Without Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross there is no hope for mankind. God desires mercy. He so loves His creation. John 3:16
God never gives up on us. His agape love for us and all who seek Him will find Him.
Hebrews 4:14–16
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 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. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The New King James Version
Hebrews 7:25–26 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.For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
2 Peter 2:7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations
False teachers will always try to benefit from believers. Coveting makes merchandise of the truth of Christ
Genesis 3:8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
God created both heaven and earth. It was perfect. But man chose evil.
“You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.
In the garden of Eden Adam, Eve and the ruling angel resided. This angel of light, Lucifer, was a perfect cherub until he fell into pride, coveting what God had. This angel, is the ruler of this world. He was cast down into the earth and in his rebellion so were one third of the angels who followed him into perdition.
Isaiah 14:12
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.
Lucifer wanted to exalt himself like God and wanted to be above God. Cast down from his position he now wants nothing more than to destroy anyone who believes in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:4
And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!
God, the creator of heaven and earth will not and cannot share His glory with His creation.
Ezekiel 16:60 Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord God.’ ”
God provided for our only atonement in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins and only in Him, the gift of God, do we have any hope of restoration with our Creator. Carla
Gone through the heavens refers to Jesus’ exaltation. Because Jesus already has ascended into heaven and entered into God’s rest, believers can be confident that they, too, will have a share in God’s rest. Because Jesus established His role as high priest by becoming like us He can understand human struggles. Our weaknesses likely refers to sickness, imprisonment, and ostracism. Jesus faced the same temptations as people. Suffering believers can look to Jesus, who not only pioneered their faith but endured the cross—the cost of obedience to God.
Jesus remained faithful to the one who appointed Him. Unlike other priests, Jesus didn’t need to offer sacrifices for His own sins; instead, He offered Himself unblemished to God. Believers should pray persistently because Jesus empathizes with human weakness. He continues to make intercession for those who draw near to God.
In the Jerusalem temple, only the high priest could enter the most holy place—and only once per year on the Day of Atonement. By offering Himself once for all, Jesus made a way for believers to draw near to God. The throne of grace is the place of God’s presence, from which grace emanates to His people. God’s throne sits in the heavenly temple—the counterpart of the earthly temple. Christ is the merciful high priest who mediates on our behalf. Because of His work, God grants mercy to believers when they sin. God strengthens His people when they undergo temptation or endure any type of hardship. Faithlife Study Bible
Then refers back to the subject of the High Priesthood of Christ. We have indicates possession. In the Old Testament the high priest of Israel passed through the courts and veils into the Most Holy Place. Our High Priest has passed through the heavens to the very presence of God, where He sits at God’s right hand. Sympathize means “to suffer with” and expresses the feeling of one who has entered into suffering. In all points tempted means Jesus experienced every degree of temptation. Come is the same Greek word translated draw. This command strongly contrasts with God’s command at Mt. Sinai: “Do not go up to the mountain or touch its base (Exodus 19:12). Because of Christ’s priestly work, believers can approach God’s presence. The writer of Hebrews is expressing the openness of God’s call in Christ, “Come”. Boldly is the same word that is rendered confidence and means “plainness of speech,” “fearlessness,” or “courage.” Believers should courageously approach God in prayer because His is a throne of grace, and our High Priest sits at His right hand interceding for us. The NKJV Study Bible
Hebrews 2:17–3:1 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted…
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Hebrews 6:20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
God has sent a Helper to us. Jesus promised His disciples, "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:26). The Spirit helps us understand God's voice (John 16:13-14) and directs our steps (Galatians 5:16). 2. God fully knows and understands the future, so we don't have to. Knowing the entire future would be too much for us to bear. It is merciful that God doesn't reveal everything to us, although He does promise He has good plans (Jeremiah 29:11-12) and knows every day of our lives before it happens (Psalm 139:16-17). God promises to deliver His people. Knowing this, we can serve Him daily and carry out the work He calls us to do. But we know because of Christ's death and resurrection, evil has been defeated (Colossians 2:15) and also will be defeated forever. All things will be made new (Revelation 21:1-5). First5
However, I believe that in our fear-induced world, our energy is given to casting a watchful eye to the danger always lurking (or the enemies always at bay). In other words, I live this moment anticipating fear.
But it's not just about caution. Yes, I do understand that there are times when caution is called for. What troubles me is that more often than not, I trade in my freedom or imagination or choice or intention or unabashed delight or even my contentment, because I am certain I may rock the boat... or that I don't deserve it, or that I haven't earned it, or that I have colored outside the lines, and must pay the price.
I don't want to live my life in fear.
But I want to live deliberately. True, some caution is warranted. But here's the deal: To really care, to grieve, to love, to begin again, to give birth to passion...
To open your heart, accept loss, be overcome by beauty, sustain friendship...
To sit in stillness, wrestle with prayer and faith...
To speak the truth, and offer sanctuary to joy, sadness or injustice, requires a heart willing to accept the risk.
Yes, and who knows, to be broken wide open. Let us not forget... Blessed are you who know deep in your bones—even in the broken—that you are beautiful. And beloved. And sacred. And worthy. And believed. And held. And capable of healing beyond your wildest imagination.Sabbath Moments
No comments:
Post a Comment