Lesson 10
Hebrews 6:9-20 New King James Version
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and [a]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become [b]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the [c]immutability of His counsel, [d]confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two [e]immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we [f]might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
First Impression?
My group came up with “pass” (which happens a whole lot actually), behind this curtain, God is before us, patience, and God is just. I was confounded by the idea that someone swearing by a higher authority meant anything. I figure liars lie and trust needs more than an oath.
Things that accompany salvation – Can you list three things that accompany salvation?
The list we complied: eternal life, relationship, joy, heir to kingdom, true life, freedom, forgiveness, hope, mercy, confidence, peace, grace, adoption, abundance, assurance, and promise.
Minister to the saints – “They will know because we love one another” – Tell me again, how our love is visibly different between believers and non-believers.
Once again, a list: widows, orphans, neighbors, purpose, not selfish, different goals, acceptance, genuine behavior, and joy.
Diligence vs. Sluggish, Faith and Patience – When we see believers struggling with faith issues or non-believers with believing issues, how do we make patience seem a good thing?
Another list? Walk with them, do not treat them like an idiot, God is still on the throne, and examples. Just saying it is not helpful.
We are commanded not to bear false witness and we are commanded not to swear an oath. – how does this fit into God swearing by Himself?
Beats me. I took on the opinion from the Bible that if I say it, it must be as true as if I were someone else and swore by it, so why swear at all?
Blessing and Multiplying – What does this promise mean to you?
My notes say faith brings expansion of blessings. The compounding of love by sharing is better than the simple addition of one more good deed done without love.
Abraham was patient. He obtained. – Is that the way you read the story?
Abraham was not patient in all his actions, but apparently the idea is that he was continually having faith that God would provide in some form or fashion.
Swear by the greater and an end to all dispute – What does this phrase mean?
Again, I have no idea.
17 and 18 – I read this to be addressing the covenants God made with us. What exactly is the difference between a “normal’’ declaration by God and a covenant made by God? Is this even the point?
Again, I have no idea. My group gave me answers, but none hit the mark for me to get it.
Anchor of the soul – Is this a new image of how you are held firmly in salvation against whatever may come?
It was to me. I always fell back on the hand image and God simply carrying me. But this image of being in a boat with an unbreakable anchor set in an unbreakable foundation, gave me a new look into the mechanisms that God can protect me while the storm of the world rages around me.
With the first part of the chapter being 1) believe now, this second part is 2) utilize the promises salvation brings you. – What part of life is not covered by a promise of God?
None. God is wise beyond our knowing and He thinks of even the little things like a pillow for a long car ride for the kids. Through this whole lesson I wanted to understand, but like a kid in the back seat asking “Are we there yet”, I need to simply follow and enjoy riding with the Father.