Verse for Today - Hebrews 9:27-28 "EAGERLY WAITING FOR HIM?"

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."

Biblegateway.com Hebrews 9:27-28

Biblegateway.com Hebrews chapter 9

This is an important verse.  For a long time I have understood it as primarily focusing on the fact that men live and die once... And that after this living-and-dying-once it is too late to change one's spiritual state or future.

As I reflect on this passage today... it does teach what I always thought, but there's two additional points to be made by what follows.

1. Christ's atoning death is a once and done event.  It was and is a wholly sufficient payment for all the sins of His people (those who hope in and receive God's grace).

2. His people are then described as "those who eagerly wait for Him."

I guess this is the part that intrigued me... Do we eagerly wait for Him? What does, or what should, that look like?  As Chapter 9 concludes and Chapter 10begins, it is clear that we should trust in Christ's perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.  

Verses 19-25 are worth a careful reading.  Look for the words: "faith," "hope," and "love."

Then notice his final exhortation.  "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some..."  Wonder why?  Short answer: God says so and we can trust He knows what we need.

Verse for Today - 1 Peter 5:8-9 (Click for mini-blog)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Read at Bible Gateway

Read all of 1 Peter 5

What does the world do with a verse like this?  Probably nothing.  Depending how they see they world, they might think there’s no need to be alert and watchful.  From their perspective they might think that Satan and evil beings don’t exist.

What do Christians do with a verse like this?  It’s something we should think about.  Sometimes Satan pretends to be an Angel of Light (see 2 Corinthians 10) and sounds almost Christian.  He uses deception and seduction to fool people into thinking they’re with him on God’s side when they’re not.  Of this sort are pastors who make you feel good about yourself and entice you with promises of wealth, success and happiness.  They won’t tell you to deny yourself, take up your cross and be ready to suffer for Christ. 

In Verses 8 and 9 we’re warned that sometimes Satan doesn’t pretend at all.  He hates God and he hates devoted Christians (see Rev. 12:17).  Sometimes he can ruthlessly persecute and crush them, seemingly at will.  What should Christians do when confronted with evil in this way?  

ANSWER: “Be watchful and sober minded.”  “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  Stand against evil and the Evil One and you have done your job.  In the last part of the verse he connects our trials to those of others around the world… and perhaps throughout history.  With faithful devotion, God will be pleased to either rescue us or welcome us into his eternal kingdom.  Those with genuine faith trust their heavenly Father to provide for them in this life and in the life to come.

Verse for Today - Hebrews 11:6 (click to read mini-Blog)

^"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."

Read at Bible Gateway

Read all of Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11 is a remarkable chapter.  As 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the Chapter on Love, Hebrews 11 is called the Chapter on Faith.  It tells us what faith is, does, and has looked like in the lives of those who had it.  If you've not read through this chapter in a while, I would recommend it.

From my perspective, a proper grasp of verse 6 is essential.  Right off we're reminded that Christianity is grace based, not works based.  It is as the Apostle Paul says in  Galatians 2:16c,"by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight."    

The second part of the verse shows what the experience of true faith looks like.   True faith believes... that "God is"... and that He rewards "those who diligently seek Him."   God's grace is free, but costs you you.

The old Gospel hymn got it right:  "Trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."  (click for words and midi)

Verse for Today - Luke 9:23-24 (click to read mini-Blog)

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.""

Read at Bible Gateway

Read all of Luke 9

I once read a sermon by Charles Wesley on this verse.  Something he said struck me.  He posed the question why so few sermons are preached on this verse or those like it?   I guess my first thought is because this is is not a very popular concept.  It involves work and self-discipline.

In a culture where you can believe what you like and do whatever you feel like, these verses are pretty contrary.  And yet, they may be exactly what has to be heard.

Deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me are such clear and uncompromising commands.  Maybe we don't really have to keep these exhortations. 

[collective sigh of relief]  

 After all, did you notice how the first part of the verse begins?  It says "Whoever wants to be my disciple...."   So here's the deal, you don't have to deny yourself... you don't have to take up your cross daily... and you don't have to follow Christ... UNLESS... (and here's the tricky part) unless you want to be His disciple. 

Something to think about.  How are you going to follow Christ?