Ramifications of Grace Reigning

We have, for the last three months, been working our way through the book of Hebrews. This final chapters begins to show the the desired results of walking in grace.

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Ramifications of Grace Reigning

Hebrews 12 closed out with Jesus' blood still speaking and the strength and power it speaks with.  The covenant of grace and truth is more powerful than the law of Moses in this regard, the covenant of grace and truth has better results!

Hebrews 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.

One of the ramifications of walking in grace is it allows for brotherly love to continue!  Remember all through Hebrews we have compared and contrasted Jesus and His house and what it brings to Moses as a servant over the household of law.  Love rules in grace.  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God.  Let love continue… 

Hebrews 13:2  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Hebrews 1 brings such great revelation about Jesus and how by Himself purged us from our sin.  Jesus came with a scepter of righteousness to rule in His kingdom.  However at the end of chapter 1 we see Jesus has given angels assignment over the inheritors of the kingdom.  Have you ever wonder if someone you met was actually an angel on assignment?  The angels of God are encamped around about those who fear God.

Hebrews 13:3  Remember the prisoners as if chained with them; those who are mistreated; since you yourselves are in the body also. 

Grace tells us to remember the prisoners, those who are mistreated.  God’s grace has abounded to us in such degree that we can reach out to the hurting and unlovely.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Grace causes us to walk honorable.  The marriage bed is undefiled; however, the fornicators and adulterers God will judge.  Grace has not been given so that we can use it as a cloak of unrighteousness.  We must learn to possess our vessel in sanctification.

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  6  So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

It seems the writer of Hebrews was trying to make a case for what living in the covenant of grace should look like.  In grace we can rest in God.  We can be content with what we have and with where we are at.  In grace we have been promised God will never leave us or forsake us.  Make a bold proclamation!  “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”  Children put the word of God in your mouth.  You can trust your God to bring it to pass.

Hebrews 13:7  Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Grace brings us balanced leadership who love and care for the sheep.  The sheep can gladly submit to godly leadership and follow them, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This is an often quoted verse!  It is a truth about Jesus Christ.  Look at Him in His earthly ministry… did He heal the sick?  He still is a healing Jesus today!  Did He seek and save the lost?  He is still seeking and saving the lost today.  Did He go about setting captives free from their bondages?  He still setting free today.  Did His  blood speak on the cross of Calvary bringing a converted thief into paradise?  He is still bringing sinners to Himself today.  Did He pray for forgiveness for the ones who put Him on the cross?  He is still the intercessor today.  Oh the ramifications of grace!

Hebrews 13:9  Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

It is good that the heart be established by the word of grace.  Not by some practice of tradition or practices of the law, but by the grace found in Jesus Christ alone we can be saved.  Any doctrine that takes you away from trusting in Jesus Christ and Him crucified is a strange doctrine.  We must come and live by the covenant of grace by which we have  been birthed.

Hebrews 13:10  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

We are still comparing and contrasting between the law of Moses and the covenant of grace and truth.  We must eat from the correct alter the alter of grace and truth.  The alter that Jesus Christ Himself made us partakers.

Hebrews 13:11  For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.  12  Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

This was done outside the gate so that we might be partakers of the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 13:13  Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  14  For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  15  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Don’t try to get to Jesus by going inside the camp of the law.  Our hope is in the new covenant.  Not in the earthly covenant but the heavenly covenant where we are looking for the city whose builder and maker is God.  We don’t want to go to the alter of the covenant of the law but to the alter of grace and truth that speaks greater things based upon heavenly eternal promises.

Partakers of the greater alter, the eternal alter, give us the opportunity, by Jesus Christ, to continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God.  The eternal alter is fruit bearing putting a praise on our lips, giving thanks to His name!

Hebrews 13:16  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Walking in the greater covenant brings us to overflow doing good and sharing with all.  God is well pleased when we are walking from the strength of the alter of grace.

Hebrews 13:17  Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Obeying godly leadership is possible when you are walking in the fullness of grace.  It is commanded for us to submit and obey those who are looking out for our soul.  Who is the godly leadership you are submitted to?  Divine order is at work here; if you are not submitted to godly leadership it is time to come into divine order.  Those lone guns without submission are not walking in grace.

Hebrews 13:20  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  21  make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

One of the greatest ramifications to walking in grace is the Father Himself begins a work in us and desires to carry it to completion.  This work is done through the blood of the everlasting covenant!  He will continue to work in you until you bring Him great pleasure!  What a great God!

Hebrews 13:25  Grace be with you all. Amen.

Serving God Acceptable

Serving God acceptable should be every believer's heart's desire. Divine order must be followed.

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Serving God Acceptable

Hebrews 12:12  Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,  13  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.  14  Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  15  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;  16  lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.  17  For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Correction from the heavenly Father brings healing and strength.  It will give your hands strength to do all God has called you to do.  It with strengthen your feet to walk in the paths of holiness.  God’s call is for us to pursue peace and holiness; without the pursuit of holiness and peace we are unable to see the Lord.  Our hardness of heart blinds us to see God working in our lives.  The warning goes out very clearly, the danger of bitterness of heart can bring turmoil for the individual; however, that bitterness of heart affect all those around that individual.  Bitterness comes from rejection of the correction of God.  Esau became so bitter of heart he was willing to sell birthright for a bowl of soup.  Your birthright is your confession of faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; the danger of walking in sin is you begin to value your confession less.  It is a slippery slope.  Sin will take you further than you intended to go, and will keep you longer than you intended to stay, and it will cost you more than you ever imagined you would pay.  Allowing God’s correction saves from this grave danger.

Hebrews 12:18  For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,  19  and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.  20  (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow."  21  And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")

As Hebrews has done so often, it once again begins to compare the covenant of the law of Moses with the covenant of grace and truth.  You have not been brought to Mount Sinai !   The scriptures is referencing when the law of Moses was given.  The mountain was a very fearful sight and at this time the children of Israel begged not to hear the voice of God.  From that time forward the children of Israel came under the law that was given on that mount.  Moses the leader of the Israelites said “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.  This is not the mountain God has brought the new covenant church to!  Those who try to bring the church back up under the law of Moses make a grave mistake.  Coming to serve under the law of Moses after coming to freedom in Jesus Christ have put many believers into bondage.

Galatians 4:21  Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?  22  For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.  23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,  24  which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar;  25  for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children;  26  but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

The covenant that came from Mount Sinai gives birth to bondage.  The covenant of grace brings freedom.  God’s correction does not come from surrendering to the law of Moses.  We must allow the word of grace to establish us correct us and make us partakers of the goodness of God.  Within the body of Christ there are many who have tried to serve God under the auspices of the law.  It has the same results every time!  Sin gains strength from the law!

Galatians 4:27  For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband."  28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.  29  But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.  30  Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman."  31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Those who have found the freedom of grace will always be persecuted by the children of the bondwoman.  Verse 30 is clear, we must kick out the bondwoman and her son!  There is no room for mixing the serving of the law and grace. 

John 1:17  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

We must distinguish between the covenants and learn to live under the covenant which we have been birthed.

Hebrews 8:6  But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Jesus brought a better covenant.  Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry; He is the Mediator of a better covenant which is established on better promises.

Hebrews 12:22  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem , to an innumerable company of angels, 

You have been brought to the covenant of grace.  It is Mount Zion you are living from.  You have been seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  We are part of the city of the living God.  It is the heavenly Jerusalem !  In this place of grace we have been surrounded by an innumerable company of angels working on our behalf.

Hebrews 12:23  to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,  

Your name is registered in heaven you are part of the church of the firstborn!  You have been brought into the covenant where the Father has perfected the spirits of men who accepted Jesus as the Messiah.

Hebrews 12:24  to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. 

This covenant speaks through and by the blood of Jesus.  It speaks better than the blood of Abel.  Abel’s blood spoke of justice needed and spoke of judgment needed.  Jesus' blood speaks of forgiveness.  Jesus' blood speaks that sin has been dealt with once and for all.  Jesus' blood speaks of men can be made righteous.  He bore our sin so we could have His righteousness.  The blood of Jesus is still speaking.  Some of the old saints use to say we need to plead the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 12:25  See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 

The voice of grace should not be refused.  Again the contrast is between serving the law of Moses or serving from the heavenly Jerusalem .  Don’t refuse the great grace of God found exclusively in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:26  whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven."  27  Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.  28  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  29  For our God is a consuming fire.

God’s zeal for this covenant of grace will become more clear as Jesus' voice and blood speak.  That which clings to the law of Moses will not stand in the shaking of grace.  We have received the kingdom of grace and it can not be shaken.  Serving under grace is the safest place to be.  Let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  We must serve God through and by the covenant of grace for God will not accept any other kind of service.

Looking Unto JESUS

Looking Unto JESUS

Hebrews 12:2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

With the weight and sin snare broken we find our victory in Jesus.  “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. What sweet words of encouragement!  Turning our eyes upon Jesus and considering the cross is the sure path to participating in victory.  When one turns their attention fully to the work of the cross it brings refreshing and a turning from weariness.  The greatness of the sacrifice is greater than the measure of your discouraged soul.

1 Peter 2:21  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  22  "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";  23  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;  24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.  25  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus' great example was a total trust in God the Father.  Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 

As the revelation of the greatness of the sacrifice grows so does the victory in every day life.  The stripes of Jesus is the power for our healing.  His perfect body hanging on the tree became the power of our reconciliation with God.

John 5:24  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

At faith in Jesus Christ there is a supernatural exchange we died to sin and gain His righteousness.  We pass from death unto life and shall not be condemn!   The greatest example of this is the thief on the cross moving from not believing to believing.  That day he went to be with Jesus in paradise.

Ephesians 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

Remember we are considering Jesus!  By His blood we have been brought near.  He Himself is our peace.  The scriptures are replete with what Jesus Himself did at the cross.  It was in the flesh of Jesus Christ that enmity was ended!  The hostility is over because of the greatness of the single sacrifice of Jesus Christ! 

Colossians 2:13  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,  14  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  15  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

That which was contrary to us Jesus took out of the way.  The handwriting that was against us is now nailed to the cross.  The depth of the forgiveness is to the degree that all trespasses have been wiped out.  The work of the devil was destroyed by the work of the cross.  Consider Jesus…

1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.  18  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

It is only in the power of the cross we find victory.  We can preach the wrong thing and make the power of the cross of Jesus Christ of no effect; in fact many churches do.  The cross of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:23  but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

When we quit preaching Jesus Christ crucified we have left the very wisdom of God.  Victory is found when the object of our faith is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

1 Corinthians 2:2  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

What a proclamation the apostle Paul made; the imperative truth is Jesus Christ and Him crucified!  We need to never leave the message of the cross it is what brings us to salvation and it is the keeping power of our salvation.

Galatians 6:14  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

The only boast a believer can have is the boast of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 12:4  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.  5  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

The weights and sin that ensnares are broken by looking to the cross of Jesus.  Have you ever considered that you have not resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin?  The sacrifice of Jesus is so great that it should leave your heart open to the correction and rebuke of God.  He has made you a son; a wise son is open to the chastening and rebuke of the Lord.

Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  8:3  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

God’s correction begins by revelation of His goodness.  It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance.  The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.  We the believer are not bound to walk in sin because of the greatness of the sacrifice and the liberty that it brings from the law of sin and death.

Hebrews 12:6  For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."  7  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  8  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.  9  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

If you can walk in sin and not know the correction of God it is because you are not a son of God.  Paul admonished people to examine themselves and see if they are truly in the faith.  Submitting the correction of God is the way to victory!  He is the Father of all who have surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.  We get connected to God Spirit to spirit and submitting to our Father’s corrections yield a great harvest in our lives.

Hebrews 12:10  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  11  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

When God corrects us it brings us to partake of His holiness.  It yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  God does a perfected work in our spirit but our soul and body have to be renewed and changed.  There is a training that every believer should long to partake in.  The rebuke and correction of God is for our healing and increase.  God has your best interest at heart.  Keep looking to Jesus.

Weight and Sin Snare Broken

Hebrews 12:1-2 Weight and sin snare broken. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. Victory in every area of life is possible in Jesus Christ.

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Weight and Sin Snare Broken

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

The “therefore” connects chapter 12 with chapter 11 and the witnesses testified dying in faith of the promises of God.  There are many generations of faith filled believers they have already fought the fight faith; you too can make it!  My heart was stirred with “let us lay aside…”  God was preparing my heart to write these notes, I woke up this morning with my mind upon every believer should know the schemes, lies, and devices of the devil.  How can we lay aside if we are unaware of what has ensnared us and delayed our victory.  By knowing the schemes of the devil we can lay aside every weight and sin that can take us off course from the race we have been called to run.  Endurance for the race can be poured into our heart as we recognize the besetting sins.

Colossians 3:12  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  13  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Two of the biggest besetting sins are twins, complaint and un-forgiveness.  When we hold complaint against one another we retain one another’s sin.  That why the Apostle Paul admonished us  to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering.  We don’t have to muster the strength to put away the complaint and give forgiveness.  Put off the old man and be made new in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man; the new man has all it needs to put off complaint and walk in forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 2:10  Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,  11  lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Forgiveness is one of the greatest tools in this covenant of grace.  God’s forgiveness is so great toward us; it is our empowerment to forgive others.  One of satan’s greatest devices is to get us to continue to walk in un-forgiveness.  Not forgiving gives the devil room to take advantage of us!

Philippians 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;  13  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14  Do all things without complaining and disputing,  15  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  16  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Many have never consider completely what it means to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.  Unfortunately it has been retranslated to work for your salvation with fear and trembling.  Working for and working out are two different things; working out will bring maturity and strength to the believer.  Working for becomes the besetting sin that we need to lay aside.  Working out your salvation is a submitting to the work of God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure.  There are stumbling blocks to God doing His good pleasure in the believer!

Verse 14 shows us a weight that besets us and gets us off course.  “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” Complaining and disputing is one of satan’s greatest weapons of choice.  When our mouth has complaint and disputing it inhibits us from walking blameless and harmless as children of God.  Complaining and disputing is a snare of satan.  The body of Christ can walk free from that snare; it will enable Christ to shine on and through us.  God calls us to lay aside such a weight!  Holding fast the word of life instead of having complaint and dispute in our mouth, can move us from defeat to victory!  Victory is God’s intended purpose for every believer.

2 Timothy 2:24  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,  25  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

There are tell tale signs that we have been ensnared by a lie of the enemy of our soul.  The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Those ensnared often lack in one or more of these areas.  Not walking in righteousness, peace or joy in the Holy Spirit can be a sign that of entrapment snared by the enemy. 

If one knew they were deceived in any given area of their life it would no longer be deception.  However, the word of God can bring light to the deception. Receiving of the truth brings one back to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil is put into action.  When we are snared by weights and besetting sins we are captive to do the will of the devil in that area.  Christians hooked on pornography, addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or any other sinful lifestyle are ensnared; the truth found in Jesus Christ can set them free completely from any and all sin.  Jesus said it!  He who the Son sets free is free indeed!

Ephesians 4:26  "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,  27  nor give place to the devil.

We have talked about complaint and un-forgiveness being twin besetting sins, deceptions of all types, and now anger.  Walking in an angry lifestyle, as all besetting weights and sins, give place to the devil to work havoc in our lives.  The list could go on and on; however, the solution is more important than to complete a list of besetting sins and weights.

1 Peter 5:6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  7  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  9  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  10  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  11  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God and looking for His solution and not our own is a good place to start.  Separating ourselves from evil company is another good start.  Bringing the care and laying it upon Jesus is another step closer to the deliverance.  WE CAN resist satan!  The way is exclusive and there is no other way to resist!  Resist him steadfast in the faith.  When the object of your faith is exclusively in Jesus and no other your victory is at hand.  God’s grace will come perfect, establish, strengthen , and settle you!  God will be glorified in your life.

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!  Our deliverance can not be in any other.  If our expectation is in any other the ensnarement will continue.

Romans 6:7  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  8  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  9  knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.  10  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  11  Likewise  you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Look to Jesus.  He has been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Jesus!  Jesus' death that He died, He died to sin once and for all; but the life that He lives He lives unto God.

LIKEWISE!  In the same way Jesus died to sin once and for all and sin has no death has no dominion over Him.  You too need to come back to the truth of the cross and what it has done in your life.  This is a life of faith.  Now reckon yourself dead to sin and alive unto God.  Indeed that is where the victory over every weight and besetting sin is at.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus and know the advocacy He provides.  Jesus has ended the hostility between God and man by nailing it to the cross.  Jesus sat down… the spring board for our next Bible study!

Faith Of Our Fathers

We have been methodically working our way through the book of Hebrews. Today we are considering the testimony of faith of many in the Old Testament. May the object of your faith ever be directed at Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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Faith Of Our Fathers

Hebrews 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  18  of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called,"  19  concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Faith motivates right actions. Abraham exalted the word of God to such a degree it brought him to obey God even at the time of his testing.  Abraham concluded that God was going to fulfill His word no matter what the circumstances brought.  When the object of your faith is in God and His word you will see the purpose of God fulfilled.

Matthew 4:4  But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

Abraham clung to the word of God and exalted it as a certainty.

Hebrews 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21  By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Isaac and Jacob’s faith in God caused the patriarchs to make proclamations of blessings to their children.  God calls us to make faith declarations of our children.  It is our faith in God that empowers us to confess the blessings.

Isaiah 59:21  "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."

Too many traditions have caused us to speak blessing and cursing based on performance.  However when the object of your faith is in God it changes the object of your expectation and expressions from the person to the God that you serve. 

Hebrews 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel , and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Joseph was speaking by faith when he spoke of his bones being moved!  The object of his faith was God and His spoken word.  Joseph knew the promise of the promise land!

Hebrews 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.

Moses parents were moved by faith hiding Moses at his birth.

Hebrews 11:24  By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,  25  choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,  26  esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

Moses' parents faith was a precursor to Moses' actions of faith.  Moses had the heart and purpose of God in mind when he made his decision not to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  God wants our decision making to be based upon our faith in God with His eternal purpose and destiny in mind.

Lamentations 1:9  Her uncleanness is in her skirts; She did not consider her destiny; Therefore her collapse was awesome; She had no comforter. "O LORD, behold my affliction, For the enemy is exalted!"

Many years after Moses, the nation Israel was ruined because she did not consider her God given destiny in her decision making.  Moses looked to the reward and promise of God when he made his choice.  We must live by faith in God’s word for our lives if we will fulfill the destiny He has for us.

Hebrews 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt , not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.  28  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.  29  By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

Moses over and over kept making his decisions based on the object of his faith being in God and the words God spoke.  This faith in God brought him through lonely years of isolation.  This same faith brought Moses into leading Israel out of slavery and seeing their enemy destroyed, and God raised up Moses to be the leader of the nation God loved.

Hebrews 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

Joshua put faith in God and His word and watch Jericho be given into his hands.

Hebrews 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab had such faith in  the spoken word of God she received the Israelite spies and helped them.  Her faith in God’s spoken word was so great it saved her and all her loved ones.  Her faith in fact brought her to be part of the linage of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:32  And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:  33  who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  34  quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  35  Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  36  Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.  37  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  38  of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11 has often been called the “Faith Hall of Fame”, and with good reason.  It points the believer to ever have the object of His faith in God alone!

Hebrews 11:39  And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,  :40  God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

The hall of fame started with Abel and ended  with those unknown and unnamed who died believing in their God. All of the hall of fame of faith should not be made perfect apart from us.  God having provided something better for us!  The hall of fame testimony was pointing to better provision found exclusively in Jesus Christ.

Luke 7:24  When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  25  "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  26  "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  27  "This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'  28  "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

John the Baptist was declared by Jesus to be the greatest prophet and there was not a greater prophet.  But Jesus had a greater truth to reveal!  But he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist.

Galatians 4:4  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  5  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"  7  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

We who participate in this covenant of grace and truth are privileged we have a greater covenant with a greater mediator, with better promises!  This is why we can be called greater than John the Baptist, the provision has made us children of the Most High God.

Faith In God

Faith in God brings hope alive and expectations high! God is a promise keeper!

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Faith In God

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  2  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Whenever man has put faith in God that man found a relationship with God.  “Now” in verse one connects faith with the subject matter of chapter 10.  Remember the subject matter at the end of 10 was continuing in the faith of Jesus Christ.  Hold oh to the confession of your faith for it has great reward.

From the start of Hebrews it directs our attention to Jesus Christ.  In this new covenant the object of our faith must ever be in the work Jesus completed on the cross.  Here in Hebrews 11 faith is defined.  Hope has been underrated; with no hope you have no bible defined faith.  Hope is not the wishful thinking of the world.  Bible hope is a confident expectation in the word of God.  Faith is believing and knowing what God has spoken will come to pass.  Those who hope in God will not be made ashamed. Faith is the proof and validation of hopes expectation.  It is by faith the elders obtained a good testimony.   

Hebrews 11:3  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

The Holy Spirit went to great lengths to be sure we understood where the object of our faith should remain.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.    

Colossians 1:13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,  14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.  15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  16  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  17  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  18  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  19  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,  20  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 

God the Father has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love.  Faith in the atoning work of Jesus blood brings the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus created all things, He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. The Father made it exclusive, Jesus must be the object of our faith and reconciliation can only come by surrendering to the preeminence of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain by faith.  Abel had faith in the word God spoke.  God in His grace even spoke to Cain and said your sacrifice can too be excepted; Cain refused to hear and believe what God spoke. 

Genesis 4:7  "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

Cain refused to receive the word of God and sin ruled over him!  Abel’s more excellent sacrifice still speaks because it was offered  in faith.  Acts done with faith in God’s word have eternal consequences.

Hebrews 11:5  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Enoch had faith in God.  He is the first known prophet as Jude spoke of His prophesy.  By faith Enoch was taken by God; it is recorded that Enoch walked with God.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

It is only with faith that we can please God.  See the instruction of biblical faith.  We must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Do you see that through the scripture true bible faith has the object of faith in God.  I keep repeating the truth because so many other tradition and errors have tried to redefined faith.  This covenant of grace is founded in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

The just shall live by faith in Jesus Christ and the completed work of the cross!  Where is the object of your faith?  Remember Hebrews has been pointing to an exclusive faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus purged us from our sin. Jesus has the superior priesthood the better covenant, based upon better promises. Jesus as High Priest saves to the uttermost.

Hebrews 11:7  By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

This is one of the most famous Bible stories, Noah and the ark.  Yet it was all predicated on Noah hearing the voice of God, believing what He heard and acting upon it.  Noah’s faith brought him into action!  Noah lived in a society that He and His family were the only ones who were in pursuit of God.  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  The scriptures tell us he was a preacher of righteousness.  Think of it, a ministry that only brought in his own family.  Noah’s faith in God made Him an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith!

Hebrews 11:8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  9  By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;  10  for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

By faith Abraham obeyed!  Again we can see the object of Abraham’s faith was the word of God.  Faith must ever be placed in God and God alone!  The heirs of promise are looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  Genuine faith brings pursuit of God.  False faith brings false pursuits!  If the faith message you hear is lead you in pursuit of this worlds goods it is a false message.  We need to look for the city whose builder and maker is God our pursuits must be eternal pursuit for the kingdom of God .

Hebrews 11:11  By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

By faith Sarah counted her God as faithful!  When you begin to count God as faithful to His word you will receive strength to conceive seed, and bare a child of promises.

Hebrews 11:12  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude; innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Faith believe God’s promise when in the natural it is dead.

Hebrews 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  14  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  15  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.  16  But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Embrace the promises and confess by faith what you believe.  God will not be ashamed to be called your God.