Setting the Stage

The contrast could not be greater. The Psalmist says of the human race, “all people are liars” (Psalm 116:11). Yet the author of Hebrews tells us that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). Our track record is so–so at best when it comes to keeping our promises. But God cannot lie. When he makes a promise, he will keep it. He must keep it because he is truth itself. In fact, the entire Christian faith and the gospel depend upon this very point. God promises to save sinners who trust in Jesus Christ. This is why the gospel is “good news,” because salvation is of the Lord and grounded in his sacred oath. And this is why the author of Hebrews reminds the struggling church to which he is writing that the gospel they have believed is grounded in God’s unshakable promise. It is not grounded upon human faithfulness, good works, or in our ability to keep our promises. Rather, God made a promise. He will keep that promise and the work of Jesus Christ is the proof.

We pick up where we left off last time with Hebrews 6:1-12, when we considered the author’s stern warning not to turn away from Jesus Christ or else suffer eternal consequences. But that warning is not the end of the author’s overall argument. So, it is helpful to do a brief bit of review before we turn to the specifics of our text (verses 13-20 of chapter six).

The author of Hebrews has spent the first five chapters of this remarkable book making a powerful case for the superiority of Jesus Christ. The author has shown us from the pages of the Old Testament that Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, and the priests of Israel. The reason why the unknown author of this epistle has made this impressive case is because the church to which he is writing is facing a serious crisis. Many of the members of this congregation who were reading/hearing this letter were likely recent converts to Christianity from Judaism. Yet many of these same converts were facing intense persecution from civil authorities, or from the Jewish community they had left behind. Because of this pressure, a number of the members of this church renounced their faith in Jesus, and had returned to the synagogue.

To read the rest, follow the link below

Read More