KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2017
Chapters: Hebrews 1-5
Message: The Gift of God
Hello My Friend,
As we are in the midst of the Christmas season many people do observe the birth of Christ, just about every church reenacts the story. When you are brought up in a particular religion you are unaware that perhaps what you are being taught is completely wrong, at least on some level. The problem is, when it comes to God one small error in how Jesus is portrayed can be the difference between eternal life and eternal death. We must believe that He came here through the immaculate conception of a virgin by the Spirit of God, that He remained sinless the entire time, and that He became the lamb, the animal sacrifice that would redeem man once and for all. We must accept that His death on the cross alone is the only thing necessary for redemption, we must also accept that He was buried and three days later arose from the dead and is alive today. If we do not believe we do not get eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23.
Angel; A messenger. If you were to watch any movie or show about angels they are portrayed as supernatural beings that have these powers to control the fate of man. The truth is, angels are messengers from God, it is God who provides their power, and just like us, they are subject to obeying Him as well. They cannot do anything, whether it be to protect or bring judgment upon a person, unless God tells them to do it. Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for angels, they looked to them as mediators between God and man. Seeing this, Paul begins his letter to the converted Jews, reminding them of the prophets that God used as mediators before Jesus came, now Jesus is the only mediator, who is above the angels.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” – Hebrews 1:1-5,13-14.
“sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” God’s angels are His ministers to His people, that means, those whom are saved. At one time people could not just communicate with God one on one, of course, they could pray to Him, but He did not speak directly to them, He used prophets, Holy Spirit filled men or women to answer them. Back then the high priest was the mediator between God and man, the middleman, whom God did speak directly to and that enabled them to speak to God on ones behalf. Today, Christ alone is that mediator, and He enables us to communicate with God one on one the second we receive Him as our Saviour. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” – I Timothy 2:5-6.
If you have any trouble understanding the birth of Christ and why it was necessary that He come here in the flesh as He did, then the Book of Hebrews explains it. You see, God loves us so much, we were created in His image, that is how much He loves us, but our flesh causes a separation between us, rather the sin of it does. Since life is really precious to Him and He wanted all to be able to remove that separation He came up with the atonement sacrifices, and that is where the mediator came in. The problem with that is that they needed to do this often. Now, Christ was born just for one reason, to be that sacrifice, only this time it would be permanent reconciliation. Paul continues to explain how it was God Himself who came here in the flesh to be that salvation.
“But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,” – Hebrews 2:6-11.
“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:” Did you see that? All who believe in and receive Christ as their Saviour are sanctified, made holy and set apart for His use, and one with Christ Himself. That means we are His brothers and sisters by grace and are made perfect through His suffering on the cross. When we receive Christ as our Saviour we get more than just an atonement for our sin, we get all our sins removed and forgotten as well, making us perfect in the eyes of God. Many people are brought up under the assumption that people of Old Testament days were brought up under a different law. While they did had the law of Moses, these were not given as a means to be saved. They too had to believe in Christ, whom they know to be the Messiah. Paul, explains that Moses was merely the servant God used to guide the people to His house.
“For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” – Hebrews 3:3-13.
“They shall not enter into my rest.)” Rest; A state of reconciliation to God. Those whom have hardened their hearts to the truth of Christ, and this includes anyone who believes in God, but not that Christ alone is their salvation will not be reconciled with God. God will not save one person who is depending on their own works for their salvation nor will He save those whom mix Christ with their works to save them wither. We must believe that He alone is our salvation, that no other good deeds of our own will saved us.
“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” – Hebrews 4:3-10.
“he also hath ceased from his own works,” The second we believe in Christ we cease, we stop working for our salvation, we are reconciled with God through the blood of His Son, our own good works are not necessary. Jesus Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of man, is not only is our guide, our mediator, and our Saviour, He is also the head of the Church, His Church to be exact. Who are members of His Church? Every, saved, born again believer. Therefore, His Word was final and His sacrifice enough to bring salvation to all who believe come to Him. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” – Hebrews 5:8-9.
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I will never understand how I can be saved simply by believing in and accepting You as my Saviour. But I do understand that I am saved by my faith in Your finished work, and I am trusting only You for my salvation. Thank You for saving me, it is not always easy to follow the path that seems to have so many obstacles, but I know I can endure them through You. Lead me and guide me, when I start to doubt or feel like things are hopeless keep me looking to You, my Saviour, my God, my everything, who endured the most pain of all so I do not have to. I love You and am nothing without You. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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