Better by Far - 6
The Excellency of Christ in the Book of Hebrews
Hebrews is the book of better things. The Hebrew converts to Christianity needed to know that. Some of then were thinking seriously of returning to the Jewish faith, So Hebrews was written to show that the better way is the Christian way. We've seen that Christ is better than the angels, than Moses, and Joshua. Chapter 4 Verse 14 to Chapter 10 Verse 39 show Christ as superior to Aaron and the Aaronic priesthood. We look today at Chapter 6. This chapter continues the theme of exhorting the believers to make progress in the faith. Since Jesus is our great high priest then we must respond to Him in a manner worthy of Him. If we see better things in Jesus He should see better things in us. The writer says to the faithful in verse 9, "we are confident of better things in your case". What are these better things? He says in the same verse, "things that accompany salvation". These things include progress, maturity and development. How can we make sure that we're moving on to better things in our walk with God?
First of all we need to make sure we are really a child of God and that we are not deceiving ourselves. The key sign to real conversion is growth in Christian maturity. Paul says in verse one, "Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on the maturity". We will have advanced from the basics of the faith. Verse one says we should be moving on from, "the foundation of repentance - faith in God, baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement". When real progress isn't happening it's possible that we're deceiving ourselves and we don't really know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour.
Verses 4 - 8 are regarded by most Bible scholars as one of the most difficult passages in scripture. We read of those who appear to be falling away from their salvation. If this is possible then it contradicts the promises made by Jesus about the certainty of believers getting to heaven in the end. For example, Jesus said in John Chapter 10 Verse 28, "I give eternal life, and they shall never perish". That's an unconditional promise of security! If you're truly in Christ you'll never be out of Christ. You are not kept by your own efforts. Peter says in 1 Peter Chapter 1 Verse 5 that true believers, "are shielded by God's power until the coming salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time". It's one thing to taste God's word and another to digest it and make it yours. The Lord Jesus warns of the possibility of experience that falls short of real heart conversion. In Matthew 13 He tells the parable of the sower. He says in verses 20 and 21, "What was shown on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away". The man was 'enlightened' and emotionally moved but he was never really saved. Jesus says in Matthew Chapter 7 Verse 22 -23, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evil doers!"
That being the case what is the sign of a real Christian? The answer is progress in spiritual maturity. Nothing more nothing less! How is this progress in maturity attained? Paul refers to a farmer. He says in Verse 7, "Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop to those for whom it is farmed receives a blessing of God". The farmer cultivates his field. There needs to be the ploughing of the field of your life by the word of God. Study it and allow it to shape your thinking and living. That brings 'blessing from God'. Duncan Campbell experienced revival during his ministry in the Hebrides. A woman approached him and said, "I've read my Bible all the way through". Duncan Campbell replied, "Good, but has the Bible been all the way through you?" Another factor that produces spiritual maturity is a loving commitment to God and His people. Verse 10 says, "God is not unjust, He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people". You will grow in the Lord as you love Him and serve Him. As you invest time in helping God's people you will find that you will enrich your own soul. Diligence as you live for the Lord is vital. Verse 11 says, "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end". Many believers lack assurance of their salvation because of sluggishness and laziness in their approach to Christian living. Paul says in the same verse that the reason for this diligence is "in order to make your hope sure". Faith and patience are also needed. Verse 12 says that we're, "to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised". Sometimes God tests our faith and we have to wait for Him to fulfil His promises in our situation.
A well known preacher who lived many years ago called Andrew Murray once said, "Be assured that if God waits longer than you wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious". We must maintain a firm confidence in the promises of God at all times right to the very end of life's journey. The genuine believer will make progress here. Verse 18 says, "It is impossible for God to lie". Therefore, Paul concludes in the same verse, "We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged". This hope is the divine promise of the certainty of heaven for true believers. Verse 19 says, "we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters - behind the curtain". We may be greatly encouraged that we will reach heaven one day. We'll enter behind the curtain and see our Saviour face to face. So you see the genuine believer cannot fall from his salvation. It's anchored in heaven in the Lord Jesus who says in verse 20, "went before us". Our future hope is secure in the rock of ages.
The marks of a genuine Christian is spiritual progress in the things of God. When you are cultivating your Christian life, loving God and helping His people, living for the Lord diligently, and waiting for God with faith and patient endurance you can be assured that you are one of God's children.