Perfect, complete, lacking nothing

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1v3-4

Okay, God tells us to rejoice in our trials with all joy. Sounds great and when we think about it spiritually it even makes sense. But it would be nice to know why, wouldn’t it?

The nice thing is that God tells us the reason for suffering. He doesn’t just tell us to do and then leave us hanging. He tells is that our trials produce patience and that our patience does a perfecting work that at the end of the day makes us perfect, complete, and wanting nothing.

We hear the saying ‘no pain, no gain’ and that is not totally out of place here. In seems to be a principle of life that nothing comes easy. Strength always comes through trials. Soldiers will attest to the truth as will athletes. Training produces strength and training is not easy.

Our little AJ is about to go through a trial. He is going to hate it. If, after the procedure on his eye he has any vision he will have to wear a patch on his good eye. I cannot imagine the frustration of having the eye you can see out of blocked to force you to use the bad eye. It will be hard on him, and everyone around him. But the purpose is to give that weak eye strength. It may never be perfect and complete, but it may be functional as a result of the testing.

Our trials never seem to be an occasion for joy at the moment, but they do help us to mature. They do make us strong and mature and perfect and complete. And, if we let them work, they will leave us lacking nothing in our maturity.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, - James 1v2

‘All joy’ hardly describes the normal reaction to testing and trials. Instead of all joy words like panic, despair, fear, worry, anxiety, and fretfulness come to mind. When a trial comes we often get that awful feeling in the pit of stomachs, followed by a kind of breathlessness. Then we are all consumed with the trial and cannot get anything accomplished.

This week we got news that our grandson AJ has serious issues with his right eye. He may never have vision in that eye. When Jay first rang my thoughts were not ‘all joy.’ I got that awful gut feeling. I really don’t think there is a problem with our initial response - love, compassion, and concern are going to produce that kind of result. At that point we have a choice to make. Will we continue with the fear, despair, and anxiety or will we make another choice?

This is the point where we need to account the trial as all joy. We choose to consider the trial in a different way. We make the choice to account this trial as an occasion for joy instead of despair. We choose to see the situation from God’s perspective instead of our.

We don’t know yet if AJ is going to be able to see out his right eye. What do we do? Will our worrying, fretting, and anxiety help? Well, no. If we patiently wait to see how God is going to use it and in the meantime we worship, serve, and love Him we can begin the process of counting it as all joy.

Do good and share

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. – Hebrews 13:16

Most of the time a word like sacrifice is associated with spiritual sounding stuff. Please, don’t overreact, but when we think of sacrifice we think of the Old Testament, we think of Jesus on the cross, we think of giving, we think or praise, we think of thanksgiving, or any number of vitally important Bible truths. These truly are noble ideas and concepts of sacrifice.

But when we hear something like ‘do good’ or ‘share’ it sounds more like something we would tell our kids than spiritual instruction. Yet, here it is, right there in the Bible along with the sacrifice of praise.

What if I were to take those words of parental advice and picture them from my heavenly Father – ‘Roger, be good!’ ‘Roger, share!’ and saw these as Biblical sacrifice?

Do good. Share. It sounds pretty simple, but when we think about how important they are it really makes sense. Doing good means that I sacrifice my own selfish will and desires. It means I don’t always do what I want to do – it is a sacrifice. Sharing is obvious – it means I have to give up something of my own, be it stuff, money, time, or attention. It is obviously sacrifice.

Sometimes sacrifice is religious and spiritual and churchy. Sometimes it is very down to earth and practical. Both are vital. Both are real. And both are just as important.

Our sacrifice of praise

For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 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. – Hebrews 13v14-15

This morning was one of those mornings when I woke up in pity party pit. I won’t bore anyone with the reasons why I was there. Some may be considered somewhat serious, others were petty, and some were downright silly.

Then I open my Bible (actually read it on my phone) and am reminded that we don’t live in a ‘continuing city.’ Whenever I read this kind of thing the same old gospel song runs through my head – ‘This world is not my home…’

Once again, as I apparently need to be reminded over and over again, we seek a city to come. The way to get through this time of struggle is not to focus on what is going here and now, but to constantly offer up a ‘sacrifice of praise and give thanks to his name.’

As I sit here on a cold and snowy Irish morning I am warm and comfortable. I can pay my bills and buy food for our family. I have a good family. God has honoured me by allowing me to serve Him in another land. Our ministry has seen several people saved and Christians strengthened. We will have the chance this afternoon to share the gospel with about 25 children. My grandson, who needs surgery on his eye, will be in the hands of a qualified surgeon with the amazing technology of a laser scalpel.

I could go on and on and on, but I think we get the point. There is more to give thanks for than to complain about. There is more reason for praise than pity party pit.

Praise God for His reminder to praise. It is directed at Him, but it is good for me.

Bearing His reproach

Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. – Hebrews 13v13

This is a fascinating and challenging concept. As we go to Christ, into the world, we carry with us His reproach on the cross. As we go through life we do so with the joy of His salvation, but with the truth that He bore the cross for us. We often turn a cross into a piece of jewellery or a beautiful decoration. But the truth is that it was a cross of shame.

What amazes me is that too often we are ashamed of bearing Hs reproach. We keep quiet and are afraid to let the world know that we are His. Our reproach cost Him the pain and suffering of the cross. He bore that reproach gladly and willingly and we may be happy enough to wear a decoration, but we are somehow ashamed of Him in front of others?

He bore our reproach. Why do we have such a hard time bearing His?

A heart established by grace

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. – Hebrews 13v9

Isn’t it amazing how God uses His word at just the right time? I have been frustrated since I received news yesterday that a church was dropping our support because we did not agree with them on a tiny issue of personal separation. There are churches that have made what are insignificant petty issues into various and strange doctrines that determine practices such as missionary support.

I respect their right as local churches to make such decisions. They, after all, are accountable to God for their decisions and stewardship.

I am grateful for the lessons God has been teaching me. There have been times in my like when I was occupied with issues such as came up yesterday. With no real Bible basis I was consumed with this or that practice that I used to determine who was spiritual or worthy of my fellowship. When Hebrews was written the issue was foods. Today we have different issues, today we have different issues but the result is the same. These kinds have no profit to those who are occupied with them.

How much better it is to be established by grace. Praise God for His marvellous grace that frees us from human regulations and requirements. It is a blessing to be established by grace and not issues like food and practices.

The same

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13v8 

The Bible is full of comfort. God shows His love and compassion for us over and over again. I have to wonder, however, if there is anything of more practical everyday comfort and encouraging that the simple little phrase ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.’ 

Why is this so comforting? He promises to be with me no matter what challenge or difficulty I face Jesus is with me. When I remember that this is the same Jesus who created everything and the same Jesus who rose victorious over death and the grave how can I help but be comforted? 

This Jesus is exactly the same as He was when He did these marvellous works. He will never change in the future. No matter how much things change Jesus is the same. If everything I depend on falls apart Jesus will be the same. If the economy collapses Jesus will be the same. If all my friends leave me Jesus will be the same. In addition to being the same He is not going anyplace, at all, ever, no matter what. 

Jesus will never leave me. Jesus never changes. What more comfort and hope could we ask for? 

What can man do to me?

So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me? – Hebrews 13v6

 What is the result of the fact that the Lord is with us and will not leave us? The answer is here in verse six. We can now proclaim with confidence that God is our helper and because He is our helper we don’t have to be afraid of anything, man can do nothing to us outside of God’s divine plans. 

It is so easy to be afraid of our situations and circumstances. When we look around it can indeed be very scary. Things are changing and it seems like everything we have put our confidence is collapsing. 

But there is one source of confidence that will not collapse or fail. There is one source of confidence that never changes. The omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and eternal King of kings and Lord of lords is still my helper. We won’t leave and He won’t forsake.

What do I have to fear with Him as my helper? 

Total contentment

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." – Hebrews 13v5 

The world around us tells us that we need to go after whatever we can get, as much as we can get, and as quickly as we can get it. Like everything else it is easy to get totally caught up in that mindset. We start thinking that all this stuff around us really is important. We start thinking that if we don’t get it God is not being fair to us. We may even start thinking that we would be better off if we could just going after more stuff. We may start questioning why God does not let us have all this stuff. 

Then we are getting on dangerous ground. We are starting to think that maybe we know more than He does about what we need. We start getting our eyes off Him and on to our stuff instead. When we get to that point we are ready to really mess things up. 

That’s why Christ reminds us to live in contentment. This is not a motivation killing lethargy, but a contentment that knows that we do what we can and leave the rest to Him. We can’t get caught in the ‘gimme this gimme that’ mindset that destroys our service for Him.

 When it is all said and done we have all we need, because He promises that no matter what He will not forsake us – He will ‘oo may’ (never, ever, under any circumstances, no matter what) leave us. 

He is always there. He loves us. He is always good. In that we need to find our contentment.

 

Entertain strangers

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. – Hebrews 13v2

Hospitality is one of the character traits that God expects believers to posses and exercise. ‘Do not forget to entertain strangers…’ is the simple instruction.

God expects His children to treat everyone well and to open our hearts and homes to them. After all, we never really know who we are going to entertain. They could be anyone, and in this case they may even be angels. Now, I don’t know a whole lot about that, but I do know that God’s instruction to entertain strangers is a clear as it can be.

Don’t forget to entertain strangers – you never know who they might be!

Let brotherly love continue

Let brotherly love continue. – Hebrews 13v1

The word of God is amazing in its simplicity. Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest.

What do we do when someone is a jerk? Let brotherly love continue. What do we do when we can’t seem to reconcile a difference? Let brotherly love continue. What do we do when feelings and animosity arise? Let brotherly love continue.

We try all kinds of reasoning, rationale, and excuses in these situations. We want to make it complicated, but the word of God takes away those barriers. In these situations the answer is simple – choose to let brotherly love continue.

Difficulties are going to arise. Things are going to go badly. We are going to face difficulties with other Christians. But we have a choice. We can let the flesh rule and react by its directions or we can do the right thing – let brotherly love continue no matter what.

Unshakeable service for an unshakeable kingdom

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. – Hebrews 12v28

It doesn’t take long when we look around to notice the shakeableness of everything around us. Things are changing faster than we could have imagined. Long lasting banking institutions are failing. US auto manufacturers are in serious trouble. The once almighty dollar is on a roller coaster ride and the pound is not longer as sound as a pound.

There is one thing in the life of the believer that we know is not shakeable. We have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken. Because our eternal kingdom cannot be shaken we have a motivation to, by the grace of God, serve Him in an acceptable manner with all reverence and godly fear.

Why is it that we seem to have more time for our shakeable kingdoms than the unshakeable ones?

Just men made perfect

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, - Hebrews 12v23



What is this ‘general assembly and church of the firstborn registered in heaven?’ It is part of the list of things and people to which we have come at salvation. It is made up of just men made perfect.’

There is not a whole lot to say about this, but is a beautiful reminder of a coming event. As His children we have already been declared just by the blood of Christ, but one day our spirits will be made perfectly like Christ. Those ‘just men’ who have gone before us have been perfected and we will have the joy of seeing them again one day.

I am grateful that we have been made just by the blood of Christ. But I really am so tired of those wretched imperfections that affect me every day. One day I will join with those precious saints who have gone before in Christ-like perfection.

As sweet as fellowship is here today I cannot even imagine how precious it will be when we have all been made perfect. Imagine no more petty jealousies, no selfish disagreements, and no angry responses.

I’ve said it before – what a day that will be!

Registered in heaven

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, - Hebrews 12v23

I love this picture. One day the general assembly and church of the firstborn, already registered in heaven, will finally meet together.

Can you imagine that marvellous day? Today we are scattered all of the face of the earth. We are red, yellow, black and white. We are rich and poor, famous and unknown, educated and not. We live in megacities, cities, towns, villages, hamlets, and rural houses. We worship in different styles, we listen to different kinds of preaching, and we use different kinds of music. Despite all of this, every one of us who have accepted Christ as Saviour are a part of the great and marvellous general assembly and church of the firstborn. The membership roll is already registered in heaven, and one day the roll will be called and we will all be there.

I love to travel and meet other members of the church. I love when they come to Ireland and visit our church. I love the common bond in Christ that unites us and compels us to rejoice and fellowship together.

What a marvellous day it will be when we finally get to assemble together and worsip as one!

Nip it in the bud

looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; - Hebrews 12v15

There are several brilliant warnings in this section of Hebrews. One stick out to me this time through though, I think it sticks out because of the fervency of the warning and the reality of personal experience in my life and in the lives of others that I have known.

‘Look carefully…lest any root of bitterness which is springing up cause you trouble and defiles many.’ I like the King James wording which has ‘looking diligently…’ The Message paraphrase of the scriptures uses the illustration of a garden when it renders the section ‘Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.’

The important thing to note is that bitterness needs to be nipped in the bud before it ever breaks the surface. Bitterness is a great enemy and a dangerous weed that if left alone will grow and fester like a cancer and ruin all with which it comes in contact.

Bitterness is an ugly and dangerous problem. It will ruin a life and it will ruin the lives of those around. What begins as anger or dislike quickly begins to fester and grow. I know what bitterness can do in my life, and I have seen far too many lives destroyed by it.

How do we do this? How do we nip bitterness in the bud? The answer is in the passage. We must look carefully. We must be diligent. We must watch like a careful gardener who knows the danger of weeds in his garden. It is an area where we cannot let down our guard.

Watch diligently – that little seed of bitterness that you see will cause great havoc if it is not dealt with.

Get it together!

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: - Hebrews 12v12-14

The word of God is so practical. The previous section was full of encouragement and the purpose of chastening. We are reminded that God loves us enough to keep us on the right track. You sense the words of a loving Father sitting His children down and sharing some secrets of why He parents the way He does.

In verse 12 the tone changes. You sense a track and field coach urging his team on. ‘Get those hands up from your side! Pick up those knees! Get moving! Stay on track so you don’t hurt yourself. If you stay on track you will be fine – now get it together.’

Then He reminds of us the great responsibility we have to others. ‘Follow peace with all men – but don’t forget holiness, because without holiness no man can see the Lord.’
God’s word is practical and it is balanced. We balance unity with holiness. There a temptation to sacrifice holiness on the altar of unity. There can also be a temptation to sacrifice unity on the altar of what we consider to be holiness. We can’t sacrifice either. We seek peace, not a fight. We seek unity, not division. But we must never forsake holiness, because that is how people are going to see the Lord.

No pain no gain

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12v11

God’s chastening is a fascinating study. Most of the time I have heard this passage preached on it was preached as a scare tactic kind of message. ‘Look here, if you mess up God is going to get you!’

As I read through this today I got a different impression. The section starts with ‘For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls,’ and ends with ‘Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.’

This hardly sounds like a scary section of scripture. It is all about encouragement and blessing. It is all about training and instruction; it is all about God’s love that leads him to correct us as a part of our training.

So what do we do with it? If we are smart we learn from God’s chastening. Chastening does not always equal punishment. Chastening takes many forms, but at the end of the day it is always instructional in purpose. It is always the action of a loving, perfect God.

I have fallen far short in the training of my kids. Sometimes I have chastened out of anger and done more harm that good. Sometimes it has been nothing more than punishment. But God doesn’t do that – his chastening is always for our profit, that we may partake of His holiness.

Chastening never seems easy. Training is tough. No pain no gain. But, if we will take God’s chastening and accept the changes He wants us to make the result is worth it. Holiness, the peaceable fruit of righteousness, and the knowledge that we are learning the lessons to make us more like Him will make the chastening bearable.

Looking unto Jesus

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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12v2

This is definitely a ‘looking unto Jesus day. There is some stuff going on that is forcing me to do just that. Not personally, but with some other circumstances. There is a situation that I can do nothing about, but feel like I should. It is a part of the race that God has set before. It is requiring the utmost in patience and endurance to deal with this because it is a time when I really must trust.

I can only do it by ‘looking unto Jesus. He, after all, is the Originator of my faith and He will be the Finisher of it as well. As such we read that He endured the cross and despised the shame. Today, as we saw recently, He is sitting at God’s right hand interceding for us.
The race we are running has ups and downs. We never know what is just around the bend. We have all kinds of obstacles to deal with and hurdles to jump. I cannot afford to get distracted by the obstacles no matter how real and how difficult they are. I do all I can do while running the race, but then keep my eyes on Him at the finish line

Endurance

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Hebrews 12v1

So now that we know about the great testimony that these members of the Hall of Faith had what do we do about it? We know that it is better for us than it was for them. We know the end result of our faith in a way they never need. So how do we apply it.

Seeing that we have this great crowd of witnesses we are now called on to run our own race. We are called on to get rid of the baggage of sin and then run the race patiently and with endurance. These folks weren’t for sure what was at the finish line – we do. We know why we are running.

No if they could all endure what they did without knowing the end result, shouldn’t we be able to run knowing the result?

Two key thoughts.

It is a race. You don’t run a race encumbered by weights and extra stuff. If we are going to do well in the race we need to get rid of the sin that holds us back.

It is a marathon, not a sprint. We run it not in little bursts of energy, but with patience and endurance.

With the kind of testimony behind us, let us get rid of the baggage and endure in the race to which God has called us.

Something better for us

God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. – Hebrews 11v40

As amazing as the Hall of Faith it is even more amazing when we remember that these folks had not received the promise of the Messiah when they acted in faith. They knew He was coming, but they had not seen Him so never in their lives received the full promise that Messiah would bring.

But eventually their faith was perfected in Christ. Today we have it so much better than they do. We can look back to the finished work of Christ on the cross where they weren’t even sure what they were looking for.

How amazing that God had something better for us, even though we deserved nothing. Praise God for the opportunity to look back at the cross in faith instead of having to look forward to the unknown work of God.

And thank God for the faith of those who did look forward.

Of whom the world was not worthy

of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. – Hebrews 11v38

subdued kingdoms
worked righteousness
obtained promises
stopped the mouths of lions
quenched the violence of fire
escaped the edge of the sword
out of weakness were made strong
became valiant in battle
turned to flight the armies of the aliens
women received their dead raised to life again
were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment
were stoned
were sawn in two
were tempted
were slain with the sword
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins
being destitute, afflicted, tormented
wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth

That’s quite a list, isn’t it? I was going to just mention how those who act in faith are a special bunch, but though it best that we just see the full list and meditate on just what faith accomplishes.

There is a lot we could say here, but I think one really nails it. Out of all that could be said God says of them that ‘the world was not worthy.’ These folks were well and truly too good for this world. The world did not deserve them.

Faith accomplishes much. It may or may not bring us to success in the eyes of the world. Through it we might subdue kingdoms or be sawn in two. Through it we may stop the mouths of lions or be slain by the sword. Either way it is our faith allowing God to work in our lives.

Either way, the world is not worthy of these folks of faith. May we live such a life fo faith that the world is not worthy of us as well.

Seeing Him who is invisible

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. – Hebrews 11v27

It was by faith that Moses left Egypt and headed out to lead his people. This had all kinds of ramifications. Pharaoh had one of the most powerful armies in the world. His trained warriors could easily have wiped out the people of Israel.

The Israelites had nothing, and there were six million of them. The slave owners were not about the just let their work crews walk off the job. The departure of this much free labour would have a devastating impact on Egypt’s economy. Everything visible was against their leaving.

But Moses had the ability to look at the invisible. He would endure it all as he looked at the Him who is invisible.

That’s what faith is all about, isn’t it; seeing the unseen and focusing on the invisible? Too many times our faith is based on what we see at the moment, not what we see in the ling run.

We may never face the challenges that Moses did, but that doesn’t make our challenges any less real. It doesn’t negate our fears.

Like Moses we have a way t endure and overcome our fear. We must learn to look at Him who is invisible and trust Him on our way.

Choosing rather to suffer

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. – Hebrews 11v24-26

We all face choices in life. For most of us Moses’ choice would have seemed easy. He could have been called ‘the son of Pharaoh’s daughter’ or he could have become a slave with the rest of his people.

“The son of Pharaoh’s daughter’ would have meant that he would probably be Pharaoh one day. At the very least he would have lived in opulence and splendour and had it made. He could have rationalised it with thoughts like, ‘look at the impact I could have in the palace.’

Instead he chose to pass up the pleasures of sin (interesting to note that the Bible refers to the ‘pleasures of sin’) for the reproach of Christ.

Why make a choice like that? Because he knew that the reproach for Christ was far better in the long run than all the riches of Egypt. Nothing could compare to doing what God wanted in the long run.

We need to ask ourselves what guides out choices. Do we make decisions based on the prestige and the ‘stuff’ or do we make decisions based on what God wants for us?

It is far, far better to do God’s will even if it means suffering and reproach here and now, for the eternal reward is the one that we need to be looking forward to.

God is not ashamed

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. – Hebrews 11v16

Have your children ever embarrassed you? We have six of them, and now three grandchildren. I have to admit that sometimes they have embarrassed us in public. I won’t relate any anecdotes here in case one of them reads this. But, at the end of the day, they are still our kids and we are not ashamed that they are ours. We are not ashamed to be their mom and dad.

That’s fine, but it is amazing when we read that a perfect, holy, righteous, just, and eternal God is not ashamed that His is our God. I am certain that we, especially me, have embarrassed our kids, so it is normal that there is a mutual feeling of not being ashamed. God is perfect, so there is not cause to be ashamed that He is my God. But it is astounding that He is not ashamed of me, even though I do stuff that would make any person embarrassed. That comes because His live is perfect and pure. He loves me in spite of who I am and He is not ashamed of me.

What is sad is that I am more likely to act like I am ashamed of Him. How often have you and I had a chance to speak boldly and proudly of our heavenly Father and missed the opportunity? Are we more ashamed of Him than He is of us?

These all died in faith

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. – Hebrews 11v13

All of these examples in the Hebrews Hall of Faith had something special about their faith. They did not have faith because they saw the results of faith. They had faith without seeing the results of the promises. They all had similarities.

They received God’s promises
They saw the promises far off
They were assured of the promises
They embraced the promises
They realised and confessed that this world was not their home
They then died in that faith

This is what real faith is all about. Real faith is faith without seeing. Real faith is realising that we may not see the results. Real faith knows that we may die in faith rather than in sight.

God promises are true and sure. They will happen. But God is not stuck by my lifespan or my timetable. God will do things His way and in His prefect time. We need to be ready for the fact that we too may be called on to ‘die in faith’ never realising the sight of the things that are promised. This is world is not our home, we are just passing through. Our treasures are laid up in heaven, not here on earth.

Praise God for these examples of dying in faith.

He went, not knowing

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. – Hebrews 11v8

I am always challenged by great examples of faith. If I am not careful I could get bogged down in the great faith chapter where God gives us example after example.

Here with Abraham we have an amazing example of pure faith. God told Abraham to go. He didn’t tell him where, just go. The amazing thing is that Abraham went!

In a day when we seem to want everything laid out for us, this is amazing. How many of us would be willing to go if God just said, ‘Load up and head out. You will know where you are going when you get there’?

Do any of us have Abraham like faith?

Without faith

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. – Hebrews 11v6

I watched part of a documentary last night about the theories of Richard Dawkins, who considers all religion as ‘the root of all evil.’ Christianity, of course, was the object of most of his derision, but I was intrigued by a couple of things.

Mr Dawkins had much more respect for Christians who held to the entire word of God that those who, as He put it, picked and chose what they liked and didn’t like. I found it comforting that even some one like this man saw the need total adherence to the Bible if one claimed to believe it.

At the end he talked about how it was better for people to do good just because it was good and not because they were afraid of some power who would harm them if they did not do good. Fair point, but Dawkins missed a key element that eve some Christians miss.

Doing good is not going to please God. Even Christians doing good is not going to please God.

Let me explain. We don’t read anywhere ‘without good works it is impossible to please God for He who comes to God must do good works and He is the rewarder of those who do good works.’

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is the key factor here. Anyone who comes to God must of course believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Does this negate good works? Of course not, but good works are the result of faith and not the motivation. If we believer that God is and that He rewards those who seek Him we will strive to seek Him daily. Naturally, as a result of diligently seeking Him good works will be the by product. Works always accompany faith. If there is no works there is only a dead faith.

It is our faith that leads to works that pleases God, not the works in and of themselves.

He who is coming will come

 For yet a little while, and he is coming will come and will not tarry – Hebrews 10v37 

Here we sit. Almost 2000 years later and we wait for the fulfilment of Jesus’ words ‘I will receive you unto myself.’ John looked for that day when he wrote ‘Even so come Lord Jesus.’ St Patrick of Ireland wrote “I look for the soon advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ 

And yet, today is the 12^th of January, 2009. If our reckoning is close Jesus left about 1,925 years ago. When I was first saved back in the 70s everyone was writing about the return of Christ and how world affairs proved it had to happen then. I have become weary of headline prophets who based their teaching on the newspapers instead of on the word of God. 

Despite all of this we have the irrefutable promises of God’ Word. ‘I will come again and receive you unto myself.’ “This same Jesus will return in like manner.’ And here in Hebrews ‘He who is coming will come.’ 

Hebrews says that it is a ‘little while.’ The truth is that it is a little while in God’s eyes and His eternal scheme. Any time period in a timeless eternity is a little while. The wonderful truth is that the One who said that He is coming is indeed coming back. That ‘little while’ may very well be wrapped up today!

 

Praise God that the one who is coming will indeed come. May my life reflect the assurance of His coming. 

Not forsaking

...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10v25

In many of the churches I have been associated with this was probably the oft quoted verse. At times it was used in an almost legalistic way to say that ‘no matter what else happens, every time the doors of this church are open you had better be here or you are walking in willful disobedience to the Lord.’

Now, I don’t believe for a moment that this is what God is saying to us. However the word of God is clear – it is imperative that God’s people assemble together. It is impossible to be an ‘unchurched Christian.’

Already, when this was written people had begun to neglect assembling together. It is so much easier to stay home and not worry about it. We all have busy lives and distractions; so far too often the assemblage of God’s people gets shunted into the background.

The truth is that everyone going to church has a job to do. It is not just the pastors, teacher, musicians, or any other position. We all have a responsibility to be exhorters, and more so as we watch our world degenerate and fall apart. We need encouragement and exhortation and the place we get that is in each other.

It is not about numbers or rules or anything like that. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to be there and to encourage and exhort others in the body.

Consider one another

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, - Hebrews 10v24

I have met a number of Christians though the years that seem to have lost the plot when it comes to the local assembly of believers. It seems to hold only a small place in people’s lives. If there is nothing else going on they might have time for other believers in the local assembly.

This verse and the one following stress the importance of ‘each other.’ Part of the reason God puts us in a local assembly is to think about each other and stir each other up to live and good works. Love and good works do not come naturally. They are really tough to stir up on your own. All by yourself you get discouraged and disheartened. Loneliness in the work is very difficult to handle.

We really do need each other. I need someone to stir me up. I need to stir others up. The easiest thing is to sit back and do nothing, but that is not God’s will.

Might we be dedicated to consider each other first, and in so doing provoke, incite, and stir each other up to love and good works. Without that encouragement we are liable to grow cold and indifferent.

Hold fast

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10v23

Stuff happens. It just does. We think we are moving forward and really getting our act together. We think things like, ‘Finally, something is going right.’ And then, blam, something else comes along to knock us off our stride.

This happens in our ministries and it happens in our own walk with the Lord. I wish I could count the numbers of times since we came to this country fourteen years ago that I have been ready to quit. This has been even more true since we moved out to Naas and been involved in planting a church. We think things are going well and moving on and then things start to go backwards.

The same thing happens in my own spiritual walk. I have months of progress and good fellowship with the Lord then something happens that sets me back again.

So what do we do? Quit? Give in? Roll over and die? Nope – God says that we are to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. It’s that ‘without wavering’ that gets tough. We just keep on going and going and going and going. How though?

We have a pattern. “He who promised is faithful.’ No matter what Christ faced for me He stayed faithful. Through the trials and the mockery and the blows and the spit and the taunts and the scourging and the carrying the cross and the nails and the laboured breaths and the pain and the suffering and the death He stayed faithful.

When I look at it that way, how can I not hold fast? He never wavered though all of that. How can I waver at a few setbacks?

He sat down

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, - Hebrews 10v11-12

I have always liked this picture. Every human priest stands everyday doing the same sacrifice over and over again. Even today in the Catholic Church all over the world priests will stand up several times and offer the same sacrifice of the Eucharist. For some the sacrifice is an ongoing work that needs repeated all the time.

I like the fact that Jesus, after he offered the sacrifice, sat down at God’s right hand. There He sits today making intercession for us. The work was done; it did not have to be repeated, so Jesus sat. It has a picture of finality and completion. (On a side note I think it is interesting that Stephen saw Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand. I wonder if He was standing to receive Stephen home?)

Anyway, I just like the picture of Jesus sitting down because the work was done. It’s not an ongoing task. It is finished!

To do your will

Then I said, 'Behold, I have come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do your will O God.’ – Hebrews 10v7

To do your will, O God. That’s what it is really all about. It is obvious that this is the key thing from Jesus’ words in the garden when He said, ‘If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, your will be done.’ Part of Jesus’ pattern prayer is ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’

The context here in Hebrews is sacrifices. The problem is that if we are not careful sacrifices, or any other work, become the focus instead of just doing God’s will. Even in the Old Testament we read things like – ‘To obey is better than sacrifice.’

At the end of the day the most important thing we do is to submit to God’s will and obey Him. Jesus set that pattern; it is a pattern we all should follow. There is no merit in doing anything if we are not submitting to His perfect will.

‘To do your will O God’ must be our hearts desire. We can’t cover it over by following our own will, and covering it over with any amount of good works.

One thing is for certain

… He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many… - Hebrews 9v26-28

There is not a lot in life about which we can be certain. It would be nice, but just about everything we face we face with uncertainty. Until Jesus comes back again one thing is for sure though – we are going to die.

A few years ago Jocelyn Elders was the Surgeon General of the United States. She made a comment one time, I think the topic was smoking, that was very profound. She said with great insight, ‘We all have to die sometime…’ She was mocked by many for the apparently trite way she dealt with the dangers of smoking, but in reality she had a point – we are all going to die.

What makes it worse is what follows in this passage, ‘after after this the judgement. That causes quite a dilemma. Death and judgement are not pleasing thoughts. Any one who is honest with himself would have to admit that he does not relish the thought of being judged by God.

But there is more to it than that. Jesus appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Because of the certainty of judgement Christ was offered up for the sins of many.

Death is coming. Judgement is coming. Thankfully Jesus has already provided a way out by sacrificing Himself to pay the penalty for sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus alone. Praise God for that gift. May 2009 be a year where we share that gift and offer to others so that they too may receive it and avoid the pending judgement.

With His own blood

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. - Hebrews 9v12

I guess this is the most amazing fact of all. Jesus, the Great High Priest and testator of the new covenant sealed it with His own precious blood.

The Old Testament priest’s job, though a bit messy, was easy enough. All he had to do was slaughter an animal for the sacrifice. Our High Priest had a different task – He had to be the one being slaughtered. He was the one whose blood would pay the price. When the Old Testament priest offered up his animal sacrifice it was to atone for his own sin along with the rest of the nation. Jesus’ sacrifice was not for His own sin, for He had no sin for which a price had to be paid.

With that precious blood He obtained eternal redemption for each one of us. He did it for you and for me, because He did not need it. It was a totally selfless act.

We hear this over and over again, but I hope we never get tired of the old, old story of Jesus shedding His own blood to obtain my eternal redemption.

He ever lives to make intercession

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. – Hebrews 7v25

The Lord knows just when to give us what He wants from His word. I needed this reminder this morning. It is easy for people to let us down. It is easy for us to let us down. Sometimes it seems like there is no consistency anywhere.

But I thank God for the reminder this morning that there is at least one unchangeable consistency. Jesus, out great and marvellous High Priest, is able to carry us through all the way to the end. He does that because He is always alive making intercession for me.

What does that mean? It means that I can keep on keeping on because Jesus is in the presence of God constantly and always interceding for me. I thank the Lord that when I am at my lowest He is right there praying for me and carrying me through ‘to the uttermost.’

He lives to intercede for me.

Amazing and incomprehensible truth. Thank you Lord for that reminder this morning.

A better covenant

by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. – Hebrews 7v22

All through the Old Testament, under the ‘old covenant’ there was never a full assurance that everything was right. The priests were human, they were sinners, and they kept dying off. Nothing was permanent and nothing was really trustworthy in their minds.

That all changed with Jesus. With Jesus there is a perfect, unblemished, never ending High Priest of a whole new order. Because our High Priest is perfect and unblemished He offers us a hope and an assurance that the old covenant could not provide. Our perfect High Priest offers us a perfect hope that we are sealed once and for all.

What is the promise, surety, and guarantee of God’s new covenant with us? It is certainly not my own qualifications or my own works that make it sure. The covenant was sealed when I accepted His gift of salvation. Now Jesus and Jesus alone guarantees it.

Praise the Lord for my surety of the new and everlasting covenant!

Behind the veil

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6v19-20

It is amazing the little nuggets that are packed into the word of God. In the context of all that Jesus has done for us we have this little note that He ‘enters the Presence behind the veil…’ This of course refers to the veil in the temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.

In the Old Testament no one could enter into God presence except the High Priest and he only entered once a year. He did so to make what amounted to a temporary atonement for the sins of the people. Everyone else was excluded.

That is all different now. Jesus entered into the Holy of Holies as He tore down that middle wall of partition. He gave us access to the One behind the veil. He is the One eternal High Priest who ever intercedes for us.

Praise God that he gave us access to the One behind the veil!

An anchor of the soul

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, - Hebrews 6v19

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

Thus begins the marvellous old hymn by Priscilla Owen. This dear saint captures so well the idea of Hebrews 6v19, in fact much better than I could ever hope. Let’s look at the rest of her words.

It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand,
For 'tis well secured by the Saviour's hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.

2009 looks like it may be a very tough year for so many people. The future is uncertain. The seas look rough and choppy. Without an anchor we could well be tossed about the violent storms ahead.

But we do have an anchor – steadfast and sure. May we each find that anchor and hold on to it in 2009.

After he patiently endured

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. – Hebrews 6v15

I trembled at the voice of God
A voice of love and thunder deep
With love He means to save us all
And Love has chosen you and me

Long after we are dead and gone
A thousand years our tale be sung
How faith compelled and bore us on
How barren Sarah bore a son
So come to Canaan, come

These are a few of the words from Andrew Peterson’s marvellous song ‘Canaan Bound.’ It expresses the blessedness of patiently enduring our days until God fulfils His promise.

Abraham had been promised that he would be the father of a great nation, that his descendents would outnumber the stars in heaven and the grains of sand on the seashores. Years passed and nothing happened. Abraham at one point resorted to his own machinations, yet still he had to wait.

But at the end Abraham patiently endured. He just learned to wait, and eventually God fulfilled His promise.

When it seems that all we do is plod along and endure may we all remember the marvellous fact that in response to God’s promise ‘barren Sarah bore a son.’

Don’t get sluggish

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6v11-12

Ouch. What a perfect time to come across this verse. This is our fourteenth Christmas fortnight in Ireland. I have to say that we have become fully culturally acclimatised to this strange two week period. For several years everything was basically shut down over ‘the Christmas.’ Things have changed and now many shops are open, but it is still a very unusual time. People may get together a bit, but basically people just tend to vegetate in front of the telly watching a plethora of ‘Christmas movie.’ Of kind of Christmas lethargy and sluggishness develops.

I guess in some ways that is okay. We stay busy right up through Christmas with church activities, but from then right up until the new year there is very little going on. It is a nice break and something of a holiday for us. I know that God has nothing against a little break now and then, but if I am not very careful I can allow that the physical sluggishness become spiritual sluggishness.

It is today, right in the middle of this unusual time that I come across this passage – ‘don’t become sluggish.’ Instead we are encouraged to ‘show the same diligence and imitate those who endure on with faith and patience.’

This time period is an easy one in which to let our guard down. Thank God for this reminder to avoid the spiritual sluggishness which has a way of slipping in.

Out of sight, out of mind - not!

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. - Hebrews 6v10

There are some ministries where if we didn’t know better we might think that no one notices and that everyone has forgotten about us. There are some ministries and ways of service that can be very, very lonely. This can be tough when people serve the Lord far away from their family and friends when the saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’ seems to apply.

In those situation the truth of Hebrews 6v10 can be a special blessing – ‘God is not unjust to forget your labour of love that you show by ministering the saints.’ Others may not see it, others may forget. “Out of sight, out of mind,’ may fit with others.

God, however, is not ‘others.’ We are never out of His sight and never out of His mind. He doesn’t forget the ways that we show out love by ministering to each other. Every little thing we do to serve each other is seen and remembered by God. He doesn’t miss it!

‘Out of sight out of mind’ may apply to even the most well intentioned of people, but it certainly does not apply to God.

With confidence

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4v15-16

This relates closely to a post made a couple of days ago. We have great comfort in knowing that we have a High Priest who can truly sympathise with our weaknesses because He has been there Himself.

In addition to that great truth today we see that because of that we can enter god’s throne room with absolute confidence and boldness that He is fully able to provide the mercy and help that we have in time of need. When I talk to Him now I can do so confidently that He knows what I am talking about and what I am going through.

When I pray I don’t need to worry about things like, ‘Can God really understand this? How can He get it – He is God after all. He lives in heaven and doesn’t have to deal with all this.’

But He does know. He would have known anyway. But now our minds can comprehend that He understands and that comprehension gives us confidence and boldness and that He can and will provide mercy and help no matter what our need is.

So no matter what we are facing today – no matter what the struggles, the hurt, and the pains, He knows, and we can confidently go to Him for mercy and help in those times of need.

Nothing hidden

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. - Hebrews 4v13

I am afraid that we all deal with a certain kind of sin that we don’t like to talk about much. This is that that certain son, whether in action or in mind, that we are able to keep hidden. Maybe it is lust, maybe it is unjustified anger, maybe it is selfishness, or pride, or whatever. Through the years we become masters at keeping it hidden so that we begin to think that no one really knows.

There is one thing that we too often forget – nothing we do is hidden from God. All things are naked and open to His sight. Even the sins that don’t manifest themselves on the surface He still sees. Those innermost thoughts and those private actions are wide open to Him – He doesn’t miss a thing.

Why is it that we are more concerned about what others see than what God sees? What is it that it doesn’t seem quite so bad when only He knows? Why is it that we are embarrassed for someone else to catch us, but don’t care that we are naked and open before a perfect and holy God?

Cutting right to the heart of the matter

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4v12

I have to admit that I still find Hebrews a challenging study, and indeed and challenging devotional read. I have studied it, preached out of it, and taught the whole book; and yet I still am challenged and questions constantly rise to the fore.

I am therefore glad to come across verses that are clear and obvious in their meaning. Even though there are times when the word of God is difficult for our human minds to grasp, one truth remains – it is still alive and powerful and has the ability to cut right to the core of the matter in our hearts. It alone has the ability to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

You and I can look at a person and make some determinations by a person’s lifestyle. We can clearly say something like, ‘That person is not behaving like a Christian.’ But the truth is that only God’s word can discern their thoughts and intents. It is the only think powerful enough to cut right to the quick. That is why it is so powerful and why we are called upon to boldly proclaim it.

Let us never forget that as we hear God’s word preached, as we study it on our own, and as we spend time daily in it, that it is more than just words on a page (or a computer screen.) It is alive, it is powerful, it is sharper than any two-edged sword, it is able to divide soul and spirit and joints and marrow, it discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. Nothing cuts to the heart like the ever dynamic word of God.

There remains a rest

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. - Hebrews 4v9-10

Speaking of all the turmoil and the stuff we all have to deal with, at least we as believers have the ability to run to our haven of rest and find a break in the midst of it all. We do have some measure of rest as we live for, serve, and find strength and comfort in the rest He gives us even now.

And yet we have another rest coming, the same kind of rest that God had on the seventh day. There is a day coming when the labour will be over, the trials and tribulations passed, and the struggles done,

It is that final perfect rest that keeps us going. It is that rest that makes all this worthwhile. There is a final rest coming, may we keep our focus there and stay faithful to the end.

By the way, a very Happy Christmas to all.

Consider Christ Jesus

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. – Hebrews 3v1-2

There is so much to consider and think about at the moment isn’t there. In these days our thoughts are constantly drawn to all the bad news we are hearing. Today’s headlines, for example, are saying that this may be Ireland’s worse economic times in a century. We think about the Christmas shopping and the Christmas meals and getting the presents wrapped and who is calling over and where we have to go. Some of us are thinking about all the ‘stuff’ that comes with living our every day lives. There is a lot to think about, isn’t there.

But what about this thought in he midst of all this stuff? ‘Consider Christ Jesus.’ Specifically here we are challenged to consider his faithfulness, but we do this passage no harm by just being reminded of think on Him. Because He is faithful all the rest can take a back seat.

Pause for a moment from all the stuff running around in your head and take some time to consider why we have this Christmas season, consider Jesus!

Been there, done that

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. – Hebrews 2v18

There is more on this marvellous truth in chapter four, but for now there is just a hint at a special blessing.

Whenever we go through a tough time we like to have someone to talk to. It is always nice to have anyone to talk to, but it REALLY helps to talk to someone who has been through what we are going through. Unless they have ‘been there and done that’ that can’t really understand. That is the reason that ‘support groups’ are so popular. We like to know that people have been through what we are going through so they can really get what we are talking about.

Support groups are fine, I suppose, but as believers we have One who can REALLY understand. Jesus, Himself, suffered and went through trials and testings so that we can know that He truly understands. He has been there and done that. We can know that we are not going through this alone. Therefore we can know for sure that He is able to help us in our time of greatest need.

Praise God for the only One who can really understand everything we will face. And Praise God that He is ready and willing to help!

Not ashamed to call us brethren

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, - Hebrews 2v11

I always have a hard time even talking about this. It almost seems to verge on blasphemous pride. It is a truth so incomprehensible that it makes me uncomfortable to talk about it, but this passage says that because He that sanctifies (Jesus) and those who are sanctified (us) he is not embarrassed to call us His brethren.

I have a hard time getting my head around that. I know all of the theological reasons, the truths, and the proofs, but it is astounding to me. We have a family who come to our Kids Klub and Sunday School. They have two daughters, Sally and Annabelle. Sally is nine, a lovely, vivacious, and talented little girl. Annabelle is seven, beautiful, but autistic. Being autistic, sometimes Annabelle does things in public that might be embarrassing. You might expect Sally to be ashamed of her little sister. But Sally is far from that. She is so happy that Annabelle is her little sister, nothing could make her ashamed.

I know that all human illustrations are imperfect, but isn’t this something like Jesus not being ashamed to call us brethren. He sees beyond our weakness and frailty to see us like children of God. Since He is the Son of God that makes us His brethren. Despite some of the embarrassing things we do He still recognises us as part of his family.

What is really tragic is that we can be more ashamed of Him than He is of us. What a terrible indictment on us. He is not ashamed to call us brethren, but how often are we ashamed to name His as ours.

Oh Captain, My Captain

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  – Hebrews 2v10 

O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead. 

Thus begins Whitman’s classic poem about Abraham Lincoln the American ship of state. The nation had endured a bloody civil war, but now it was over, the trip was over and the ship of state was calling into port to the adulation of the masses. 

There was tragedy on deck – the captain who had led them on the journey lay dead, cold and lifeless. The one who had guided the ship had done so bravely, but did not make it home. 

It is a beautiful and sentimental poem, but is melancholy. There was joy in he victory, but sadness at the captain’s death. 

As believers we also have a captain. Jesus was made the captain of our salvation. Like Lincoln in the poem His captaincy involved suffering and death. But there is a difference, when our journey is over and we sail into our heavenly port our captain is alive and well. Lincoln could conquer and enemy, but he could not conquer death. Our captain, Jesus, will conquer all enemies and all foes, including death. Because our captain conquered it there is now nothing for us to fear! Maybe we can tweak the first stanza of Whitman’s poem to speak of our captian. 

O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lives
Victor though once dead! 

We see Jesus

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. – Hebrews 2v9 

I want to include the end of verse eight here for the context – ‘…For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.’ 

Jesus came to ‘put all things under His feet,’ and now they are. Everything is under His control. Obviously we cannot see everything yet. Not seeing it all can be a great frustration. We all want to know why it is all happening. It is not good enough to know what is happening, we want to see the whole picture.

And yet we read here in verse eight that we ‘do not yet see all things put under Him.’ Simply put, we don’t see the whole picture yet. We can’t see it all. 

But then isn’t that what faith is all about? It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is about believing in things we cannot see. 

Still we can see something – ‘we see Jesus’ who was made like us so that He might taste death for us.’ When we can’t figure it out and we can’t see what is going on we can still see Jesus. He is the One, as the origin and completion of our faith, that we need to look to. 

We can’t see it all – but we can see Jesus!

Why do You bother with man?

 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? – Hebrews 2v6 

Think about it – why would God bother with us? He is perfect, holy, righteous, just, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, eternal, unchanging, perfectly wise and loving, and so much more. 

We, on the other hand, are wretched, vile, we cannot do good, our feet our swift to shed blood. Man is at enmity with God. Our sin nature dominates and controls us. The best of our good works and righteousness is a stench in His nostrils, nothing more than filthy menstrous rags. 

Why indeed would He bother? There is no one righteous, no, not a single one. All have sinned and fallen short of His glory.

Why? Because ‘He first loved us.” Because, ‘God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son. Because, ‘while we were still sinners Christ died for us.’ 

How do we answer the psalmist as quoted in Hebrews? ‘What is man?’ 

Filthy, wretched, vile, hopeless sinner – yes, but also the object of His divine and perfect love. 

More Earnest Heed

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. – Hebrews 2v1

It is easy to fall into the trap that the Christian life is something in which we can just coast along and never worry about it. We think that as long as we are going to church and doing the Christian ‘things’ we are okay. We think that coasting along is good enough.

The writer of Hebrews spells it our differently – ‘we must give the more earnest heed to what we have heard.’ If not, we are in danger of drifting away, not from salvation, obviously, but from the strength and stability we find in those truths.

Like everything else our walk with the Lord requires diligent application. If I do not daily apply myself to my marriage the feelings and attachments will drift. The same is true with the things of the Lord. If I don’t apply ,myself regularly to His word and the things I have learned they will, slowly but surely drift away and I will not have that kind of fervent relationship with Him that is so vital.

Living for Him takes constant effort and application. We can’t just sit back and get it by osmosis. To live for Him requires this ‘utmost heed to the things we have heard.’

Ministering spirits

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1v14

We are back to one of those topics that causes me as many questions as answers. The previous verse has just told us that Jesus is better than the angels, then we are told that they [the angels] are sent forth to ‘minister to those who will inherit salvation.’ From all indications there is some way that the angels today have a role in ministering to believers.

How do they minister to us? What do they do? Do they directly intervene? Do they push us off the railroad tracks just in time to avoid an oncoming train? ( I am nearly convinced that this one happened to us near Corinth, Mississippi? Do they remind us to look just one more time before crossing the road? Do they distract us to keep us from crossing a junction and avoid being hit by a car breaking a traffic light?

I don’t know. But I do trust God’s word enough to believe that they do minister to us.

You remain

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1v11-12

The older I get the more I realise that truth that everything changes. Things get old and wax away. All my friends are getting older. I visit places where I used to live and can’t recognise them. I watch old news stories and think how young and vivacious the people look and then realise that they are all dead now.

Everything does indeed change and it will continue to do so. One day it is all going to be done. Even this wonderful old earth will have served its purpose and will be ‘folded up like a garment.’

The great thing is that no matter want happens we do have a great Constant. ‘You [Jesus] will remain…you are the same…your years will not fail.’ We get old and pass away. Our friendships and relationships change. Nothing really stays the same.

Yet, how marvellous that our Jesus will still be here at the end. He won’t will still be same, and we will be able to be with Him forever and ever because His years will not cease.

By the word of His power

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, - Hebrews 1v3

Isn’t amazing how it is so easy for us to think that we know what is best and we could do things so much better than God if we only had the chance? It is easy to question Him when things happen that we don’t like. It is easy to wonder if He is really in control.

There is so much in these first few verses of Hebrews that it is hard to pick out one thing to focus on. Jesus, as the brightness of God’s glory and the perfect expression of His person, now upholds all things by the word of His power. He proved that by the greatest feat of all when He purged our sins and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Jesus who upholds all things today is the same Jesus who spoke all things into existence. He is the same Jesus who purged me of my sins. There is nothing I can imagine that would take more power than creating the world and purging my sin.

So what does this all mean? It means that every single moment that goes by Jesus is upholding everything with the power that created the world and purged my sin. He is in control – His power is absolute.

And we dare to think that we could do it better? When do we do that? Every time we question His leadership and the things that He brings into our lives. God is still on the throne with the vast power of His greatness!

Put it on my account

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. – Philemon 1v17-18

Paul knew that it would not be easy for Philemon to accent Onesimus as a brother and an equal. Servitude in those days was often a way to settle a debt. From the context here it looks like Onesimus was such a ‘slave’ who ran away before all of his debts were paid.

Onesimus had become a brother in Christ. Paul was willing to go out of his way to make sure that Philemon and Onesimus had things sorted out. Paul’s words were simple enough – ‘if you count me as a partner in Christ receive Onesimus back just like you would receive me.’

He took it further though – ‘if he still owes you anything put it on my account.’ It is hard to argue with those words or that attitude.

Paul was trying to set an example. He was willing to take on Onesimus debts even if he was not involved at all. I don’t know if sarcasm was ever a part of Paul’s speech, but it almost seems it here because he goes on to say, ‘you owe me your own self besides.’

Here is a great lesson in forgiveness. It does not appear to be much room for an attitude that says, “you owe me this or that and I am going to get it back!’

Think of the debt Jesus forgave us. Do we have any room to hold the debts of others against them?

For love’s sake I appeal to you

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ - Philemon 1v8-9

There is a lot that we can learn from Paul and how he deals with people. Here he is going to need to deal with Philemon on a difficult issue. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who had run away. Paul had met him and Onesimus had been saved. Paul was writing to ask Philemon to take him back as a brother in Christ.

Paul mentions that he has the authority to command Philemon to take him back, but that is not how Paul likes to operate. “I want to appeal to you for love’s sake.’ So much of what Paul says and does is based on attitudes even more that actions. He did not want Philemon to receive Onesimus back because he had to. He would rather Philemon receive him back out of love. He wanted Philemon to do it just because that is how brothers and sisters in Christ treat each other.

What motives us to do right? Do we do it because we ‘have to’ or do we do it because of the love of Christ and the saints?

What is our motivation? I think it is clear that love should be out key motivating factor.

Refreshing the hearts

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
- Philemon 1v7

There is so much about Philemon that I admire. I have always been challenged by Paul’s words when he writes that ‘the hearts of the saints’ have been refreshed by Philemon.

I love to be around people like that. Being around them is a joy. They are loving and encouraging. You leave feeling like you can face anything because they have encouraged you so much. When you spend time with them you feel like you have been on holiday and have the strength to go on.

On the other hand there are Christians who you dread being around. They have all bad news, discouragement, and defeat. You go in to them feeling bad and walk out feeling worse. You feel like, ‘what’s the use?’ Its kind of a ‘paper cut and lemon juice’ situation. They are either angry and belligerent or gloomy and depressing.

I wonder how other people feel after they have been around me. Am I like Philemon, or the doom and gloomers?

I want to be like Philemon. By God’s grace might I be a ‘heart refresher.’

Your love and faith

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, - Philemon 1v4-5

I love this little book of Philemon. One can almost sense the friendship and closeness between Paul and Philemon. It is a perfect illustration of loving instruction, rebuke, and correction.

Philemon must have been quite a guy. I can’t wait to meet him. The church met in his home. I know from experience what that is like. That in itself can be interesting t say the least. I think it is an indication of his character that he was willing to open up his home as a place for believers to meet for worship.

When Paul starts the letter he begins by giving thanks for Philemon and reminding him that he prays for him regularly. Two things stick out from the very start. Paul remembers Philemon’s love and his faith. It is not just his love and faith toward the Lord, but also his love and faith toward al the saints.

I like this combination of love and faith. I can love Christ more because I have faith in Him and my faith increases the more I love him. The more I love others the more I will manifest my faith and the best way to be faithful is to love them more. That doesn’t mean that we overlook sin and faults, but it means that our faith allows us to deal with each other in a loving manner.

The rest of the letter Paul goes on to give Philemon an opportunity to show that wonderful combination of faith and love.

To meet urgent needs

And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. – Titus 3v14

I am grateful for the training and instruction I received in my early days. It laid a strong and solid foundation that has blessed me greatly. I am glad for the rock solid foundation of the word of God and a love for people.

There is one area that was not big though, and an area that I still need to work on, simply because I don’t think about it. Paul reminds Titus to ‘let our people learn to maintain good works.’ I have to say I honestly strive to do that. I want my works to glorify God and point to the Saviour.

But there is another way to be fruitful – ‘meet urgent needs.’ I am afraid that too often I am not quick to meet these urgent needs. I just don’t make myself aware of them. It is an area that was not a big part of most of the churches I have attended. We left that to the liberal churches.

I know that my lack of training is no excuse though. The word of God is clear; we must be aware of and quick to meet these urgent needs. May I allow God to open my eyes to these ‘urgent needs’ and give me the wisdom to meet them.

Reject a divisive man

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. – Titus 3v10-11

Paul writes a lot about peace, love, compassion, forgiveness, not speaking evil, and things like there. It is obvious that this should be the norm amongst believers.

The word ‘reject’ therefore is a strong word for Paul to use. It seems like it must certainly apply to some type of wicked, vile, horrible, reprehensible sin. For believers to reject someone is for them to step out of character.

So what kind of person are we called on to reject here? The King James used the word ‘heretic’ here, but to our modern ears the word ‘divisive man’ better describes the person.

The heretic, the schismatic, the divisive man; how do we deal with that. We have the pattern set back in Matthew – we admonish him once, we admonish him again, and if he still refuses to repent we reject him, totally and absolutely.

We are all going to have differences. We are going to have opinions and ideas. That is normal, but when we let those ideas and opinions cause divisions we must expect rejection.

The body must be unified. We must be one. There is no room for causing divisions. I must be very aware and careful that my own actions or words ever cause divisions amongst believers.

To speak evil of no one

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. – Titus 3v1-2

I realise that sometimes we must speak out about false teachers. I realise that sometimes we have to expose error. I realise that sometimes we must speak out against dangerous doctrines and people who espouse them.

And yet the word of God is clear that this kind of speech cannot be our normal practice. We as Christians can be quite accomplished tearing people up with our tongues. Sometimes we think that the best way fro us to look good is to make others look bad.

Here though Paul makes it very clear in his words to Timothy – ‘speak evil of no one.’ I think part of the key here that we speak evil of their actions or their teachings without speaking evil of them. Our job is to seek peace, not conflict. We are to seek humility in our dealings – not arrogance.

What would my life and testimony be like if I just took these simple words to heart? What if I determined, by the grace of God not to let my feelings and emotions get in the way and if I acted in humility instead of self-centredness?

‘Speak evil of no one’ is quite a challenge.

Zealous of good works

…who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. – Titus 2v14

God knows just when to bring the right passage into our lives. Such is the case for this passage.

‘Zealous of good works’ means just what it sounds like. As we are God’s own unique personal possession there are certain things expected of us. Part and parcel with our uniqueness should be a zeal and a fire about good works.

Let me share why I was convicted about this. Wednesday afternoon a friend who is a part of our church whenever he is in the country on business called by the house. He told me that he wanted to go and pass out tracts in Dublin on Saturday. To my shame I didn’t have a supply on hand to do that. I was full of reasons why it could not be done, but he was convinced that it was what God wanted us to do, so I contacted our printer. Surprisingly he was able and willing to print up a few hundred Christmas tracts for us by Friday. I ordered them and let my friend know that they would be ready.

I was not going to be able to go because I had meeting scheduled for Saturday, so this was easy enough so far. I don’t like Dublin when it is crowded and handing our big numbers of tracts is not my favourite ministry thing to do.

To make a long story short my meeting was cancelled so I knew that I should go in and help pass out the tracts.

Yesterday morning I read this passage in my devotions. I was smitten because I knew then that I did not have a zeal to do this work. I was going, but only because my meeting was cancelled and my friend would have to go alone if I did not go. I was not going because I was zealous of goods works.

We went after that, my spirit and my attitude were better, and the Lord gave us a great time passing out the tracts. People were receptive and open to receive them for the most part.

I am grateful for this ‘zeal check’ and for a godly friend who encouraged me to do right even with my lack of zeal.

His own peculiar people

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.. – Titus 2v14

I realise that the word ‘peculiar’ does not mean the same thing that it did in 1611. Today of course it means unusual, or something that is not quite right. When something is not quite right we might say, ‘That’s mighty peculiar,’ but in 1611 readers would have thought something else.

To the average reader in the early 17th century the word ‘peculiar’ meant a person’s special possession. This particular English word was taken from the Latin word ‘peculium.’ The word meant ‘private property’ but originally it meant one’s own cattle, which was the valuable of possessions. It seems that the Greek word here means the same as peculium.

I think the meaning is clear – we are the precious of God’s possessions. Nothing means more to Him than us.

So what does that say when I sin? Am I really acting like His most treasured possession, or am I acting more like I still belong to me.

The verses around this one tell us how his special private property is supposed to act. Do we really act like God’s peculiar people? Do people see that in us, or do they see us acting like we belong to someone else?

Grace has appeared

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, - Titus 2v11

Ah Christmas, I do love it. I don’t like the traffic, the shopping, and the hassle. I do like the family, the fun, the sentiment, and the buzz. I like the focus that it should give us.

At the core of it all is the truth in this passage – ‘the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.’ God chose to send grace through the gift of His some. The grace is there, God provided it for all. Because of Christ all may receive His grace.

But it doesn’t stop there. God’s grace doesn’t stop at salvation. After salvation that grace teaches us how to live. Some may think that grace means we can live any way we want. Paul responded to that in Romans 6 – ‘God forbid – may it never be!’ Grace appeared to save us, but it also appeared to teach us to deny ungodliness, to deny worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly lives in this present world.

The gift of grace saved us, but let us not forget that it also teaches us how to live today.

The question for each of us is, are we willing to listen to the teaching?

A pattern of good works

and in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. – Titus 2v7-8 

Paul uses similar words of advice to Titus that he gave to Timothy. Paul is always clear that when we serve the Lord we are going to face opposition. No matter what, we are going to have opponents. 

I think it is amazing that the word of God deals with every day practicalities. How do we deal with our opponents? Simple enough take away all their ammunition. ‘Show yourself a pattern of good works….that one who is an opponent may be ashamed and have nothing to say.’ Specifically we are to set a pattern with our good works, set a pattern in doctrine, show integrity, be reverent, be incorruptible, and use sound speech that cannot be condemned. 

Each of these is worth our attention, but I know doe me that the last one is the one that can cause me problems. My mouth is what can get me into most trouble and give others cause to be critical. It is vitally important that my words do not give anyone a chance to condemn me. 

I may still have opponents, but I need to be sure that I give them nothing to use. At the end, whether they admit it or not, they will be ashamed of their attacks. 

The older men

that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; - Titus 2v2

The older men – not that I am one or anything, but one day I probably will be. As I begin the enter the years of being one of the older men I am wise to pay particular attention to words of guidance.

When I read this I thought of grandfathers. As a granddad I go by ‘Grampy.’ One thing I don’t want to be is an old sourpuss who acts like a ‘grumpy Grampy.’ I also don’t want to be a pushover who spoils the grandchildren by giving them whatever they want. I need to be able to set an example of being solid, instructive, and at the same time loving and patient.

It is that last one that is the tough one. The older we get the harder it can be to be patient with the little ones. They are impetuous, investigative, curious, loud, and they require attention. But as Grampy I try to lovingly and patiently set an example and teach them.

The same holds true for a spiritual Grampy. Instead of being a grumpy Grampy who is always angry and upset, the older men must not waver in their example of being sober, reverent, and temperate. Their (our) faith must be solid. But as we practice those things we must be patient and loving with those who are young and growing.