What about the “If”s in Hebrews?
November 23, 2020 at 3:21 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 5 CommentsTags: commentary on Hebrews, eternal security, eternal security of the believer, Hebrews 10, Hebrews 3, Hebrews 6, once saved always saved, perseverance of the saints, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
Question: There are a lot of “if”s in the Book of Hebrews. Many of them make it sound like it’s possible for a Christian to lose his or her salvation. Is it possible that the writer of Hebrews believed that Christians could lose their salvation?
Answer: The author of the Book of Hebrews is the Holy Spirit. The human instrument which He used to write it is not certainly known. For a long time it was believed by most Bible commentators that the Apostle Paul was used to write it, and I still believe that to be the case, although the majority view has changed, and most Bible scholars now believe someone other than Paul was used to write it. Regardless, though, of the identity of the human instrument, the Holy Spirit would not cause or allow the teaching of one book of the Bible to contradict the teaching of other books of the Bible. We need to establish that first and foremost.
By my count, there are 24 “if”s in the Book of Hebrews. Some of them, like Hebrews 3:6, 3:14, 6:6, and 10:38, do deal with the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer, or what some would call the perseverance of the saints.
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Hebrews 3:6
One of the key themes in Hebrews is that Christ is greater and better than all the Old Testament types which foreshadowed Him. In Hebrews 3:6 the Holy Spirit is showing that Moses was a faithful servant in God’s covenant “house” (the nation of Israel), but Christ is actually the “Son” in His own Father’s true spiritual household of faith, and that we who truly belong to Him will demonstrate our own brotherhood and sonship in that household by continuing to find our hope and joy in Him despite any persecution, trials, or suffering we experience between now and “the end” (the time when our faith becomes sight). This thought is reiterated a few verses later:
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Hebrews 3:14
Note how the “if”s do not imply that true “house members” and true “partakers” may fail to hold fast to the end. Rather, they indicate that failure to hold fast reveals false converts to be: (1) mere squatters in God’s household and; (2) people who appeared to partake of Christ without really doing so. (This is similar to the thought stated in Colossians 1:23.)
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.
Hebrews 6:6
Here the Holy Spirit uses an “if” to illustrate a hypothetical. For those who say that true believers can lose the salvation granted to them by God in Christ, they would have to (in order to be consistent) also admit that “re-salvation” would be impossible. Of course, this would make God a liar, which is the real impossibility – as explicitly stated later in the same chapter (vv. 17-19).
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38
Of course, those who “draw back” demonstrate that that are not the “just.” In other words they were never truly justified, unlike those who have believed “to the saving of the soul,” as shown in the very next verse.
The word “if” can be used in different ways. My daughter likes to play a game called “the floor is lava.” She hops from chair to couch to pillow to desk, trying not to let her feet touch the floor. I tell her that, IF the floor was really lava, I know she wouldn’t be so daring. No one hearing me say that would actually believe that our living room floor might suddenly turn to lava, but it makes a point.
On the other hand, I sometimes tell her, “IF you jump on the couch like that again, you are going to be in trouble.” That gives the “if” a whole different connotation. In a similar way “if” has various applications in Hebrews.
It can be a warning word, as in Hebrews 3:7. God will not be pleased IF we spurn His Word.
It can be a conditional word (Hebrews 3:8). Jesus would not tell us something IF it weren’t true.
It can be a hypothetical word (Hebrews 7:11). IF we could perfectly obey God’s law, we wouldn’t need a Savior. Obviously, it is established throughout Scripture that we can not be perfect, just as it is established that God’s salvation is a gift given by Him to those who are truly saved, and that it is not a gift of temporary life, but of eternal life, which, by its very definition and nature, can never be lost, refused, stolen, rejected, given back, or taken away.
Faith in God
July 11, 2018 at 9:52 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 9 CommentsTags: Biblical faith, commentary on Hebrews, commentary on Mark, faith, faith in God, Hebrews 11, Mark 11, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews, Sunday School lessons on Mark
In Christian ministry we try to balance correction with encouragement. We definitely want to make sure that, as Christians, we are not provoking God to anger by the hardness of our hearts, which is Bible terminology for a willful and obstinate refusal to obey Him. On the flip side, we should be jumping at opportunities to please God in any way we can, after all He has done for us. Well, if you are someone who has trouble with the concept of faith, there is no real nice way to say this: If we want to please God, there is absolutely no way to do it without faith.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Mark 11:22
It is one thing to believe that God exists. It’s a whole other thing to believe that He will do what He says He will do. Christians must believe that He is real; that He can do what He says; and that He will keep the promises He gives to those who obey Him.
In everyday English, if I say, “I really believe in my wife,” you would not take me to mean only that I believe that there is an existential entity named Laura Hampton. No, you would take me to mean that I have faith in her character. I believe she is going to do what she ought to do in a given situation.
Jesus knew God better than anyone knows God. When He told the Disciples, “Have faith in God,” He was telling them that God can and will do what He has said He will do. Vance Havner used to talk about the seemingly contradictory, but actually miraculous, power of faith, by saying that real faith believes the incredible, sees the invisible, and does the impossible. The miraculous is only the miraculous from our point of view. From God’s point of view there is no “miraculous,” because He can do all things (Mark 10:27). From God’s point of view nothing is invisible, because He sees everything (Matthew 6:4). From God’s point of view nothing that He says is “incredible,” because, as the only One Who can not lie, He is completely credible (Hebrews 6:18). As Christians, we must learn to “believe in God.”
Hebrews: Drawing Near to God
July 20, 2016 at 12:15 pm | Posted in Hebrews | 2 CommentsTags: Bible lessons on Hebrews, Bible study on Hebrews, commentary on Hebrews, drawing near to God, Hebrews, immanence of God, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
The Book of Hebrews offers five admonitions for living a confident and victorious Christian life:
1. Don’t slip when it comes to faithfully exercising your spiritual disciplines. Don’t stop praying, studying your Bible, attending church.
2. Don’t be suspicious of God’s trustworthiness.
3. Don’t be stunted in your spiritual growth. Eat God’s nourishing Word, rest on His promises, and exercise yourself in walking with Him.
4. Don’t slander God’s Word by acting like it’s not true.
5. Don’t spurn God’s Word by disbelieving or thinking it doesn’t apply to your special circumstances.
There are several themes in the Book of Hebrews: the supremacy of Christ over all His Old Testament types; finding a confident and sure “rest” by “entering in” to the promises of God; Christ’s role as our Great High Priest; and others. But the theme that really stood out to me the first time I studied through Hebrews was the theme of drawing nearer and nearer to God. I believe the two key verses to unlocking the book are:
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 7:19
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22
We can draw nigh with confidence into the Holiest to truly consider the glory of God in the person and work of Christ. We can draw near by growing in holiness, by faith, by consistently seeking to be in His presence, by considering, provoking, and assembling with each other, by preparation for worship, and by a willingness to go forth. Draw near to God in Christ and you will enter into your rest!
Here are links to the lessons on Hebrews:
1. Winning the Argument that Christ Is Better (Hebrews 1)
2. Two Thrones (Hebrews 1:8)
3. The Certainty of Christ’s Deity (Hebrews 1:10-13)
4. Don’t Let ’em Give You the Slip (Hebrews 1-2)
5. John Piper’s S.W.I.M. Prayer (Hebrews 2:1)
6. Don’t Let Go of the Rope (Hebrews 2:1)
7. He’s No Angel (Hebrews 2, 4:15)
8. Flesh and Blood (Hebrews 2:14)
9. Close Enough to Whisper in God’s Ear (Hebrews 3-4)
10. Restless Unbelief (Hebrews 3)
11. What about the “If”s in Hebrews?
12. The Labor of Rest (Hebrews 3-4)
13. Rest / Repentance (Hebrews 3-4)
14. The Invitation to Come Closer (Hebrews 4)
15. A Timely Word (Hebrews 4:12) *
16. Beware the Feeling of Formidability (Hebrews 5)
17. Don’t Stunt Your Growth (Hebrews 5)
18. When the Foundation Ceases to be Cute (Hebrews 6)
19. The Hard Work of Encouragement (Hebrews 6)
20. Safe and Secure: The Integrity, Infallibility, and Immutability of the Savior (Hebrews 6:1-12; 7:23-25; 12:2; Romans 8:35-39)
21. Partakers Overtake Undertakers (Hebrews 6:4-6)
22. Anchored Upward (Hebrews 6)
23. The Certain Hope (Hebrews 6:18-19)
24. A Unique and Superior Priesthood (Hebrews 7)
25. The Testator as Intercessor (Hebrews 7)
26. The Meaning, Majesty, Ministry, and Maintenance of the Mediator (Hebrews 8)
27. The Old Covenant Sanctuary and the New Covenant Sanctuary (Hebrews 9)
28. The Greatest Sacrifice (Hebrews 10)
29. The Danger of Slandering God (Hebrews 10)
30. Catechism Question 19 (Hebrews 10:12)
31. Faith Illustrated (Hebrews 11)
32. Home Is Where Your Lord Is (Hebrews 11)
33. A Hopeful Hike (Hebrews 11:5-6)
34. Faith in God (Hebrews 11:6)
35. Abraham and Isaac Receiving Christ in a Figure (Hebrews 11:17-19)
36. How God Prepares Leaders (Hebrews 11:23-29)
37. A Closer Race with Thee (Hebrews 12)
38. Racing Tips (Hebrews 12:1)
39. The Author of the Story that Never Ends (Hebrews 12:2, 7:25, 6:18)
40. This Is Going to Hurt Me More than It’s Going to Hurt You (Hebrews 12)
41. Moving Toward the Immovable (Hebrews 12:28-29)
42. Immutability for Today (Hebrews 13)
43. Why Is Marriage So Honorable? (Hebrews 13:1-8)
44. The Assurance of the Blood (Hebrews 13:20-21)
* most-viewed post in category
Immutability for Today
June 30, 2016 at 1:12 pm | Posted in Biblical Days, Hebrews | 10 CommentsTags: Christians leadership, commentary on Hebrews, Hebrews 13, immutability of God, Jesus Christ, pastors, spiritual leaders, Standing of the Promises, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
Hebrews Chapter 13 is a very practical chapter of God’s Word. It contains doctrine that can be applied to everyday life. In fact, throughout the whole Bible, duty is never divorced from doctrine.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8
This verse is often cited as a proof-text to try to convince people that God always works the same way, and that He does not operate differently in His relationship to creation during different dispensations or historical periods. That is not a correct use of the verse, but it is true that God’s character does not change. His qualities of love, mercy, grace, holiness, righteousness, and power are everlasting. He has been Father, Son, and Holy Ghost forever, and He will be forever. He cannot lie. That’s a comforting thing to know, a nice thing to know, and an important thing to know, but, in addition to providing comfort and assurance about the trustworthiness of God, it also has very practical outworkings in the daily lives of Christians.
Take, for example, the responsibility of the believer toward his or her spiritual leaders.
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Hebrews 13:7
Though leaders change from one to another, and though they might change in the sense of moral failure or being undependable, we must remember that our ultimate responsibility is to follow and serve God, and that He is always the same when it comes to trustworthiness and dependability. We chiefly put our faith in God’s Word and His promises.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall;
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call;
Trusting in the Savior as my ALL in ALL;
Standing on the promises of GodStanding on the promises that cannot fail;
When the howling storms of fear and doubt assail;
By the living Word of God I shall prevail;
Standing on the promises of God
R. Kelso Carter
This Is Going to Hurt Me More than It’s Going to Hurt You
June 14, 2016 at 1:46 pm | Posted in Common Expressions, Hebrews | 7 CommentsTags: chastening, chastisement, commentary on Hebrews, common expressions in the Bible, corporal punishment, discipline, Ephesians 4, Hebrews 12, punishment, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
Chastening is sometimes referred to as punishment, but since it really has a goal of correction, rehabilitation, and restoration, it would probably be better thought of as discipline rather than punishment. Strictly speaking, a criminal sentenced to prison has not been chastened; he has been punished to pay a price for doing wrong regardless of whether he mends his ways. However, punishment may turn out to be chastening, depending on the response of the person being punished. Punishment has to do with the goal of the punisher, although it may be transformed into chastisement in the mind of the one being punished. Chastisement has to do with the goal of the chastiser and the response of the one being chastised. It is very important to understand this distinction. When I chastise my children, they can respond in one of two ways: (1) with bitterness and a determination not to be broken; or (2) with a contrite heart and willing obedience. Can there be joy in chastening? Not during – it’s grievous for both parties while it’s going on.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:11
The oft-parodied parental expression from the parent about to administer a spanking to his child is, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you,” and, although the child would beg to differ, it is true that it does hurt a loving parent to chastise his child with corporal discipline. But think how much more it must hurt our loving God!
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Grief is worse than sadness or mourning. Grief is a painful regret mixed with indignation and sorrow. It’s an amazing thing that I can grieve the Holy Spirit – I ought to strive not to do it – but, when I’m chastened, I must respond to it the right way, and grow and profit from it. If I don’t, I will be guilty of spurning the Word of God and making the chastening a root of bitterness. It’s bad enough to have a root of bitterness springing up between believers, but the devil wants a root of bitterness to spring up between me and God. When I am tending the garden of my heart, it’s not enough to love flowers – to love the spiritual fruit I should be bearing. I must also hate weeds, and be constantly digging up the roots of bitterness.
The Bible calls the tool that you use to discipline your children “the rod of correction.” We sometimes call it a “paddle,” and there is another spiritual (albeit embarrassing) lesson in the Bible about the “paddle.”
And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:
Deuteronomy 23:13
Most translations say “equipment” or “spade” or “implement,” but the King James Version calls it a “paddle.” The paddle in this verse is for burying – outside the camp – that which would defile and make unclean a camp of God’s people. That’s what we need to do with bitterness – deal with it – go outside the camp and bury it – not bring it in among the family of God.
In the Christian race, we are to look diligently.
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Hebrews 12:15
We are to look diligently for a root of bitterness, because such a root will hinder our relationship with God, and because, by it, many will be defiled. If we don’t look where we’re running, we might step in something and track it into the house of another believer, or worse, into the house of the Lord – the local church – and cause a big stink.
A Closer Race with Thee
May 23, 2016 at 1:41 pm | Posted in Hebrews | 4 CommentsTags: 2 Timothy 2, commentary on Hebrews, drawing close to God, drawing close to Jesus, endurance, Hebrews 12, Jesus Christ, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
Hebrews Chapter 12 starts of with a “wherefore,” which – similar to a “therefore” – reminds us to take into consideration what we’ve just learned.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1
The witnesses are the heroes of the faith from Chapter 11, and they are not “witnesses” in the sense of being spectators. They are witnesses in the sense that their testimonies, and what we know about them from the Bible, witness to us. Their testimonies let us know that, if they did it, we can do it, too.
If the Christian life is a race, we need training for the race – and the training is ongoing as we run at different levels, drawing nearer and nearer to God:
One, we look at those who have finished the race – and won the race – before (the cloud of witnesses, patriarchs of the faith).
Two, we consider what kind of shape we’re in to start. Are we weighted down? Weights are useful for training, but no one would run the actual race with his weights. A batter in the on-deck circle does his practice swings with a weighted donut around the barrel of the bat, but he makes sure to take it off before stepping up to the plate. In the Christian race we lay aside “every weight” – even so-called “harmless” things. Remember, the question for the mature believer who is drawing closer and closer to God is not, “What’s wrong with that?” but “What’s right with that?”
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
II Timothy 2:4
We lay aside every weight and “sins that easily beset us.” We know we can’t draw nigh while we’re all weighted down – especially with sin.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14
We are not going to come into the presence of God – as confident believers who know better – without some degree of holiness. We cannot have total and complete holiness, for this is impossible for flesh and blood, but we must have some holiness. God said, “Be ye holy; for I am holy,” and He wouldn’t have told us to do it if it was impossible.
Three, we look at the One Who truly did it.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:2-3
We have to draw close to “consider.” Christ is our best example for running the race. He didn’t use His powers to coast through His earthly life. Like Job, he was tempted, but to a far greater extent. He exercised faith – built up in prayer – used with the Word of God as a sharp weapon. Christ is not only our example, He is our enabler. He gives us the patience (really, endurance) and the strength to run the race.
Two Thrones
May 16, 2016 at 1:37 pm | Posted in Hebrews | 9 CommentsTags: commentary on Hebrews, commentary on Psalms, God's Throne, Hebrews 1, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Psalm 47, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews, Sunday School lessons on Psalms, throne of God
Years ago I read a quote that I really liked, and I jotted it down: “God has two thrones – one in the highest Heaven, and one in the humblest heart.” The problem is that I forgot to write down who said it, or where I read it. My best guess is that it is somewhere in a collection of volumes I have – compiled by Warren Wiersbe – of famous sermons by famous preachers on different topics. However, I haven’t been able to relocate it, so I can’t be certain of giving credit to who said it, although I have seen it attributed “on the internet” (a dubious source at best!) to D.L. Moody.*
In any event, I think of that quote often. First, I think about the amazing and fearful idea that the almighty, sovereign Creator and Lord of the universe would deign to take up residence on the petty little throne of my insignificant and obscure heart. What a simultaneously humbling and encouraging thought! And what a stark and convicting reminder of how often and how treacherously I am guilty of trying to weasel my way back onto that throne after I have supposedly ceded it completely to its rightful Owner and King!
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
Psalm 47:8
Second, I think of just how high the throne of the highest Heaven must be, and just how mighty must a King have to be Who would ascend to this throne. A well-known (and increasingly criticized and even ridiculed) evangelical plea says that we need to “ask Jesus into our hearts.” Regardless of the theological accuracy of the wording, the idea is astounding, for this Jesus on Whom we must call for our eternal salvation did Himself once ascend to the throne of the highest Heaven – as God, yes – but also truly as a man. Being an immutable being, if He has indeed “come into” my heart, and is indeed seated on the throne there, He must rule with the same authority invested in His Father’s throne on high. How dare I, mere creature, guilty of abominable and despicable treason, taint the holiness of His throne room or the air around the righteousness of His scepter with vanity or sin? What an exhortation to love, fear, obey, and live for Jesus!
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8
*See a similar quote here.
Faith Illustrated
April 12, 2016 at 4:03 pm | Posted in Hebrews | 5 CommentsTags: Biblical heroes, commentary on Hebrews, Hebrews 11, Romans 10, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews, Word Faith, Word of Faith
Hebrews Chapter 11 is often called “The Faith Chapter” of the Bible, or the “Hall of Faith,” or the “Hall of Fame of Faith” because it lists several “heroes” of the Old Testament, and what they were able to accomplish through their faith in God. However, it also teaches that faith is more than just a feeling and more than mental assent to a Biblical doctrine. Nor is Biblical faith totally separate from empirical and rational evidence.
One of the chief reasons we use the Word of God in evangelism is that there is power in the Word. Faith actually comes FROM hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). For Christians, the idea of “having faith” should never be separated from “living by faith.” Just as love – for Christians – is more of an action than a feeling, so faith – “saving” faith – is a faith that has the power to work. As we draw near to Christ by faith, we get sent out by faith, and empowered by faith.
We increase our faith by obedience and action, and it is also helpful to spend time with faithful people – to observe and to emulate faithful people. The pages of the Bible are full of people who pleased God through faith, and people who failed God by unbelief. Hebrews Chapter 11 records the success stories.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:4
Abel gave gifts to God by faith, and was martyred for his faith, but his actions still speak today. He was the first in a long line of God’s people who died for the faith.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Matthew 23:29-35
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:5-6
Enoch was a man who grew closer and closer to God, until one day God drew him all the way to Himself in Heaven!
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Hebrews 11:7
Noah guided his family by faith, guided those who were faithful, and condemned the unfaithful world.
The line of faithful men continued with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, who, by faith, kept going toward a city that could only be seen by faith. The visible world they walked through each day was not – they knew – their real home.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Hebrews 11:24-25
Moses forsook a life of ease and pleasure, believing by faith that, no matter how scary the wilderness looked and how long it lasted (40 years), following God was safer than hiding from God.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11:31
Rahab, a condemned heathen harlot, was grafted into the ancestral line of Christ as an illustration of faith. After reading the Old Testament, we might be surprised at some of the other “heroes of the faith:” Gideon, the frightened farmer; Samson, the macho strongman, whose greatest service to God may have been in his death; Jephthah, impatient and illegitimate, who was used by God even though he wound up sacrificing his own daughter.
There is today a false doctrine out there called the “Word Faith” movement, led by wealthy preachers who say foolish things like, “If it’s in your mouth it’s in your future” and “Don’t keep praying – it shows a lack of faith; if you must pray, just express thanks that it’s already been done, instead of repeating and making supplication.” These false teachers say that the presence of real faith excludes the possibility of suffering. It is an error easily refuted by the Bible:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:36-38
Not only the Old Testament patriarchs, but New Testament martyrs as well, have suffered faithfully, without earthly deliverance. I hope you don’t believe that some television preacher with a Lear jet, six Rolls Royces, a tanning bed, and a beauty salon for his wife’s pet poodle has more faith than these wanderers in deserts and caves. These faithful martyrs named eternally in the everlasting page’s of God’s holy Word do not teach us that faith is “speaking forth blessings,” “pleading the blood” over our finances, or “naming and claiming it.” They teach us that faith is believing God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your saving grace. Thank You for making intercession for us before the Father. As You do so, let us draw ever closer and closer to You, and make us more like You today than we were yesterday. Amen.
The Danger of Slandering God
March 30, 2016 at 10:49 am | Posted in Biblical Danger, Hebrews | 11 CommentsTags: chastening of the Lord, church attendance, church membership, commentary on Hebrews, drawing back from God, drawing near to God, Hebrews 10, John 10, perdition, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Hebrews 10:19
Entering into the “holiest” is the ultimate in “drawing near” to God. Under the New Covenant, and its superior Sacrifice, we are allowed to come this close to God. “Drawing nigh” creates the image of pulling up forcefully and quickly and suddenly stopping – of getting as close as possible without becoming that to which we are drawing near. As Christians, we spend time preparing to draw near to God, and, even in our preparations, we are already “near,” but, as the shadows of the Old Covenant are fulfilled in the New, the sprinkling of the blood of animals becomes the sprinkling of our hearts from an evil conscience.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22
The washing in the laver becomes the washing of our bodies with obedience to the Word. We are motivated to try to keep ourselves clean (holy) in preparation for entering His presence, and abiding in His presence every minute of every day.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Hebrews 10:23
If he said we could do it – if He PROMISED – then we CAN.
The next verses exhort us not to forsake some things: do not forsake considering each other; do not forsake provoking each other; do not forsake assembling with each other. That’s one reason why it’s so important to attend a local church. Three things that help us to abide in God’s presence are His Word, His Spirit, and His Body, the local church. If you forsake any one of these three, you are on a dangerous path, and are placing yourself at the mercy of one of your three enemies:
1. The devil, who we fight with the Word.
2. The flesh, which is fought against in the power of the Holy Ghost.
3. The world, which we fight against with the local church.
This brings us to the fourth admonition in Hebrews:
1. Don’t slip.
2. Don’t be suspicious.
3. Don’t be stunted.
4. Don’t slander.
Slandering God is slandering His Word. It is living as though what He has said will not come to pass. It is living as if disobedience will produce no consequences.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:26
The Old Covenant provided no sacrifices for deliberate and willful sins.
He that despised Moses’s law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Hebrews 10:28
The punishment was execution.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 10:29
Who is more accountable? The lost person who slanders God? Or the saved person, who knows the truth about God, yet slanders Him anyway? Even forgiven sins have consequences.
We are saved through faith, and the victorious Christian must also LIVE by faith.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:38-39
The opposite of drawing near is drawing back. “Perdition” in Verse 39 is not eternal punishment or damnation, but it is a serious and severe punishment. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. He’s a living and a loving God. A saved person will never fall out of the hands of God – nothing shall pluck them out (John 10:28-29) – but a believer who slanders God by repeated willful deliberate patterns of sin – by drawing back farther and farther – WILL be dealt with by God.
The Deep End 
A Hopeful Hike
July 6, 2023 at 2:06 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 5 CommentsTags: Biblical walking, commentary on Genesis, commentary on Hebrews, Enoch, Genesis 5, Hebrews 11, Jude, Sunday School lessons on Genesis, Sunday School lessons on Hebrews
Do you like walking? Unless we are doing it for exercise or leisure, we generally try to avoid doing too much of it. You might walk around your neighborhood or take a walk in the park, or you might go hiking in the mountains or in the woods while you’re on vacation, but I doubt many people relish the idea of having a job where they would have to walk a long distance to get to work each day. If we had to walk to visit our relatives in another state instead of driving or flying, they probably wouldn’t see too much of us.
In Bible times, though, walking was the chief means of transportation. There were no airplanes or trains or cars or even bicycles, and few people possessed or owned the type of animal you could ride. The very first time that the word for walking appears in the Bible is in Genesis 3:8 where Adam and Eve heard God walking in the cool of the day and they tried to hide from Him because they had sinned against Him and didn’t want to see Him. This implies that walking away from God or apart from God means that sin is present. This makes sense, because the next time the Bible talks about someone walking is:
Genesis 5:22
Enoch’s walk with God was more than just putting one foot in front of the other and perambulating around the country. Let’s get a little background on Enoch:
Genesis 5:16-17
Jared was a descendant of Adam, through the line of Seth (as opposed to Abel or Cain).
Genesis 5:18-22
Some people will say that the birth of Enoch’s first son, Methuselah, when Enoch was 65, changed his life, and THEN he began to walk with God, but the Bible doesn’t really say whether he was walking with God already or not. Just because he walked with God after Methuselah was born doesn’t mean he didn’t also walk with God before he was born. We don’t really know for sure.
Hebrews 11:5
Enoch walked with God because he hoped to be with God forever. Don’t get the idea that, because the act of physical, literal walking (one of the first milestones in a baby’s life) is easy, walking with God, in the spiritual, figurative sense, is easy, or that it is common in this world. The Bible says that Enoch “had this testimony:” His walk with God PLEASED God. The people of Enoch’s day testified that Enoch was different. He lived differently. In a world of violence, lying, immorality, and lack of fear of God, he stood out.
The amazing thing about Enoch’s walk with God was not that Enoch was strong enough or fast enough or persistent enough to keep up with God. The astonishing thing is that God would slow down and walk with Enoch! Imagine a loving and patient father walking and carefully holding his child’s hand in a dangerous area – or in a peaceful setting.
Hebrews 11:6
No one seeks God unless God causes them to seek Him (Romans 3:10-12), but when God gives that desire, he rewards those who do it diligently. Enoch’s walk with God implies that he was God’s friend, and God shares his secrets and reveals His will to His friends.
One thing that God revealed to Enoch was a certain prophecy. We don’t really learn any of the details of what the Lord revealed to Enoch until near the end of the Bible in the Book of Jude:
Jude v.14
The “these” are what we call false prophets: people who say things about God that aren’t true, or people who claim that God told them something that He didn’t really tell them. These false prophets sometimes seem like they are successful, persuading false converts and open sinners of their lies, but they will NOT have the last word. They were judged in Genesis in a worldwide flood of death and destruction, and the ones who are doing it today will also be judged and condemned.
Watch the repetition of the word “ungodly” in the next verse, and imagine Enoch, walking with God, trying to be like God – just, honest, loving, and righteous – seeing everybody walking in the opposite direction:
Jude v.15
Enoch walked with God closely enough to know that there would be consequences for walking away from God, or walking against God, so he warned people about God’s judgment.
One day, after Enoch had been walking with the Lord for over three and a half CENTURIES, here is what happened to him:
Genesis 5:23-24
Remember, we saw in Hebrews 11:6 that God rewards those who not only believe that He’s real, but who diligently seek Him. He rewards them with His presence by causing them to find Him even in the temporal realm, but there is a greater degree of reward in eternity. Among Bible characters, Enoch can’t be truly said to be unique in this respect, but he is almost unique: He was one of only two people in the history of the world – so far – that went from this world to be with the Lord in Heaven, without dying on the way there. (Elijah was the other one – in a chariot, in a whirlwind of fire.)
Hebrews 11:5
There was Enoch – walking with God – and the next instant he was gone. He didn’t get sick and die. He wasn’t injured or killed. God just took him. He vanished from this world. He was “not found” – which indicates somebody was looking for him: maybe his family, maybe even those to whom he had prophesied concerning the judgment of God. Enoch’s disappearance is a picture of rapture before tribulation – or a least before judgment and destruction (see I Thessalonians 4, which starts with the idea of walking and culminates in the rapture). We may not be translated the way Enoch was (or we may, when Jesus comes back), but the idea of being translated (being instantly changed and removed from one realm to the other by someone more powerful than ourselves) is applied to us in Colossians 1:13 where it says that those who have been born again have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.
Do you have this hope? Are you walking with God, hoping in the promise of His eternal presence, His infallible prophecies, and His future reward?