Creating a conversation with Bon Bon

I wanted to take a quick detour and answer a question/comment/response that Bon Bon posted. I don't know how many people actually read this (it might just be her, my wife, Eileen, and Jason), but I am going to write it as if more read it so no one is confused. Bon Bon wrote about the last blog Hebrews 2:1:

ok. i agree with you to a point. if you stop doing nice things for melissa, you are still married. but the intimacy of your marriage is not there. it's about relationship.

once you are a new creation, there is no going back to an old one, however, i think that if we fail to continually seek God, we lose the beauty and depth of an intimate relationship with Him.

but He is so good and so full of grace. we can come back to Him. if it were that once someone fell away they could not come back to Him, then His grace would be insufficient. and to say we would have to come to salvation again does not align with what Jesus accomplished on the cross. He died for our sins. all at once. for us to recieve it. once.

Bon Bon, I think you are spot on here. I guess my illustration was not the best one. First let me clarify a quick point then explain who I was thinking of when I wrote this so that it might clarify what I was saying a bit further.

First, like I said I think you are spot on (and Paul will write in a little bit how one cannot re-crucify Jesus). God's grace is bigger than our sins past present and future. I do not want anyone to think that if they have sinned against God, then they are not welcome to repent and turn to his grace and live for him, through him, and by him again. WE ALL NEED CONTINUAL REPENTANCE.

Now what I was thinking about when I wrote this. Some teachers (more reformed in theology than I am) believe that CHRISTIANS CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION. However if you hold that belief and THEN approach this text and interpret it with this idea already in mind (and several other sections in Hebrews) you have to do some hermeneutical back flips to understand it. They will teach things like that Paul was not writing to Christians here, but only people who were about to become Christians (even though Paul calls them holy brothers, and those how share in the heavenly calling in 3:1). Anyways I was thinking of the more reformed teachings when I wrote this (I think I wrote like this because I use to believe in hard line reformed beliefs).

However, let's look at the setting to see what is going on. The situation that these Christians are facing (and we will get to see this idea throughout the text) is that these Jewish Christians in Jerusalem are being attacked for their conversion to Christianity (we believe that this belief is the fulfillment of Judaism). Paul is writing to them to because their family (other Jewish people in Jerusalem) are tempting them to return to their old beliefs (Judaism) or face further persecuation. When Paul here warns against losing their salvation, he is writing to a people who are being tempted to return to a faith that is similar to Christianity (monotheistic Judaism). They are not being tempted to pull off a robbery or launder money (sins on the outside), but being tempted to change their very faith. However if they return to that faith, they are rejecting God's grace. If they return to the old Jewish system of faith they are rejecting the very person they chose to follow and the very person they found God's grace in (and we will get to see this throughout the book).

Knowing the setting of the book of Hebrews helps immensely in interpreting it (as it is with anything ever written).

So to sum it all, if we turn away from the very faith that says we can find grace, then we will no longer have the grace (and this intial grace we receive all at once when we come to have faith in Christ) the grace we once knew. One of the big messages of Hebrews is to stay faithful to the person of Christ, because it is only in him we find grace (and then Jesus is contrasted against the old Jewish system). Most every Christian will agree with this concept in general, but different theological beliefs will get there in different ways (More reformed theology will say they were never Christians, less reformed will say if you walk away, you walk away from grace). I believe Paul here teaches that if one turns away, they turn away.
If you are a Christian and commit a sin (and who doesn't), be like the Apostles (I mean the Apostles sinned here in a great way and they found grace) who deserted Jesus and collectively said "I do not know the man," weep over your sin and find the great grace that God offers. That is one of the foundational teachings of our faith (Matthew 18:15-35, how much he forgives us).

Let me know what you think Bon Bon (and anyone else out there).

Hebrews 2:1

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard lest we drift away from it.

In the book of Hebrews there are several warning passages. This is the first one.

At this point, the fact is established that Jesus is greater than any earthly or heavenly power. For that reason, WE must pay close attention to his message. We must study his life and his teachings and live by them.

One of the great sections of the Bible is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We have a lot of people out there who tell us how we need to live, what we need to do to be good people and so on. The government tells us what is illegal and legal. University Professors tell us what ethics are. Our culture teaches us what is right and wrong (if you don't believe me just pay attention to how our culture responds to issues like pornography, environmental needs, the use of our money, and just about any ethical issue you can think of). Essentially everyone wants to tell you how to run your life. However as a Christian, if this great section in Matthew 5-7 is not the backbone of your ethics, then you need to reconsider what you are doing.

And this warning does not just have to do with the ethics of our lives.

The principles, teachings, and warnings of the Bible need to be taken seriously. They need to be the backbone of who we are.


The warning here is "lest we drift away from it."

Many people teach that one cannot drift away from God. In fact if you are a Christian, then you are a Christian forever. If you "fall away" then you were never really a Christian to begin with. I do not believe this. As Christians we need to continually seek out our salvation. Yes there is the time when our sins were washed away. But after that, now is the time that we seek out becoming more like Christ (seek to become holy as he is holy). If I stopped doing nice things for my wife, did nothing for her, and relied on the fact that at one point in time we said I do, we would drift away from each other and our marriage would fail. It is like that with God. If you do not seek him and attempt to live and think as he calls us to, that relationship will end.

Let this verse stand as a warning encouragement. Seek God out everyday. Do not just rely on the fact that you sought forgiveness for sins at one point in the past. Seek him out and you will find him and he will guide you everyday.

Hebrews 1:14

Are not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who are inheriting salvation?

The summary of the chapter so far is that Jesus is greater than any other spiritual being (angels). We do not think of angels too often in our culture, but in many cultures, a certain fear and respect is given to them because they are intimidating to humans (read Luke 2). However, Jesus is greater than them.

Jesus is the one who rules as a king. Paul here contrasts the job of angels with the job of Jesus (king) in a way we do not often consider. Part of the angels job description is to help and serve those inheriting salvation.

Ok let's ask some questions of the text so we can figure out what it is saying.

• First, who are those who are inheriting salvation?

Christians. We are forgiven of our sins so in that sense we have salvation. However, the NT and Hebrews specifically points out how Christians have yet to "inherit" salvation. Someone inherits something typically when someone else's life ends (or in anticipation of it). As one life so, so another inherits what someone decides to give them. We are still living in an imperfect and we ourselves are still imperfect people. But the process of salvation has begun in those who believe. One day we will live in a perfected state of existence, also knows as heaven, (the way God intended it to be) and that is when we will receive our full inheritance.

• What is the service the angels render?

I don't know, no one has told me. As Christians we must accept that there are things that we do not see and do not know (especially in the spiritual world). But I am sure angels do all sorts of things to help us out. If you cannot think of one strange thing that happened in your life that you could only attribute to God, go ask some people in some churches and see if they have any experiences. I can remember a friend told me how he should have been hurt pretty bad in a car crash, but his car was closely missed by a big truck. Now did God send an angel to protect him, or did he just get lucky. I don't know, neither does he. But we shouldn't pretend like we know everything and discount all the possibilities so quickly.

• Who controls the angels?

• Should I pray to/worship angels since they protect me?

I thought these two questions went together because depending on who controls the angels, that is who you should talk to and honor if they protect or help you. Well as stated earlier in the chapter, angels are servants of God/Jesus. We cannot control them and they do not even seem to control themselves (if you read the OT and NT angels are mostly following God's orders unless they are in rebellion). So if God controls them, as a king controls his servants, then believing we control them is misguided and thinking that we should pray to them is stupid. We still worship and pray to God alone.

Anyways, I think this is a really cool and interesting verse because this is not typically what we think or are taught in our Western American churches. But the Bible teaches that God uses his angels and still does to help us as we go throughout life. It is amazing how much he cares for us and provides for us in ways we can never know in this life.

Hebrews 1:13

but to which of the angels has he at one time said, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.

Psalm 110 (quoted here) is one of the most quoted/referred to Messianic prophecies in the OT and it plays a central role in the book of Hebrews. So first before much else, let's go look at Psalm 110 (in its entirety). (By the way, when something is quoted in the NT it is a really good idea to look at the full passage and its context in the OT, so we need to do that here).

Psalm 110 has some very interesting and weird things to say (we will look at it a lot later in Hebrews). Some big ideas found in Psalm 110: God keeps his anointed close to his side until he crushes all his enemies. The Lord comes from Jerusalem (Zion) and crushes the rulers of the earth. There are two sides and some line up against God. Needless to say they do not win. This Psalm also mentions that the anointed one (Messiah, Christ) will be a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek (which is similar to the idea that the Messiah will rule forever in the line of David). But again there is a lot here and I am just trying to point out some general ideas presented.

Back in Hebrews, the Son is again contrasted against angels. The Son sits at God's right hand until God defeats all their enemies. There is no OT passage that mentions angels sitting at God right hand (the privileged position). Rather angels in God's presence are a lot like us: bowing down, covering their face, understanding how holy he is compared to us his creation (check out Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, and Exodus 33-34 and compare the posture of the angels and Moses, both covering their face). But the Son is invited to sit next to him.

This is the final OT quote that Paul uses to show how much more privileged (v. 5-7) and powerful (v. 8-12) the Son is compared to the angels (or anything else for that matter). Let us always remember that. Jesus is above any spiritual power out there. If you feel tempted, turn to him. If you are praying to someone else, or through someone else, turn to him. If you are worshiping at any others' feet than Jesus', turn to him. If you are worried about the end times and nuclear proliferation, turn to him (v. 10-12). He is above all, know that there a great foundation in that (and that foundation will never change).

(Note the final verse of the chapter continues some of these ideas, but also leads into the next section, so I am putting it off until next blog.)

Hebrews 1:12

And like a cloak, you will roll them up, as a garment also they will be changed; but you are the same and your years will never come to an end.


This is the final verse taken from Psalm 102:25-27.

This verse compares the nature of God (in the original the God of Israel and here Jesus in his deity) versus the nature of the creation.

In the end, Jesus, the one who created, will take this creation and change it like you would change an old garment. Obviously, we do not wear the same clothes everyday. If you do, I will give you some advice that will change your life. People change their clothes when they get dirty and worn. People have to buy new clothes when they get faded and torn. Take that image and see how Jesus is the one who changes the entire creation at the proper time. By its very nature creation is not timeless (it had a beginning).

On the other hand, God (the Father, Son, and Spirit) are timeless. They have no beginning. Jesus is greater than any physical or spiritual thing because he will never change. He will not fade. He will not get torn. We have no need to go out and buy a new Jesus (as if that is even possible) like we would buy a new outfit. We (creation) will in fact change. He will not.

This verse also points out to an interesting teaching that we in the modern western church have forgot. At the end of all these, this creation that we are a part of will not be completely annihilated and replaced with clouds in the sky. I believe that the Bible teaches that at the end of it all, the hereafter will appear more like a renovated earth than clouds in the sky. Jesus here is pictured as recreating when the end comes. And only the timeless One can do this. He will recreate this earth that we know and all those who are in him will be a part of this recreation.

It is good to be reminded of our place. Jesus is above all and is timeless. We as a part of creation are not. We must worship and revere him as the timeless One who is over all for that is who he is.

Hebrews 1:10-11

And, in the beginning, you, Lord, founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will continue through, and they all will become old (worn) as a garment.

Now here is an altogether incredible statement about Jesus.

These verses are taken from Psalm 102. It is a great Psalm if you have the chance to read it. A man who is at one of his low states in life calls out to God and finds hope in the eternal essence and ever-extending mercy of our Lord.

One of the craziest parts of these verses, is that they are originally words addressed to God the Father. Paul here though (being inspired by the Holy Spirit) takes the liberty and applies them to Jesus. It always floors me to think that someone who altogether appeared as a man and was in fact a man, can receive this kind of worship.

It read that Jesus was there at the beginning (Genesis 1, John 1). In fact, he was the one laying the foundations of the earth and placing the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. He is before all. Before him nothing was created or existed.

And creation itself wears like an old garment. It is not eternal and it will not last forever. Personally I try to wear clothes far longer than anyone really should, you can ask my wife. In fact, I regularly wear clothes that were made before I was born. And I use to wear shirts that I wore when I was in Jr. High (but my wife got rid of them, which is probably for the best). When you see your cloths fading, remember that all of creation is like that. Animals, plants, even the earth and the heavens are here today but in their due time fade away (at this point I am singing "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas to accompany my point). But the creator, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will always be. That is their nature. In fact, one of God's names in the OT is simply I AM. He is the one who exists, before, now, and always.

These verses themselves are part of the larger picture (Jesus is greater than any other spiritual force) which we will continue to look at. But this is a great individual concept to meditate on: Jesus, the one who reigns, the one who purified us from sin, is forever. Our surroundings and circumstances will change and fade. But he is always there.

Hebrews 1:9

You loved righteousness (justice) and hated lawlessness. Therefore God your God has anointed you with the oil of exultation (the highest joy) above your companions.

The quote continues from Psalm 45:6-7.

I just read something in 2 Chronicles 1 that just helped me with a thought. The reason Jesus is compared to Solomon is because "wisdom and knowledge will be given to you (Solomon). And I will also gie you wealth, riches, honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

I also wondered why when the NT speaks of Jesus in his glory and honor, many it will look back at Solomon and compare the two. It is because Solomon ruled as the most prestigious king in Israel's history. Chronicles was written after Judah had returned from the exile and Israel had long since been dispersed. The author was able to see every king that had reigned over both nations and he says Solomon was the grandest, because God had said so.

Anyways back to the quotation. This verse stands in stark contrast to the thought that Jesus is just a man or just a prophet, or just a nice guy.

The first phrase states that Jesus loved justice and hated lawlessness. He is a man who displays the perfect character of God. He is perfect and he stands head over heels over any other man. Because of that (second phrase), God has anointed his head with oil and raised him above his companions. Now first, back in their day (the Ancient Near Eastern culture), when one was anointed with oil, that means they were given special privilege and usually a position of authority. Some examples: Exodus 29 (Moses anoints the priests as a consecration ceremony); Leviticus 8 (Moses anoints Aaron and his sons as an ordination for leading the priests); 1 Samuel 10 (Samuel anoints Saul as King); 1 Samuel 16 (Samuel anoints David as King). There are many more examples, I just named a few.

But God anoints Jesus, who appeared as a man with the oil of great joy (and here is the interesting part) ABOVE HIS COMPANIONS.

Solomon was anointed above his companions and reigned on a throne from Jerusalem until he died and then passed the kingship to his son. Jesus had already died. But God anointed him above his companions (which could be men or even angels in the context of Jesus is greater than any other spiritual being) to reign in the heavens. He is given special authority over all because he has the character of God.

So again Jesus is above all other spiritual beings. We can trust him for any problem we might face because he has the authority to help and because he loves justice and hates lawlessness. We can trust. Turn to him in your hard times (and also in the good times for that matter). He is above all of us.