Tag Hebrews

A Better Country

Todd R Leave a comment

In Hebrews chapter 11 there is a list of Biblical figures who “by faith” were obedient to God, but it also says that, in this life, their faith was not fully rewarded.  Everyone mentioned in the chapter “died in faith, cnot having received the things promised”[1]  But these faithful examples knew that God wouldn’t fail them.  In this world, they would be unfulfilled, “but as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”[2]

Their obedience was motivated not by current, earthly reward, but by future rewards in a new heaven and new earth.  Although Peter tells us “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you,”[3] Paul wrote “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”[4]  In this world, we will have trials and experience persecution, which means that much of what a Christian has to be thankful for is in the future.

However, our faithful actions can be motivated by a future hope, just as those listed in Hebrews 11 were.  Because of the unchanging character of God, and His faithfulness, we can be so sure of our heavenly future that we can be thankful for it now.  God promises “a better country” and He is trustworthy.

Do we desire this “better country”?  While we wander in this world, do we believe that “a better country” is possible?  Do we believe God when He says He has promised us our place in it?  Jesus said “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”[5]

If we trust God for our future in eternity, we have much more to live for and to be thankful for than we have right now!  When you count your blessings, don’t forget the ones in the future that you can count on.

“Desire a better country.”

[1] Hebrews 11:13a
[2] Hebrews 11:16a
[3] 1 Peter 4:12
[4] Romans 8:18
[5] John 14:2

When Memory Fades

Todd R 4 Comments

As I get older, I realize more and more the value of memory even as it gets harder to remember things.  Over time, we have more stored in our memory from our past, including many treasured moments, but also thoughts of troubled times.  But it can also be harder to remember at all.  It’s like there’s no more room!  In my teens, I could often read a Bible verse only once and recite it accurately from memory citing chapter and verse.  Now, I too often feel like the author of Hebrews, who wrote in Hebrews 4:4-5:

“For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.’  And again in this passage he said, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

These verses have to do with the rest God provides His people, but did you also notice that the writer didn’t remember where his own Old Testament quotations came from?  They came from “somewhere” and “in this passage.”  This means that we can all benefit from Scripture even with an imperfect memory, not remembering chapter and verse.  We shouldn’t be discouraged by our memory but should instead work to apply what we know as the writer of Hebrews did.

Also, I’ve heard people (even younger people) say things like this: “when I study the Bible, I don’t remember what I read, so why bother reading it?”  I once heard an illustration about this.  Imagine pouring water into a wicker basket.  The water passes through it, right?  So what’s gained by pouring water into something that doesn’t hold it?  However, think about what the water does to the basket.  It’s cleaner after it’s been drenched with water!  Likewise, even if we don’t retain all, or even most, of what we learn in our Bible study, at least our souls are cleaner as a result.  God doesn’t need us to remember everything in order to do His work in us.

So, even if we only know God’s word from “somewhere,” at least we know it and at least it can help us follow Him more faithfully. Don’t be discouraged if your memory isn’t what your memory tells you that it once was.  And don’t be discouraged if you can’t recall everything you study, because God says “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect.  He’s already accomplished that for us!

We Will Not Live in Tents Forever

Todd R 1 Comment

The apostle Paul was likely one of the finest Old Testament scholars of his day, and sometimes draws on existing imagery to make a point.  One example might be Proverbs 14:11-12, where the second verse is more widely known than the first, but not unrelated:

“The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
            but the tent of the upright will flourish.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
            but its end is the way to death.”

Physically, it seems obvious that a house is far more durable than a tent, but both of these Proverbs tell us not to judge by appearances.  Looks and reputation may suggest otherwise, but it is righteousness that determines eternal destiny, specifically acceptance of Jesus’ righteousness.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1-3, Paul gives an example of why we should focus not on what “seems right”, but instead focus on the unseen things that matter for eternity, drawing on the tent image:

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.”

Photo by Hendrik Morkel on Unsplash

Paul, defending his apostleship to the Corinthians amidst his suffering while other false apostles lived in ease, knew that an upright tent was better than a wicked house in God’s eyes, and therefore being less comfortable was entirely worth it, since there was an eternal reward waiting in heaven.

Commenting on 2 Corinthians 5, Warren Wiersbe notes that “Heaven was not simply a destination for Paul: it was a motivation.  Like the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, he looked for the heavenly city and governed his life by eternal values.”[1]

When frustrated by your earthly limitations, or frustrated by discomfort in this world, know that we will not live in these tents forever.  For His faithful, God is preparing an eternal dwelling for us.  While it “seems right to a man” to think a house is better than a tent, every tent and house in this world is temporary.  Hebrews 1:12 says of all creation, the earth and all the heavens, that:

“like a robe you will roll them up,
            like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
            and your years will have no end.”

Do we long for our new, eternal heavenly dwelling?  Does this longing motivate us to live for God?  Let us keep Driving Toward Morning today!

[1] Wiersbe, Warren.  Be Encouraged (2 Corinthians) (1994).  P. 69.

Christianity is Not in Decline. Ever.

Todd R 1 Comment
The tomb is still empty!

Too much of what we hear and read in this world is filled with phrases like “post-Christian world,” or “Christianity’s decline.”  Or we could read that we’re “living in the ruins of Christendom.”  However, because Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” our hope is not based on any ruin or decline we see in the communities and world around us.  While other things may end up in ruins or in decline, Christianity does not.  It was not in decline on Good Friday when Jesus died on the cross and it is not in decline now.

The best of the kingdom of God is always in the future, never in the past.  His kingdom is advancing daily.

Today, many will hear the good news of the kingdom of Jesus, and some may hear and be saved!  Also today, none will be snatched out of His hand! (See John 10:28)

Going On to Maturity

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The New Testament book of Hebrews is one of my favorite books of the Bible, laying out many truths about Jesus and their connections to Old Testament practices and images.  But the author doesn’t tell us about these things to satisfy our curiosity, but to help us grow closer to God.  To grow more mature in our faith.  Near the middle of the book, in Hebrews 6:1, the author wrote:

“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God”

The writer is saying here that there is more to Christian maturity than “repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,” but that these things are the foundation of maturity.  As this verse begins with a “therefore,” we should ask what that word is there for.  At the end of Hebrews 5, the author had written about his audience needing to be taught “basic principles,” which he referred to as “milk.”[1]  These believers need to move on to the “solid food” of mature believers, “those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”[2]

But this does not mean we can abandon the “basic principles” of the Christian faith and leave them behind.  John Calvin wrote that, “in building a house we must never leave the foundation; and yet to be always engaged in laying it, would be ridiculous. For as the foundation is laid for the sake of what is built on it, he who is occupied in laying it and proceeds not to the superstruction, wearies himself with foolish and useless labor.”

It does mean that maturity takes “constant practice,” which takes time and commitment.  Time we could spend rebuilding the foundation again but instead should be spending training ourselves to “distinguish good from evil.” Sometimes we put too much effort into knowing about God, rather than into getting to know Him personally, in the relationship He intended.  Knowing God includes loving what He loves and hating what He hates, which doesn’t happen overnight, and doesn’t happen at all if we don’t focus on it appropriately.

I haven’t nearly fully developed my relationship with God.  I have a long way to go, and always will, but Christian sanctification works itself out in lifelong growth and it requires us to train our discernment over time.  A long time.

“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity”

We’ll get there someday.  He guarantees that someday we will be fully mature!

[1] Hebrews 5:12
[2] Hebrews 5:14