Monthly Archives: April 2025

THE GOSPEL IN HEBREWS – 20

Bible Study, ,

Hebrews 12:4-11 NIV
[4] “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” [7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? [8] If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! [10] They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

The writer to the Hebrews gives us the clearest and most sensible explanation of “the problem of pain” in all of the world’s literature.

Ignorant people have their theories that often put the blame on God despite the clear teaching of Scripture. It’s God who does this to humans for whatever reason. Believers even think that God is punishing them for wrongdoing, ignoring the fact that He forgave all the sin of all people for all time through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He cannot punish sin a second time. The only sin yet to be judged and punished is the sin of unbelief in Jesus and the fruit it produces.

John 3:18-19 NIV
[18] “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. [19] This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

What, then, is God’s purpose for suffering in this life?

We will not examine the causes of suffering but rather the outcomes for God’s children.

Suffering, hardships, trials and tests, are some of God’s methods of disciplining His children. Rather than displaying His anger or punishing us for wrongdoing, He is revealing His love to us as His sons and daughters by using hardships to help us overcome the sinful desires of our old nature.

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

Peter put it like this…

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV
[1] “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”

Suffering has a way of bringing us back to earth with a bump. All the trivialities of our lives, the things we put our trust in instead of trusting in the Lord, prove futile. We are thrown back on Him for His grace to steady us in times of extreme difficulties.

In our dark times, sin becomes distasteful. We see its so-called pleasures in a different light. We crave the reality of truth and the comfort and reassurance of God’s loving presence rather than the physical and material pleasures of indulging our sinful natures.

So, the writer assures us, God allows and even orchestrates hard times for us first, because He loves us as His own children and second, because He refuses to let us go our own way. Children left to themselves are in danger of self-destruction. Believers too, without the discipline of suffering, will land up going in the opposite direction to holiness.

God is insistent that the new nature and new lives He has given us prepare us for our eternity in His presence. He does not tolerate sin in any form, not even the sins we commit after our new birth. He forgives us when we come clean because of Jesus’ blood but He also insists that we learn to walk in the Spirit so that we will not satisfy the desires of our flesh.

Romans 8:12-14 NIV
[12] “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. [13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. [14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

We can only show who our real Father is by our behaviour.

Jesus, in His altercation with the Pharisees, had this to say…

John 8:42, 44 NIV
[42] “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me…
[44] You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

There is a relentless war going on inside us, between the flesh and the spirit. This is the war we must win to gain the prize of likeness to Jesus. Our Father graciously helps us by applying the pressure of discipline. In this way, He keeps us dependent and faithful to Him so that we have a correct perspective on life and don’t lose track of our goal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV
[17] “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Without the Father’s constant supervision and the Holy Spirit’s ministry in us through the Word, we would easily be drawn away by our lusts, lose our footing on the truth, and disqualify ourselves from ever reaching the purpose of our lives, God’s presence in His eternal kingdom.

Galatians 5:16-18 NIV
[16] “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Paul issues a severe warning to those who trifle with sin.

Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
[19]”The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this WILL NOT INHERIT the kingdom of God.”

John reassures us…

1 John 3:9-10 NIV
[9]” No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”

Next, our writer reminds his Jewish readers of the origin and function of their religious system. This setup points to two important facts.

First, that God was using human activities to illustrate spiritual truths. Our writer has already reminded his readers that Moses was instructed to construct the tabernacle with its paraphernalia and functions exactly as God had shown him in the mountain.

Hebrews 8:5 NIV
[5] “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Since humans have never been to heaven nor can we imagine heavenly realities, God gave them, in earthly picture form, a pattern of the heavenly to follow.

Second, the people were bound to this system until the types and shadows, which pointed to the spiritual reality had been fulfilled. Let me illustrate…

A soldier leaves home to participate in warfare far from his home country. He takes with him a photograph of the one he loves. In the heat and danger of warfare, he keeps the picture close to his heart, reminding himself of one waiting for him back home. The day comes when he returns to his family and is reunited with his beloved. Will he need the photograph to remind him of her existence? No! He no longer needs the picture since he and she are together in person.

So, since Jesus has come and has done everything the picture was intended to show His people; the types and shadows have become redundant. It would be foolish of them to continue to gaze at the picture of Jesus in the tabernacle worship when He was with them in person, having fulfilled all the obligations of true worship.

Hebrews 9:9 NIV
[9] “This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.”

One thing is clear. The tabernacle system of worship with all its paraphernalia and rigmarole was incomplete. There was no conclusion to its activities. Day after day, the priests did the same thing, offered sacrifices, burnt incense, tended the lamp in the sanctuary, and…and… Costly and repetitive! Did anyone ever ask, “When will this ever end?”

And, worst of all, everything they did in obedience to God’s instructions, made no difference to their guilty consciences. Sin in their lives remained a stark reality. They still disobeyed God in their personal lives and relationships. So, what was the point of it all?

Hebrews 9:11-14 NIV
[11] “But, when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

Thank God for the “but”! Jesus made all the difference in this hopeless situation.

He offered sacrifice to the Father, not on earth but in heaven, opening heaven to us by His own blood.

He offered Himself as a perfect lamb, not an animal that had no power to deal with sin.

His sacrifice atones for the sin of our souls, not just failure to obey the ceremonies of the law.

His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness and changes our hearts from rebel to son.

Hebrews 9:15 NIV
[15] “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Jesus, then, is the mediator of this new covenant. He fulfilled all the requirements of God’s holy law. He redeemed us from sin by His blood. He opened heaven for us to access the Father and to receive all the blessings and benefits of our promised inheritance, eternal life. He ratified this new covenant, once for all, by His own blood.

Our need for a mediator between us and God, a high priest to be our advocate to represent us to the Father, and a sacrifice to atone for our sin are all rolled into one and fulfilled in Jesus.

Hebrews 9:24-28 NIV
[24] “For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. [25] Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. [26] Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, [28] so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

To crown everything Jesus has achieved for us in His own person, He is coming again to complete His great work of salvation. “It is finished!” So He announced from the cross with His last breath, and so it is!

So, John tells us, it’s clear who God’s children are…

1 John 3:9-10 NIV
[9] No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed, (God’s Word), remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. [10] This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

Which way do your desires pull you…towards or away from God?

The Father calls us to surrender to His discipline, to embrace and thank Him for the things we suffer. They are telling us something. We are God’s children. He loves us. He wants us to be holy. He wants us with Him forever. Without holiness we will never see Him. Submit to His discipline. It’s the only way we will ever reach our eternal goal.

To be continued…

THE GOSPEL IN HEBREWS – 19

Bible Study,

Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT
[1] “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

Based on the objective truth of what God has done through Jesus, there is always a “therefore”. Therefore is the bridge between then and now, the reason for a positive response for what has been accomplished for the readers…and us.

“Therefore”, here, is also the witness of those who have proved the merits of remaining faithful. The great cloud of witnesses, as some interpret this passage, are not those who are sitting in heaven, watching us struggle and urging us on. These witnesses are, rather, those who, by their own lives of faithfulness and obedience to Jesus, regardless of the cost, bear witness to the value of persevering. The reward far outweighs the cost.

The real issue is, Jesus is the model for our endurance. He never gave up. For Him, there was a reward so great that it was worth every moment of agony, every drop of blood, to push through to the completion of His mission.

His motivation to endure was the joy that awaited Him. What was it that beckoned Him? Two great rewards…the honour of being crowned “Lord” and the reward of a vast family of brothers and sisters like Himself whom He rescued from eternal damnation.

Isaiah 53:10-12 NLT
[10] “But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. [11] When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. [12] I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.”

So says Isaiah.

We must fasten our attention on Jesus rather than on the present circumstances, no matter how painful or life threatening. The reason we falter is that we often fail to take the long look. Imagine if a young student, entering university to study to become a medical doctor, falters when he faces the first examination. Without an eye on the goal, the difficulties he faces through the long years of study and testing, would surely tempt him to give up. So too, only as we keep our attention on Jesus, follow His example, rely on His grace, and determine in our hears to keep going, will we ever win the prize.

The greatest obstacle to victory is we, ourselves. We trip ourselves up by the very sins we engage in that entangle us and make us lose focus. What kind of sins? For most of us, the so-called big sins, like murder, theft, adultery, etc., are not our problem but…what about the sins we think are little sins, far more subtle but equally damaging, thoughts and attitudes that cloud our minds and, subtly, cause us to become weary or veer off course.

From God’s perspective, whatever we engage in that does not flow from our trust in Jesus is sin. Sin is, in essence, the fruit of unbelief. So, what we think that is not of God, is sin. What we think leads to what we say and do. The source of sin is in our minds. The solution? Change the way we think.

Romans 14:23b NIV
[23] “… everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

This perspective shows us that sin is much more invasive, pervasive, and subtle than we realise. The antidote to our attitude of independence from Jesus, even in the seemingly most insignificant of decisions and actions, is to be fixated, yes, fixated on Jesus. His example, together with His presence in us by His Spirit, is the guarantee that we shall endure to the end, just as He did. He brushed aside every temptation to quit, every test of His faithfulness to His Father, to the Word, and to His goal, every obstacle the enemy threw in His path, yes, even every opportunity to strike back at His opponents…and so must we.

How did Jesus overcome?

1 Peter 2:21-24 NIV
[21] “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

That’s it? That’s the key! Jesus kept His focus on the Father. We, in turn, must keep our eyes on Him. Look at Him… His compassionate and merciful nature, His commitment to His goal, His unwavering reliance on the Father, His knowledge of and obedience to the Word. Who could fault Him?

Just as Jesus is the reason we are saved, so Jesus is our hope to endure. He overcame and so will we because He is in us and we are one with Him. Only this attitude will keep us on track and move us safely to the end of our journey.

John 15:5 NLT
[5] “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

To be continued…

THE GOSPEL IN HEBREWS – 18

Bible Study, ,

Hebrews 11:1-3 NLT
[1] “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. [2] Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. [3] By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”

Faith! What is faith?

Our writer gives a definition that is sometimes difficult to understand. Simply put, faith is confidence in God that He will do everything He said He would do. Our hope is what the end results of His promises will look like.

He said we will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. That’s our hope. So, we believe that everything we are called to suffer now is moving us towards that goal. He said that, if we endure, we will be with Him in glory. So, we persevere through thick and thin because our hope is to be with Him forever.

Faith, then, is the gossamer thread of trust, confidence in God that joins us to Him and His intentions for us. Faith grows stronger every time we push through a trial, a test that strips off another layer of suspicion, mistrust, or doubt that clouds our vision of God’s faithfulness to see us through to the end result.

“Absolute trust is freefallimg into the arms of Jesus, knowing that He will always catch you. “

Hebrews 11, known as “the faith chapter” is a summary of the lives of Israel’s heroes of faith. Many triumphed, some suffered because they had faith in God to do what He promised. Together, they form the “great cloud of witnesses” to the value and merits of trusting God through good and bad. Beyond earth’s experiences lay a life in God’s presence in His eternal city prepared for them, too marvellous to know now but as sure as God Himself.

Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT
[13] “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. [14] Obviously, people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. [15] If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. [16] But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

It is said, “To be heavenly-minded is to be of no earthly use? ” This is a lie and and contrary to the Scriptures. It was because the witnesses of which our writer writes had their hearts and minds set on heaven that they acted in faith at God’s command and endured the often terrible consequences of their obedience.

Without the vision of an eternal reward for faith and obedience, life is nothing more than aimless wandering in a barren and howling wilderness.

We, too, will join that cloud of witnesses as we participate with them in this journey of faith that will take us through the dark valleys of testing and trouble to His eternal city. The great test of faith is to continue when nothing seems to be happening, when the way ahead is foggy and uncertain, when God’s voice is silent, and when the enemy closes in with doubts and fears that threaten us with loss and disappointment for believing in Him.

God’s promise of final victory over all the negatives of this life is for those who endure to the end because they have fixed their gaze on the heavenly and everlasting prize.

To be continued…

THE GOSPEL IN HEBREWS – 17

Bible Study, ,

For the rest of this letter, the writer urges, encourages, and supports those who continue in their faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 10:32-34 NLT
[32] “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. [33] Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. [34] You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.”

He begins his exhortation with “Remember…” A good place to start. They had a history. Everyone has a history.

I learned, a while back, from Jeff Benner, an expert on the language and culture of the ancient Hebrews, that they had a unique perspective on the past and future. Where we, in our western philosophical perspective, view our past as behind us and our future before us, ancient Hebrews saw their past in front of them because they could “see” it in their memory whereas the future, yet unknown and unseen, lay behind them.

“So”, our writer urges, “look at your past. Remember! When you believed in Jesus, you willingly suffered with your fellow believers because you had a hope that better things lay ahead for you.” Despite their suffering, they identified with fellow sufferers because they were in it together and because they had an eternal hope beyond their present.

Hebrews 10:35-39 NLT
[35] “So, do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! [36] Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. [37] “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. [38] And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” [39] But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.”

“Stay with us,” he pleaded. The reward for faith and patience are “out of this world.” Although the future lies behind us and we cannot see the details of our reward for faithfulness… we have God’s infallible promises. Tied in with Jesus’ promise that He will return is the expectation of all that He said would happen when He comes back to set up His kingdom and establish righteousness, justice, and peace on the new earth.

Why would they forfeit (understood), participating in this new eternal order by trying to escape a time of temporary suffering now? What they needed was patient endurance. Push through to the end. Don’t give up. The characteristic of a true child of God is perseverance. Suffering is not intended to destroy but to refine our faith in God. Suffering strips away our dependence on people and things that will fail us. God’s grace alone will hold us steady until we are through the flames of testing and into the realm of eternal bliss. As Paul declared, what we are enduring now pales into nothing when we compare our suffering to what is yet to come.

There is a “table” awaiting those who endure, and a lavish anointing of favour and blessing when we pass through the dark valley. Jesus Himself, the Good Shepherd, is with us to accompany and support us with His authority and power.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
[16] “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

To be continued…

THE GOSPEL IN HEBREWS – 16

Bible Study,

Hebrews 10:26-31 NLT
[26] “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. [27] There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. [28] For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. [30] For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” [31] It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Another warning, even more severe this time!

There is a stark contrast between God’s endless mercy towards those who repent of sin, turn away from unrighteousness, and embrace Jesus as Lord, and the judgment that will fall on unrepentant and rebellious people. Mercy! No mercy!

God is perfectly just. He leaves the choice to every individual. We are our own judges.

If God’s people, under the Old Covenant, perished without mercy for their disobedience, how much more terrible will be the fate of those who refuse God’s salvation through Jesus! God counts as enemies those who treat His Son with contempt. It is as though they are literally trampling Jesus under foot. God’s enemies have only one destiny, the eternal fires of hell.

This warning should be enough to scare the daylights out of unbelieving people. Yet, many still disregard God’s Word, and continue with their wayward lives as though God had never spoken. This stubborn attitude is the worst form of pride…treating God as irrelevant and choosing to do life their way.

Tragically, such people will only find out that God means what He says when it’s too late. The door to mercy will be closed forever. Imagine living forever tormented by literal fire and the inward fire of regret… “If only…” Regret is bad enough in this life, wishing we could turn the clock back on the consequences of our foolish decisions and actions. How much worse will be the torment of those who choose to ignore God and do it their way!

All the explanations from chapter 1 to chapter 10 of this letter conclude with this sobering statement,

Hebrews 10:31 NLT
[31] “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

We can either fall into the hands of a loving Father who holds and keeps us safe forever or we can fall into the hands of an enraged God who carries out His righteous judgment on those who choose to treat Him and His Son with disdain…

And those who do will have no excuse.

To be continued…