So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and humanity’s historical interactions with Him. The Bible details the hidden keys to the Kingdom. Hence, the reason we are reviewing a new book each week.
This week we move to the letter entitled Hebrews. As the video highlights, the book’s larger message is: Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s love and mercy. A profound statement for sure but one that seems obvious in the scriptures. So what is the question or situation the author is trying to address? I am do glad you asked.
Ancient Rome was at its apex. During the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) of the first and second centuries AD (200 years), Rome benefited from the expansion of its empire, with vast amounts of wealth and diverse cultural influences flooding into its borders.
A Christian believer in the Golden Age of Rome would have held a contrasting view to that of their neighbors and the much of the wealthy. Romans believed in a multitude of Gods with vast amounts of stories about how they came to be. If you wanted to be part of the upper class, there was strong social pressure to live and believe as the majority of society. Herein, lies the issue the writer of Hebrews was addressing.
Personally, I believe the author is trying to help the people of his day persevere when some might think it’s easier to just go with the culture. A friend of mine calls this “going native.” The writer’s challenge is increasingly becoming ours in America.
“Have you thought it would be easier to live as a non-Christian in America?”
It’s a thought many have had and several million had fallen prey to. It's a thought from the evil one and its as close to the initial question of the garden snake to Eve than any other whisper he speaks to us.
“ Just give in to your every whim. Pursue money, power and fame as the ultimate goal. If it feels nice, don’t think twice. Forget good and evil. You do you and let the world do the same. Your personal truth is all that matters.”
All of which are lies.
Current PEW research shows only 63% of Americans identify as Christians. That is down from 75% just 10 years ago. Also, the study shows that 29% of Americans have become “Nones” as it relates to their beliefs. A “none” is a person who doesn’t believe in anything in particular. That’s roughly 165 million people in America. These are people to which the evil one or his minions have whispered too, and who have fallen prey to his schemes.
The author of Hebrews witnessed what we are witnessing today.
People adopting the majority’s viewpoint on faith in order to “fit in”
People who have begun to prosper in terms of money, power and prestige are:
disenfranchised from being a part of a community of believers
believe their intellect and decision making are so superior to their fellow man they no longer need God, are unwilling to be held accountable to others as well as our ancient orthodox tenets.
People reverting back to former cultural beliefs out of comfort versus understanding.
The author of Hebrews longs for Christ followers not to be tempted to go back into Judaism and put their faith in moses. Their confidence was in the visible things of this world, not the invisible realities of God. Instead of going on to perfection (maturity), they were retreating to their old ways.
In the same way today, we see some idolize the tangible or the majority world viewpoint over the intangible and Christian worldview. Christ followers are to stand strong against the schemes of the evil one and be ready when persecution comes. Persecution always comes. Expect it if you are living the alternative lifestyle of Christ. Let's take a look by opening our bibles to Hebrews 10:32.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
38 And,
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
These words give me great hope. The world, as unbelieving and evil as it is, is following the pattern of the evil one. We shouldn’t be disheartened. Quite the opposite. We should be even more diligent. What is happening is not new. We are living in a time prophesied years ago. We just need to trust and obey. Trust that there is a place with God for those who repent and believe. AND follow the directions given by God, demonstrated by Jesus and now empowered by the Holy Spirit. AS YOU DO, REMEMBER You are destined to be IN HIS PRESENCE FOREVER so rejoice, show the world the joy, love, hope and peace within so that they may ask, “What are you so giddy about?”
And you can respond, I have come to believe in the ultimate truth, God’s love for me includes a promise of all the grace and mercy I could ever need.
Communion
Creative: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/hebrews/ 8:15
References: Quest Bible Overviews p:,1763-1780
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wiersbe) Volume II, p. 316-317
https://www.ranker.com/list/what-was-life-like-in-ancient-rome-golden-age/melissa-sartore
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/
