That Christ Is in You and at Work through You

“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:9-12).

Whenever we study Scripture, we must always consider the context. Very often the questions that arise in one verse are answered in the verses that follow—if only we would keep reading!

(Hebrews 6:1-8) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).

STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

“Let Us Hold Fast Our Confession”

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).  

What wondrous encouragement our Lord gives us to remain faithful! To strive to be diligent in all matters of faith. Before God we are laid bare, even molecule to molecule, laid out flat. Nothing can be hidden from our Lord. For many, that brings terror, but for Christ-believers that brings joy. I cannot—even if I desired—hide anything from Jesus. He knows me perfectly and loves me unconditionally. Jesus knows my myriad faults, and yet He forgives me. The fact that our Lord has perfect knowledge of us and still calls us His own is amazing grace!

So I swore in My wrath,`They shall not enter My rest’” (Psa 95:11).

Please read Hebrews 4:1-10

It was a tragic story with which every Hebrew was familiar; how, at the brink of Canaan, the Israelites refused to go in. “Our enemies are too big,” they said, implying their God was too small. They wept, whimpered, and faithlessly wished, “If only we had died in this wilderness” (Numbers 14:2).

Furious at their constant rebellion, God granted their request. Instead of marching into Canaan, they spent forty years dying in the wilderness.

“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both…