For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Heb. 3
This letter was written to Christians in danger of abandoning their faith. What counsel does the author give them in v. 12-14? How can you apply this? Part of the great lie of Satan has always been that God’s provision is not enough. God gave Adam and Eve everything they could possibly want or need. Satan convinced them, however, that all God gave was not enough because He held back that one tree. Likewise, God has given us all that we need for life in Jesus Christ. He is God’s great provision for our restoration and reconciliation to Him. Yet since the birth of Christ’s Church, Satan has been there trying to convince believers that Jesus is not enough.
One danger we see in many of the apostles’ letters is that we still need the law and our own efforts to supplement what Jesus provides. Not true! In fact, trying to add to what Jesus did merely undermines our faith, taking away from the salvation He offers us. Another danger, which the author of Hebrews seems to address, is that Jesus isn’t who and what He claimed to be. If that lie were true, then Jesus provides us nothing.
The author of Hebrews, then, seems to encourage readers to believe that Jesus is the crucified and risen Son of God; the promised Messiah through whom we are reconciled to God. Scripture confirms the testimony of His own life. He is not merely an angel, but is both fully God and fully human. “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus” (Heb. 3:1a). Nor is he merely a servant and a messenger, as Moses was. He is instead God’s own Son and the very message. He is the builder of the body of believers; the Church. If we are to receive God’s salvation, to enter into His rest, we must hold firmly to this conviction until the very end. And we are to encourage one another in this effort.
Ecc. 5-6
How do 5:1-3 affect the way you pray? Worship? Approach God? Once again I see that we are far better off to fear and pursue God than to waste our lives chasing after our own desires, which amount to nothing. I see the importance of being honest with God and being content with what He gives. There is no substance in chasing after wealth. If God gives it to you, however, there is nothing to be gained by hoarding it. We enjoy what God gives by sharing it with others. Keeping self in the equation only leads to dissatisfaction and heartache.