Hebrews 6:9

Hebrews 6:9

Better things

This verse reads almost like an apology; the author seems to be as uncomfortable in writing the preceding verses as we are in reading them! However, he consoles himself with the conviction that the readers of his Epistle are not like those who despise the Lord and turn their back on Him. On the contrary, they are men and women who are enjoying the fruits of God’s salvation and who are ready to press forward on their journey of faith. There is even a hint here that any readers who are musing over these words and who remain unsaved, will “be convinced of better things.”  In fact, when we think about it, has this chapter not defined fully what God’s salvation is? And what a heavenly gift basket He offers us! Once again, just like the parable of the sower and the seed, it is the Lord who takes the initiative and makes things happen.

The first of His blessings is enlightenment. Just as frozen land wakes up to the warmth and light of the sun, so the Lord has opened up our spirits to the light and warmth of His Son!

Then we have tasted the heavenly gift of His Holy Spirit, the rain that waters and enlivens barren land and initiates the growing process. 

The Lord feeds His crops and His seed within us so that our faith begins to flourish and grow into a healthy plant.

Finally, we are encouraged to consider our future purpose, the harvest that is to come and the fruitfulness that is the whole reason for our being.

It is God who does all of this, He simply asks that we are compliant with His Will and open to His Spirit. This is the salvation He offers, we can either choose to ignore and rebel against Him which leads to a pointless existence, death, and ultimately to being burned. Or, we can choose life and a purposefulness way beyond our wildest dreams. We can choose better things! It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insis...
Read more
Psalm1:5       Our earthly journey will allow us, at times, to stand with the redeemed in holy awe and worship exhilarated by the presence of our Father.  In the Psalmists’ day these “assemblies of the righteous” would have been joyful times of worship at God’s sanctuary where music played, choirs sang and the people joined in the excitement and corporate wonder of being together in God’s presence. If our own church worship is anything, it should be a prelude to the time when we will join with a numberless throng and sing the praises of the Lamb and the One who sits upon the throne of heaven. Many go to events like Spring Harvest, Keswick Convention, New Day and the rest, primarily for this experience of joy and exhilaration.  Our earthly, joyful experiences are but a foretaste of what is to come and we are promised that we will join with heavenly choirs and our song will be “Worthy is the Lamb.”   Such music and exalta...
Read more

Psalm 119:83

Psalm 119:83 Wineskins in the smoke Well, this verse has caught us by surprise! What does it mean? As we will be aware, in ancient times, wine was not stored in purpose-made glass bottles but in animal skins. In order to keep the skin pliable and soft it must not be allowed to dry out for it would soon shrivel and crack. It follows that the last thing you would do with your treasured wineskins is to hang them up over a smoky fire, not only would they quickly wither but the smoke would clearly ruin the flavour and texture of the wine!  What does the author mean when he says that he is like such a wineskin?  It denotes the uncomfortable condition he was in or at least thought himself to be in; being caught in the midst of smoke is very uncomfortable, and he considered himself to be in darkness with sin and afflictions, like a wineskin in smoke, black and sooty. He felt like an empty wineskin with nothing in him. Maybe he was worn out with cares and old age and had become pale an...
Read more