Heralds Digest

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14 NKJV) The completeness of any atonement for sin is not in the solemnity of the order of service in the sanctuary; it is in the cleansing power of the sacrificial blood used in the service. The blood of animals, as used under the old covenant, offer partial atonement. Therefore, the conscience of a sinner remains polluted with the guilt of unrighteousness, even after pardon for sin has been declared by the priest. However with the once-and-for-all sacrifice of a sin-less Christ, total atonement that deal completely with the root of sin becomes possible. Nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse any sinful heart from dead works.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Hebrews 8:10 NKJV) The knowledge of the law in the head of man enslaves his heart to sin. That is, even when the heart is mindful of the guilt of sin, it doesn't guarantee the freedom of the flesh from the law of sin and its consequences. While the knowledge of the law, through the old covenant, provides the guidelines between righteousness and un-righteousness, it increases the strangeness complex within the heart of man from the character of God. However, the new covenant brought the grace of God, where the laws of God get written in the heart rather the head. In the new covenant, righteousness is based on relationship with God rather than rules and regulations from God.

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6 NKJV) The old covenant is limited both in space and scope. Atonement for sin was a continuous exercise; and the access of the Forgiven to the presence of God was restricted. Whereas the new covenant is anchored on the once-and-for-all atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Unlike promises from earthly tabernacles, the Mediator of the new covenant sits on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Without prejudice to the reasoning of aliens to the new covenants, the basis of the superiority of promises from heavenly High Priest over earthly promises is straight-forward.

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV) A good priest is readily available to intercede for his subject's sin before the throne of grace. Many of the old testament priests were dedicated to their callings as the harbor of salvation from the torment of tresgression. The only problem with the old testament priesthood is that no promise of protection was guaranteed beyond the life of the priest. Unlike the old covenant, Jesus' priesthood offers unlimited salvation because He lives forever to make intercession. Although Christ never promised a crisis-free parishioning, His declared cessation of crisis is never excalated beyond the authority of His priesthood.

"For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God." (Hebrews 7:19 NKJV) Religion provides the platform for the worship of God, whether known or unknown. The identity challenge is simplified by the worshippers of idols, made by wood, stone, or any artifact made by hands. Although many would readily query the sense in the worship of the work of one's hands (which is even the most common practice, like the worship of wealth, properties, possessions, etc), there is also no wisdom in the worship of an unknown God. Only faith in the sacrifice made by God himself removes the gap between man and his Creator. Therefore, hope of a lively relationship with God is better than a mere religious obligation.

"And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:15 NKJV) Giving up is easy to be excused in our fast-paced world. Unlike Abraham, time is more significant to many believers than the character and charisma of God. Yet, God's word and promises are independent of time, infallible in space, and immutable with circumstances. Therefore, the fulfillment of God's promises only depend on the endurance of the potential receivers of the promise. It is more profitable to excuse time, and wait upon God rather than men.

"That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:12 NKJV) Unless every man's eyes are set on the undoubted fulfillment of the promises at the end of his race, it is almost certain he would be running for something else, if at all he remains in the race. Heaven is the least of the promises to the saints of God; but every saint of God is called and empowered to run a special race toward a specific target in every area of life. Although God's grace is always sufficient for every runner in the race, it is inadequate for anyone who chose to embark on another fellow's race. In order to avoid sluggishness and frustration, special grace for specific race needs faith and patience. Without absolute reliance on the influence of the Spirit of God, life's promises are often forfeited at the threshold of their fulfillments.