November 9-November 15

Having Faith
Gary R. James
Jonesboro, Arkansas

What a wonderful book, the book of Hebrews. Although written to the Jews, probably those who had “taken on Christ” in baptism (Col 3:27), it is a magnificent tutor to help us understand the connection between the Old Law, given to the Israelites, and to the New Covenant, given as direction to Christians. In the last chapter we gained information regarding the relationship of the priesthood of Melchizedek, Moses and Christ. This understanding is vital to helping us truly take on the likeness of Christ through obedience to this New Law or Covenant.

Beginning with the 8th chapter, we delve further into the understanding of this “new Covenant”. From Matthew 5:17 we learn the necessary connection between the authority of the old and new Covenants, i.e., Christ “fulfilled” the old covenant and thus it is now used as an educational tool, a “schoolmaster” (Gal 3:24, KJV) or tutor “to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith”.

Chapter 8 also deals with this all important New Covenant and the new high priest, Jesus, the son of God. This new Covenant was superior to the old Covenant, vs 7. This text gives us an insight into this superiority. Now we are no longer under the old, inferior, law. After all, the old one had been fulfilled or completed.

Beginning with chapter 9, we learn about some of the ceremony required under the Old Covenant. Beginning with verse 11, the Law of Christ is contrasted with this old order. It also reminds that the “testator” or will-giver must be dead before the will is in effect. (This explains why the thief on the cross could enter heaven without being baptized as required by the new law, i.e., the new law was not in effect yet since Christ had not yet died.)

This passage strengthens our faith in the importance of the blood of Christ as a sacrifice for sin and the further superiority of this sacrifice of blood to that of the old law. Once and for all, Christ sacrificed Himself (vs 28).

Chapter 10 continues with the importance of Christ’s sacrifice and the contrasts of the old and new law. Under Christ’s law, sin is removed forever. It also calls us to persevere as seen in vs 19-23. Verse 24 gets to the practical side of this by showing how important it is for each of us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”, and in vs 25, a mechanism for this encouragement is the “meeting together” or regular church attendance.

Have you ever considered how important is for us to have faith in something? It would be a very long day if there was nothing in which to have faith. We know from the opening of Chapter 11 that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. We have not seen God or Christ, but still we have faith in both. And from vs 6 we are reminded of the importance of this faith in God, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him”. This has always seemed very practical to me. And the way we act out our lives shows whether we believe in God or not. This chapter is sometimes referred to as the Faith Hall of Fame. It certainly reminds us of many gone before who did show their faith by their actions. We can see this same faith lived out in the lives of those around us.

The last two chapters in the book remind us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. There will be many things, events, people to distract us from the goal of eternity with God, but we can make it if we persevere! When we endure hardship as discipline, God is treating us as His children. Is that not a blessed thought! Children of God and brothers and sisters to Jesus!

But chapter 13 reminds us to be evangelistic. Don’t forget to tell others about your faith journey. And there are several other admonitions to us in the concluding verses of this very powerful book of God’s wisdom.

May God bless and keep you.

[Gary R. James is a retired Aerospace Engineer living in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his wife of 55 years, Shirley Ann. Gary is currently serving as one of the elders of the Southwest Church of Christ in Jonesboro. He is the father of three children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Gary's hobbies include woodworking, photography, auto work and cooking.]