After taking a break last week, to share a word that I believe was from God (2016 – Year of Testimonies), I am now returning to Hebrews. Today was a rather difficult post to write, as there are some challenging things to write about. Let’s get straight into it.
Read the first 18 verses. What do you get from that? I find it really interesting, the difference between the Old Covenant sacrifices and Jesus’ sacrifice. The thing that I find interesting is how the Old Covenant sacrifice description, is probably closer to how most of us see ourselves today. This is rather upsetting to me. What do I mean by this? It says that the sacrifices reminded them of their sins, offering the same sacrifices day after day. Does this sound familiar? Are we constantly reminded about our sins and do we feel that we have to keep offering the same sins up to God? This is not how we should be. Let’s take a look at what Jesus’ sacrifice means for us. Our feelings of guilt would disappear, we have once and for all been made holy, our sins have been forgiven for all time, we have been made perfect and there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. Does this sound like you? If we’re honest, we probably live closer to the first description, than the second. This is wrong. I went to a more traditional church for a Christmas Eve service, and it was very focused on our sin and how we need forgiveness. We already have forgiveness. Let’s live like we do. Is this something that you need to change your attitude about? I’ll leave that with you to decide.
The next thing that I want to discuss is verse 19. And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Really, can we really enter boldly? That doesn’t sound right. Most churches teach that we are sinners, and we should grovel and beg God to do something because we don’t really deserve it. The Bible teaches that we are a new creation, made holy, and can boldly approach heaven’s Most Holy Place. Who’s right? With all due respect, I’m believing what the Bible says. What do you believe? Now don’t get all upset with me, I know that the Bible teaches on humility, but being humble does not mean putting ourselves down. It also does not mean underestimating what Jesus has done for us. It is there so that we do not boast in our ability. Let’s move on. The passage then goes on to show us how we need to have faith in God’s promises and believe. This is again something that most people will say, but do we always do it? I’m not sure. I don’t think we do it nearly enough. This is the journey that I am on, stepping out on the water, further and further from the boat. It is scary, but well worth it!
It then goes on to give us a warning, which I would like to clarify. Depending on the version of Bible that you are reading, it may appear that any sins which you make after being saved can not be forgiven. This is not true. The truth of this passage is about people who deliberately chose a life of sin, and reject Jesus’ sacrifice. Once you have been saved, all of your sins (future ones included) have been forgiven. Please don’t misunderstand this passage, it is not there to heap guilt on you, that is the devil’s job, and he does not need any help. This is to give us a sense of urgency to preach the gospel, and to make sure that we accept it in its entirety. There is no other way to be forgiven, there is no other way into heaven, other than accepting Jesus as your saviour. That is what this passage is talking about.
So does this mean we can go on sinning? They asked Paul the same question, and this is what he said, “Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
Don’t let sin hold you back, just turn away from it. Approach God with boldness and step out in faith.
Until next time.
Richard
walking on water ministries 