Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 9:15-22.

 

“¹⁵ For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.  ¹⁶ For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.  ¹⁷ For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.  ¹⁸ Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.”  ²¹ And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  Hebrews 9:15-22.

 

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As an attorney who practices in the area of wills, trusts, estates, and probate, it is interesting to me to think of the analogy of a Last Will and Testament to this new covenant.  Hopefully, the readers too are more familiar with Last Will and Testaments (than covenants) which will also help them better understand this Scripture through the use of an analogy of a Last Will and Testament and administration of an estate, keeping in mind the reservation of general limitations of the use of any analogy. 

 

Think of God as the testator of the Last Will and Testament a/k/a the new covenant.  Here is His Last Will and Testament: 

 

“¹⁰ “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:

I will put My laws into their minds,
And I will write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
¹¹ “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,
And everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For all will know Me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
¹² “For I will be merciful to their iniquities,
And I will remember their sins no more.”  Hebrews 8:10-12.

 

This is God’s Last Will and Testament.  This is His new covenant.  There are no more wills.  There are no more covenants.  

 

Now, we go back to today’s Scripture to see how this Last Will and Testament makes provision for beneficiaries as specified in Scripture.  “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called (the beneficiaries) may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  Verse 15.   

 

Going back to the analogy of a Last Will and Testament, we know that a will does not become effective until the person who wrote it (the testator) dies.  Until the death of the testator, the Last Will and Testament can be revoked or amended by the testator.

 

Now, we go back to today’s Scripture.  Like a Last Will and Testament, “For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.  For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.”  Verses 16 and 17.  Jesus died as God the Son to bring God’s Last Will and Testament into “force”.  Jesus made that Last Will and Testament “accepted into probate” and effective.  This is one role of Jesus as mediator of the new covenant.  We will later see more roles of Jesus as mediator of the new covenant. 

 

After the death of the testator, the terms of the Last Will and Testament cannot be changed.  “Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.”  Galatians 3:15.  In a sense, Jesus ratified God’s Last Will and Testament by His death on the cross.  The provisions of God’s Last Will and Testament were locked in and irrevocable upon the death of Jesus Christ as mediator of this new covenant, although you can also state that God the Father ratified His own covenant by His own oath.   See Hebrews 6:16-18.    

 

Going back to the analogy of a Last Will and Testament, we know that even after death and the Last Will and Testament is accepted into probate, there still needs to be administration of the estate according to the terms of the Last Will and Testament.  There needs to be an Executor (term used in most northern states) or “Personal Representative” (term used here in Florida).  

 

Now, we go back to today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ is that Executor a/k/a Personal Representative.  God’s covenant a/k/a Last Will and Testament specified who are the Elect, the beneficiaries of God’s estate, and Who is the Executor a/k/a Personal Representative of His estate.  Jesus as mediator died for those Elect, so that “those who have been called (the Elect, the beneficiaries) may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance”.  Verse 15.  Jesus needed to die for the Elect, because “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  Verse 22.  This is “Limited Atonement”. 

 

There is more administration of the estate needed.  Jesus sent His Spirit to irresistibly draw His Elect into saving faith.  This is “Irresistible Grace”.  Jesus sent His Spirit to preserve God’s Elect to salvation.  This is “Preservation of the Saints”.

 

In conclusion, as stated in the very beginning of this devotion, there are general limitations of the use of any analogy, so this analogy of a Last Will and Testament and administration of estate is certainly not perfect.  Of course, we should foremost directly try to understand Scripture and use other Scripture as cross references.  But, analogies can be helpful to a partial, imperfect extent as I hope this analogy of a Last Will and Testament and administration of an estate is helpful. 

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 9:15.

 

“For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  Hebrews 9:15. 

 

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Jesus is “the mediator of a new covenant”.  Jesus died for “those who have been called (so that they) may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance”.  The Elect are “those who have been called”.  This is “Unconditional Election” and “Limited Atonement”, the “U” and “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. 

 

“Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?”  Hebrews 7:11.

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:18-19.

“For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:28.

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.”  Hebrews 8:7.

“When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.  But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.”  Hebrews 8:13.

And, we also see other Scripture outside of the Book of Hebrews about the need for this new covenant.

 “… For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:21-26.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

 

What shall we say then?  Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law;  for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”  But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law;  but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:4-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 9:1-14.

 

“¹ Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary.  ² For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread;  this is called the holy place.  ³ Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, ⁴ having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant;  ⁵ and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat;  but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

 

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.  ⁸ The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time.  Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.

 

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;  ¹² and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.  ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  Hebrews 9:1-14.

 

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“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary.”  Verse 1.  “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;  and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”  Verses 11 and 12.

                              

 “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  Verses 13 and 14.

 

Here is what the Belgic Confession states in part about what was accomplished by this blood of Christ:

 

 

 

Here is what the Canons of Dordt states in part in Article 8 of the “SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men” about what was accomplished by this blood of Christ: 

 

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 8:7-13.

 

“⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.  ⁸ For finding fault with them, He says,

                                 

“Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
When I will effect a new covenant
With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
⁹ Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers
On the day when I took them by the hand
To lead them out of the land of Egypt;
For they did not continue in My covenant,
And I did not care for them, says the Lord.
¹⁰ “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:
I will put My laws into their minds,
And I will write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
¹¹ “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,
And everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For all will know Me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
¹² “For I will be merciful to their iniquities,
And I will remember their sins no more.”

 

Although the distinction between the old covenant and new covenant thus helps us to better understand the unconditional nature of the covenant, there is a sense that there is only one unconditional covenant throughout history.  God did not go to “Plan B” after the Fall or after witnessing the nation of Israel sin.  Before the foundation of the world, God chose His elect for salvation and planned and promised to do everything necessary for their salvation.  This is “TULIP”:  “Unconditional Election” through “Preservation of the Saints”.  “When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.  But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.”   Verse 13.      

 

“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure‘;
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46: 9-11.

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”   Ephesians 1:3-6.

    

Here are additional articles on the Covenant from the Protestant Reformed Churches denomination under the section titled “Doctrine” –  Click here: Pamphlets and Articles

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 8:1-6.

 

“¹ Now the main point in what has been said is this:  we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ² a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.  ³ For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices;  so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.  ⁴ Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;  ⁵ who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”  ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.”  Hebrews 8:1-6.

 

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Jesus “has obtained a more excellent ministry”.  Verse 6. 

 

 

The more excellent ministry of Jesus is based on Jesus’ location in “His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens”.  Verses 1 and 2.  “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25. 

 

The more excellent ministry of Jesus is based on Jesus’ ability to offer heavenly things for His people including but not limited to His sacrifice on the cross which served as propitiation (appeasement) for His people and which resulted in eternal life for His people.  Verses 3, 4, and 5.  “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”  Hebrews 2:17  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10:27-28. 

 

The more excellent ministry of Jesus is based on His role as “the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises”.  Verse 6.  “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”  Hebrews 9:15

                        

God willing, in our next devotion, we will look at some of the better promises upon which Jesus’ more excellent ministry has been enacted.  

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 7:23-28.

 

“²³ The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, ²⁴ but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

 

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  ²⁷ who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:23-28.

 

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Jesus is the perfect high priest.  He “continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently”.  Verse 24.  He is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens”.  Verse 26.  He “does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself”.  Verse 27.  He is the Son of God, appointed by God, “made perfect forever”.  Verse 28.

“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”  Verse 25.

That seems like more than enough and a fitting conclusion.  But, Paul again emphasizes the weakness of the Law in contrast to the strength and perfection of Jesus who is able to save forever.  “For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Verse 28. 

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:18-19.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 7:11-22.

 

“¹¹ Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?  ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.  ¹³ For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.  ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.  ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.  ²⁰ And inasmuch as it was not without an oath ²¹ (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”  Hebrews 7:11-22.

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“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Verses 18 and 19. 

“Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?”  Verse 11.

 “… For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:21-26.

Don’t go back to the “physical requirement” of the Law.  Cling to the “indestructible life” of Christ.  See Verse 16.    

For those who would reject this “better hope” and still cling to the Law, there is this warning.  “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”  Galatians 3:10. 

God’s seal of approval is on Jesus.   

“The Lord has sworn
And will not change His mind,
‘You are a priest forever”.  See Verse 21.

“so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”  Verse 22.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 7:1-10.

 

“¹ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.  ³ Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

 

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.  ⁵ And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.  ⁶ But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.  ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.  ⁸ In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.  ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.”  Hebrews 7:1-10.

 

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“Now observe how great this man (Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God) was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.”  Verse 4.  We make this observation, because Jesus was “according to the likeness of Melchizedek”,  Hebrews 7:15.  “For it is attested of Him (Jesus),

First, the translation of Melchizedek’s name is “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”.  Verse 2.  Like Mechizedek, Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” who became to us “righteousness”.    

Isaiah 9:6
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;  And the government will rest on His shoulders;  And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

1 Corinthians 1:30
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”

Second, “Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.”  Verse 3.  Like Mechizedek seemed to be, Jesus is eternal.  Here is part of Calvin’s commentary about this verse:  

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 6:13-20.

 

“¹³ For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”  ¹⁵ And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  ¹⁶ For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.  ¹⁷ In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  ¹⁹ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, ²⁰ where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 6:13-20.

 

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“I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”  God made the promise and “interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us”.  So, what does the promise mean to us?  What is this “hope we have as an anchor of the soul”?  

 

Galatians 4:3 refers to the promise of the Holy Spirit:  “in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”  

 

Galatians 5:5 refers to the hope of righteousness:  “For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”

 

Hebrews 12:22-24 refers to the hope and promise of heaven and the presence of God, Jesus, angels, and “the spirits of the righteous made perfect”:    “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”

 

Titus 1:2 and Titus 3:7 refer to “… the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,”  Titus 1:2  “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:7

 

We don’t search Scriptures to find the end of the promise and hope;  there is no end:  “but just as it is written,

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 6:9-12.

 

“⁹ But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.  ¹⁰ For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.  ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Hebrews 6:9-12.

 

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Following the warning of the previous Scripture so that we don’t coast to the finish line, today’s Scripture encourages us:  “we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation”.  Verse 9.  It reminds us that “God is not unjust so as to forget your work”  Verse 10.  It shows the “desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end”.  Verse 11.  It exhorts us to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Verse 12. 

 

 

 

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;”  Hebrews 10:23. 

 

Deuteronomy 7:9
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;”

 

Deuteronomy 32:4
“The Rock!  His work is perfect, For all His ways are just;  A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”

 

Psalm 89:8
“O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD?  Your faithfulness also surrounds You.”

 

Psalm 98:3
“He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”

 

Isaiah 25:1
“O LORD, You are my God;  I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;  For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”

 

1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

2 Corinthians 1:18
“But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.”

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 4:9
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life;  but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”

 

Deuteronomy 6:7
“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

 

Deuteronomy 6:17
“You should diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you.”

 

Joshua 23:11
“So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God.”

 

Proverbs 13:4
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.”

 

Isaiah 26:9
“At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently;  For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”

 

2 Timothy 2:15
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

 

Hebrews 4:11
“Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”

 

2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;”

 

2 Peter 3:14
“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,”

 

 

 

Imitate Abraham:  “In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;  yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.  Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness.”  Romans 4:18-22.