectual.
- The Law was but a "shadow" of what was to come. We talked of
this before.
- The Law was but a "mirrored" image of God's Grace.
- The forgiveness under the Law, was limited and did not change
the person. This was because of the nature of the sacrifice.
- The Law did not take away sin. there was no inducement for a
change of heart.
- The Law was only temporary. It was given for a time, to be
used until that which was perfect, would come. Animal sacrifices
were allowed until the time the real sacrifice was made.
These were the weaknesses of the Law.
Verses 7 thru 18, lists seven reasons why the Dispensation of Grace is superior to
the Dispensation of the Law, due primarily to the superiority of Christ as the true
High Priest, the true atoning sacrifice, the replacement for the Law.
- The frequency of this being prophesied in God's Word. Verse 7,
"Lo, I have come to do your will, Oh God, as it is written of
me in the book. God declared to His people through Moses and
the Prophets, that The Christ would come and be the Great High
Priest of the Church.
- The nature of the body of Christ. He was human. He was qualified
to be tempted as we and not fail, therefore, he was qualified to
be the perfect sacrifice. He was divine. This qualified Him
to be the Savior of the Word. Only God could qualify as Redeemer
of the sins of the world.
- The nature of His willingness. Christ did not have to die on the
cross. He could, at any time, have summoned legions of Angels
to deliver Him from the cross, but He did not. He was willing
to be the sacrifice that would deliver mankind from sin and
eternal damnation. From the time of His temptation, His eyes
were set on the cross. Verse 9, "Lo, I have come to do thy will,
O God." Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Not my will but thine,
O Lord."
- The design of His coming. He came to do God's will and to reveal
that will to us. He came as a King, to give divine laws and as
a Priest, to fulfill all righteousness.
- The perfection of His sacrifice. Verse 14, "By one offering, He
has forever perfected those that are sanctified." He will
perfectly deliver those who are given to Him by the Father, from
all guilty, all punishment and will put them in possession of
perfect holiness.
- His present residence. Verse 12a, "He now sets at the right hand
of God...." The seat of power, the source of Grace, a place
of service, a place of highest honor.
- The witness of the Holy Spirit. Verse 15, "The Holy Spirit also
bears witness of Him." As a sign of the coming of the Messiah,
God had promised that He would pour out His Spirit upon the people.
These seven reasons or qualifications illustrate why the Grace of Christ is
superior to the Law.
His Walk of Faith, Holding Fast
["Click here for Hebrews 10:19-25"]
Here the Author sets forth the "privileges" of being saved and urges us to claim
them for ourselves. It is well that believers know what Christ purchased for them
at such cost. Here he lists two very important ones.
- Courage and confidence to enter the very presence of God. Notice
what this does for us. It establishes for us an audience with
God. It establishes for us a "light" to the scriptures. It
establishes for us liberty to search for Truth and freedom
to express that Truth. It establishes "right of access" by
reason of imputed righteousness. It establishes for us
assistance and boldness to speak as we are led of the Spirit
to speak.
- Assurance of salvation by reason of having Christ as our High
Priest, interceding for us. We enjoy these privileges because
of the shed blood of Christ. His death purchased for us this
and more, and we should lay hold of them as part of the joy
of our salvation which Christ purchased for us.
So Christ purchased for us a "way" into the presence of God. Less we should be
tempted to seek some other way into God's presence, the Author assures us that
Christ's way is the only way. Now in the beginning there was a way to the "Tree of
Life" there in the Garden of Eden, but man sinned and was removed from the Garden
and no other way was provided until the coming of Christ. So Christ's Way is the
new way it is also the only way and the last way that will open to man. Those
who do not enter this way, will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Christ's Way is also a "living way". The resurrection of Christ proved this.
Because Christ lives, we to, by faith, will live. Lastly, it is a way that has
been purchased and secured. As such, we have complete assurance that it will
accomplish that for which it was originated. "Blessed assurance to the believer
who, by faith, accepts "The Way", for the way of the cross, leads home."
Now verses 22 and 23 shows us that with those privileges comes responsibilities.
- It is our responsibility to "draw near" to God, willingly.
It would be the greatest ingratitude toward God to claim
His gifts and remain a great distance from Him. We must
draw near to God to take hold of His covenant, to talk to
Him, to walk with Him, to worship at His feet, and to fall
"under the shadow of His wing".
- To do the first of there responsibilities, we must approach
God willingly, with a "true heart". Without reservations,
without hypocrisy, for God is a searcher of the heart,
sincerity is a must in the approaching of God.
- It is our responsibility to approach God with full assurance
of faith in Christ's ability to save us and keep us and
present us "faultless". To doubt the assurance of your
salvation is to doubt the work of the cross.
- It is our responsibility to keep our conscience reasonably
clear. It is hard to approach God with a hurting conscience.
To do this, we must accept the forgiveness of sin and approach
God, not free from sin, but free from the guilt of sin.
- It is our responsibility to approach God with our bodies "washed
with pure water". Some believe that Paul was speaking of the
waters of baptism but I believe he is speaking of the baptism
of the Holy Spirit. Cleansed by the Spirit from all evil
and unworthiness.
Then after we have claimed these privileges and observed these responsibilities, we
are told to "hold fast" to the faith. To do this we must be unwavering in our
beliefs, embrace the truths of the Gospel, resist temptation and doubt and when we
have done these things, we will be steadfast and immovable. Why should we strive
for this firmness of faith? The Author says in verse 23, "That we should be
faithful because God is faithful." It is the least that we can do.
Verses 24 and 25 show us ways whereby we can remain steadfast in our faith. The
instructions are simple.
- Encourage one another to love and to do good works.
- Fellowship and worship in love together.
Verse 24 says, "Let us consider how we might stir up one another to love and do
good works." I think sometimes that we have dedicated ourselves to "stirring up"
one another, but not to love and good works. Churches are being torn apart by
disagreements and differences between the members. So it is important that we hold
fast to our faith and walk in love with one another.
Walk of Faith, the Fourth Warning
["Click here for Hebrews 10:26-39"]
These verses can be divided into 7 very serious considerations:
- The sin of Apostasy. Apostasy is described as sinning willfully
after we have received the knowledge of truth. Verse 26 and
27 says, "If we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge
of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but
a fearful prospect of judgment." This statement has created
great distress to believers for some peddlers of doom have said
that this means that every sin, after we are saved and have a
knowledge of right and wrong, is unpardonable. This is not
true. Remember, the Author is talking about Apostasy. This
is total and final rejection of Christ which is unforgivable.
This some people do after they have heard God's plan of salvation
and are knowledgeable of its truths. This is a very serious
condition. God will not always strive with those whom He has
enlightened.
- The second consideration is the doom that is pronounced upon
such people. Rejection of Christ, God's plan of salvation,
leaves the way open for God's judgment. The Lord will
judge the lost, there will be no second chance. Hell is
prepared for those who do not accept Christ as their Lord
and Savior.
- The third serious consideration spoken of here is the "condemnation
of the conscience" of the Apostate. To deny the person of Christ,
when He is revealed to you, brings punishment in this world and
in the next. Look what these people do. They count the blood
of Christ, with which we are saved, as "an unholy thing". If
you deny the divinity of Christ, you deny the holiness of His
blood. There are people, even in our churches, who have had the
nerve removed from their conscience. They profess a form of
godliness, but deny the power of it. There are two basic thoughts
about these people. One, the Holy Spirit never dealt with these
people. The have an intellectual understanding of the Word.
(Calvinism) Two, they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit,
but resisted Him, refusing, by reason of pride, the salvation
offered. (Martin Luther)
- The fourth serious consideration is the result of such rejection
of Christ. Verse 30 says that revenge belongs to the Lord.
He will execute it upon those who refuse His Grace. Surly, it
will be as the Author suggests, "It is a fearful thing, to fall
into the hands of a living vengeful God."
- The fifth serious consideration is the results of accepting Jesus
Christ. It is a serious thing to be a Christian. These Hebrews
suffered persecution, they were publicly exposed and some had
been killed. Even today, there is a price to pay if you truly
live your faith.
- The sixth serious consideration is the need to accept the assurance
of your salvation. If you doubt this, you doubt the work of
the cross. If you doubt this, you loose the Joy of your salvation.
We must completely rely upon Christ, He is able to save us and
keep us, for now and eternity.
- The seventh and last of these serious considerations is perseverance.
Faith requires perseverance. We must persevere in the good times
as well as the bad. Faith maintains a spiritual life that thrives
in all conditions of life.
So the fourth warning from the Author is the doom of Apostasy or the unforgivable
sin of rejection Christ, God's plan of salvation for mankind.
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