Short Thoughts for Today

My previous "short thoughts" came from the first verse of Hebrews chapter eleven. Before looking at any of the specific persons, or acts of faith named in the chapter, today's thoughts will come from verses 2-3. As the Hebrew writer continues his introduction to this "chapter of faith", speaking of faith, he is inspired to write, "For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible."

I live at a very different time but I share something in common with these "men of old". I have also "gained approval" by faith. Through His grace, and by faith in the Lord Jesus I have been made a child of God. I have been adopted as a son through Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for this great truth of scripture! Where would I be if it were not so? It is a dreadful thought indeed. How could I dare seek to gain approval some other way? I am so thankful that I find myself in Christ and sealed therein by the Holy Spirit of promise. I find that I am amongst a small but most privileged group of people in the world to whom God has seen fit to reveal the truth of His Son. Yes, I am amongst those who have found forgiveness of their sins in Christ.

A final thought on a truth the author speaks of in the third verse. The creation that is all around us is awe inspiring. Its vastness, majesty and intricacy is beyond our comprehension. But we must stop for a moment to consider that God created it out of nothing. Look to the highest mountain tops if you will or into the deepest of the seas. Consider man and all other created things that dwell upon the earth. Study their complexity. Gaze into the heavens with the most powerful of telescopes and consider the galaxies He allows us to see. Study the tides, gravity, weather, etc. But remember, "what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." There is no doubt in my mind that in this passage we are being challenged to consider the wonder of our Creator God, that we, along with the "men of old", may live lives of faith. Faith that is directed at Jesus, "the author and perfecter of faith".

Short Thoughts for Today

As I continue with my hope of "blogging" through the Book of Hebrews, I find myself beginning the eleventh chapter as I share some "short thoughts" today. I will only look at the first verse today, where the Hebrew author writes "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." It is by His grace, that the Lord has given us this biblical definition of faith.

First, a thought about the "things hoped for". As believers in Christ, I suppose that each of us could make a list of these things. The list could be short or be quite long. My short list would simply be the hope of seeing Christ face to face, as this is the hope of my faith. In addition to being "present with the Lord", my long list would include the privilege to serve Him, His promised return, meeting Him in the air, obtaining a resurrected body and eternal dwelling place, and the fulfillment of all He has promised, both in this life and for
eternity.

I have assurance of these things. My assurance is based on the character and attributes of Almighty God, His infallible word, and the finished work of Christ. He is the reason for the strong conviction ofthe "things not seen". I have not yet seen Him face to face but I will do so one day. I have not yet seen what it will be like meeting Him in the clouds but I know it draws nearer each day. I have not yet seen a resurrected body, but one day I will have one and see multitudes of others. I have not yet seen this place He is preparing for me but one day I will dwell there forever. I have not yet seen death, but I know that I have already passed from death unto life and that death has no dominion over me.

As I think of the "things not seen", I must say that I'm compelled to consider the things that are seen. I have seen Him change lives, including mine. I have seen Him answer prayers, including those from my lips. I have seen His faithfulness, including His faithfulness to me. I have seen the truth of His word, both in the world and in my life. I have seen Him give peace when there was none to be had. I have seen Him give hope when there was none in sight. I believe you know what I mean.

The assurance and conviction that we read about today does not somehow spring forth from within us, absent the Spirit of God. The flesh is quick to doubt, to question, to second guess and to not believe the things of God. Our assurance and conviction can only be found in Him. This is true because of the sureness and certainty of God. He has proven Himself faithful. It is the Creator, the One and only Sovereign who is our guarantee, our confidence and our security. No, I have not seen Him with my eyes, but I believe Him!

Short Thoughts for Today

In Hebrews 10:38-39 we read, "BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." Today's "short thoughts" will come from these final two verses of chapter ten. They serve as somewhat of an introduction to Chapter 11, often referred to as "the faith chapter".

It is the will of God that we believe Him, trust Him, have faith in Him. We are called to live by faith and not by sight. As we have received Him by faith we are called to walk in Him by faith. He is worthy to be the object of our faith. He is worthy to be believed. Praise the Lord that ours is a faith "to the preserving of the soul" and "not of those who shrink back to destruction." But we may ask, why is this so? I will caution against any boasting. The Apostle Paul was inspired to write that he would only boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord". My faith in Him is victorious because, "He who promised is faithful".

Today's passage does not suggest some sort of perfection that we must attain too in order to avoid "destruction". This "preserving of the soul" kind of faith is possessed by all who have believed, all who have been "born again". I have purposely limited this group to those who have "believed" according to the scriptural truth of salvation by grace through faith. Not all who have made a profession of faith are counted amongst those who have "believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son" and "The Lord knows those who are His". My soul is preserved because of His faithfulness. We are so blessed!

Short Thoughts for Today

I appreciate the truth seen in the passage of scripture that is the basis for today's short thoughts. Divinely inspired, in Hebrews 10:37, the Hebrew author writes, "FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY." Go ahead and say, "Amen!" Go ahead and say, "Praise God!" Go ahead and say, "Thank you, Jesus!"

Yesterday I shared some thoughts regarding the necessity of endurance in Christian living. Before that, we discussed the "better" and "lasting" possession we have that transcends the conflicts and sufferings that can be ours this side of glory. But today we are reminded of a future event that's as sure as today's setting sun and the rising of the same tomorrow.

Assuring His disciples, Jesus had said, "If I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you may be also." None of us can possibly know just how long a "very little while" is to the One who is eternal. But without a doubt, each day draws us nearer to His coming. We may not be able to mark it down a date and time certain on our calendars. But the certainty of its occurrence has been long established in His word and we
can look forward with assurance that, "HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME"!

Short Thoughts for Today

As I continue to "blog" through the book of Hebrews, today's passage of scripture will be Hebrews 10:36. In this single verse the author is inspired to write, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." Make no mistake about it and do not allow anyone to convince you otherwise, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have need of endurance! If you have recently come to know the Savior, you may not know what I am talking about. You will soon learn that doing "the will of God" is met with much opposition. There is opposition from the flesh, the world, and the devil.

But if you have been a Christian for any length of time, I suspect that you already know this truth. Similar admonishments are found throughout scripture. We are encouraged to not lose heart, to faint not, to hold fast, to stand firm and to persevere. We are called to keep seeking the things above, to keep sober in spirit and to press on towards the goal and towards maturity. The things that happen in a moment are positional truths. This would include our salvation, the forgiveness of our sins, our baptism in the Spirit, our entrance into the body of Christ, our position in the family of God, the establishment of our inheritance and the surety of all that is promised to those who are in Christ.

But the Christian life, although bathed in opportunities for abundance, necessitates endurance. Perhaps there is someone who is reading this right now that is saying, "I can't endure any longer". I will boldly yet lovingly say, that in and through Christ, you can. God calls us to endure but He desires not that we do so on our own, or that we attempt endurance in our own limited strength. He wishes to be our strength. Endurance is found
in Him. He may use His word or His Spirit, which dwells within us. Or He may choose to work though another member of the body of Christ as He sustains you. Welcome His provisions.

Remember that the famous words of the Apostle Paul are much more than just words. Divinely inspired, Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I need not specify that "all things" include the endurance to do His will. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we will one day receive all that has been promised the children of God. With this hope before us, and the endurance that is found in Christ, let us seek to do His
will as we await His return.

Short Thoughts for Today

Today's passage of scripture for my "short thoughts" is found in Hebrews 10:32-35 where the author writes, "But remember the former days, when after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throwaway your confidence, which has a great reward."

If I had to summarize my thoughts regarding today's scripture in just a few short words I would say, remember the faithfulness of God and the treasures that are ours as members of the body of Christ! Like the original recipients of the letter, are there not times when we all need to "remember the former days"? Remember our salvation. Remember those times of earnest prayer and the answers to prayer we have experienced. Remember the joys of fellowship. The joy of singing together, reading and studying His word together or just enjoying all that we have in common with those who believe. Perhaps you will not agree, but we may need to remember the sorrows. Not for sorrow's sake but to remember the comfort of God that came through His word or through the life of a brother or sister in Christ, praying and weeping together as His will was sought.

As the writer is inspired to remind us in today's verses, we have for ourselves "a better possession and a lasting one". It cannot be taken away and we cannot be separated from it. The "confidence" or faith we have in the One who is forever faithful has "a great reward". All who have "walked in the Spirit" know this to be true. But something serious is implied both here and in other areas of God's word. The volition that is the believer's. So the writer admonishes all who may find themselves in such a situation, "do not throw away your confidence". I believe this confidence is ours to have but we ought not take it for granted. We should grow in it and cling to it. And when afforded the privilege we should be a help and not a hinderance to our brothers and sisters in Christ holding onto theirs. 

Short Thoughts for Today

Although I chose to divide them due to their length, verses 28 through 31 of Hebrews, chapter ten are a continuation of verses 26 and 27 that I commented on yesterday. Here the author continues to address those who might "go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth" and the expectation of God's judgment that is before them. He writes, "Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY" And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. " It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Perhaps there is no other judgment more severe for the one professing faith in Christ than to be judged by God as having "trampled under foot the Son of God" or to have "insulted the Spirit of grace". Today's passage suggests that this person "deserves" a "severer punishment" than those who where put to death for setting aside the Law of Moses! We may find some solace in knowing that God often tempers what we deserve with grace. But in this case there is no indication that we should expect so. We should only be terrified.

Only God has the right to make this judgment and determine and implement the punishment for it. I have seen men point to events in the lives of other believers and name them as indicators of God's judgment in their lives. I caution against such declarations. We have not the wisdom nor insight into the ways of the Almighty to make such determinations.

What I do believe to be true and what we have seen in these last two days is that God is sovereign and retains the right to judge His people. He does so rightly and justly. The Lord has declared that vengeance is His and that He will repay. This ought to be terrifying to the one who goes on sinning willfully.