The Profoundly Profound Truth of Hebrews.
I wish believers who say they believe and obey the scripture would
believe and obey the liberating profound truth found in this Hebrew
passage.
Chapter 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Then in verse12 it continues, But this Man (Jesus), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful].
Do you really think God wants His people to live with sin consciousness, feeling condemned, unworthy and guilty, begging and crawling on our on our belies before Him, constantly pleading for mercy and forgiveness? At the same time having no confidence whatsoever to approach Him, because we are so ashamed and condemned by our failures?
Or do you rather think God would want us to be conscious of the fact that we have been completely forgiven of all sins (past present & future), fully accepted and loved by Him, and aware of the fact that we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places, given His righteousness because He has crushed the enemy and sin's authority in the believer's life?
The post cross covenant does not tell us to repent of our sins. Yes Jesus & John (and also Paul & Peter) told people to repent and be baptized, but Jesus and John we preaching under the old covenant to people that were still under the law, and whenever Peter & Paul were using the words “repent & sins” together, they were preaching to non-believers, telling them to come into Christ, and that their repentance will lead to salvation. Nowhere in the new covenant does it tell BELIEVERS to repent of their sins. But it does tell BELIEVERS to repent of something else: "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…"(Heb. 6:1)
Trying to earn God’s approval by reading the Bible more, paying dues, praying more, joining religious organizations, or other good deeds, is the “dead works” syndrome, because our security and feeling of belonging is based on what we do, and not on what Jesus has done for us. In broad terms the book of Hebrews is a summary of the superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant, with the new covenant based on the finished work of the cross and us understanding what God has already done for us, and the old covenant based on ceremonious law keeping and religion, based on inferior promises and the traditions of men.
Therefore in Hebrews 6:1, Paul is not talking about us having to repent of our sins, but to stop trying to earn our salvation and to stop trying to please God by our doing, because He is already pleased with us, regardless of our failures.
Chapter 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Then in verse12 it continues, But this Man (Jesus), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful].
Do you really think God wants His people to live with sin consciousness, feeling condemned, unworthy and guilty, begging and crawling on our on our belies before Him, constantly pleading for mercy and forgiveness? At the same time having no confidence whatsoever to approach Him, because we are so ashamed and condemned by our failures?
Or do you rather think God would want us to be conscious of the fact that we have been completely forgiven of all sins (past present & future), fully accepted and loved by Him, and aware of the fact that we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places, given His righteousness because He has crushed the enemy and sin's authority in the believer's life?
The post cross covenant does not tell us to repent of our sins. Yes Jesus & John (and also Paul & Peter) told people to repent and be baptized, but Jesus and John we preaching under the old covenant to people that were still under the law, and whenever Peter & Paul were using the words “repent & sins” together, they were preaching to non-believers, telling them to come into Christ, and that their repentance will lead to salvation. Nowhere in the new covenant does it tell BELIEVERS to repent of their sins. But it does tell BELIEVERS to repent of something else: "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…"(Heb. 6:1)
Trying to earn God’s approval by reading the Bible more, paying dues, praying more, joining religious organizations, or other good deeds, is the “dead works” syndrome, because our security and feeling of belonging is based on what we do, and not on what Jesus has done for us. In broad terms the book of Hebrews is a summary of the superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant, with the new covenant based on the finished work of the cross and us understanding what God has already done for us, and the old covenant based on ceremonious law keeping and religion, based on inferior promises and the traditions of men.
Therefore in Hebrews 6:1, Paul is not talking about us having to repent of our sins, but to stop trying to earn our salvation and to stop trying to please God by our doing, because He is already pleased with us, regardless of our failures.
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