No Accident

 No Accident                       1-11-2025

It has been said that"spiritual victory"is no accident.It is the outworking of fundamental truths taught in God's Word.It requires effort.In Matthew 8 an example of these truths is explained.Look.

Matthew 8:5-13

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 It is important to note that the Lord Jesus is not saying He had not found faith in Israel.Indeed He had found it multiple times before this encounter.But,He had not found such great faith.The Bible says that "He marveled.."Most versions use the word 'great'in place of 'such.' The point is this.Jesus is making a marked distinction between the faith that He had so far encountered in Israel and this Centurion's "great faith."

In Matthew 22 and 25,we have two parables which further explain the distinction in chapter 8.All of these passages are describing who will gain access to or exclusion from being a co-heir with Jesus.In chapter 8 the Patriarchs and the Centurion were people of great faith.In Matthew 22,an INVITEE to a wedding feast has not properly prepared himself to attend the feast,consequently he is not allowed to partake of the festivities and joy of the son's feast. In Matthew 25,three SERVANTS are given authority over their Master's property and are judged according to the return they provide the Master at His return. The most productive receives a commendation and a reward of more authority,on down to the non productive servant.This last servant loses his initial talent and is cast out into outer darkness.(though not relevant now,the outer darkness is not hell.)

 

 There are libraries written on these passages, but our intent here is simply to recognize a distinction.A distinction being made between believers and the manner in which they conduct their lives; which will lead to a distinction in their reward for service or lack thereof.That is all.We can leave the volumes of theological discussions for another day.

 

The Book of Hebrews was written in an attempt to persuade a group of Hebrew believers from apostasing because of intense persecution.There are two themes in Hebrews for our discussion.A distinction is made in the first chapters.The distinction being the superiority of Jesus as opposed to the angels or even Moses.Jesus,is the way to God's blessing and reward.They are being warned that if they apostasize,they will face judgment.They are given a choice in chapter 3 of becoming partakers or companions of Christ and entering His rest.If they reject the offer of being partakers and  choose to go back to Judaism, they will fall into a state of immaturity, described in chapters 5 and 6.Chapters 7-11 talk about Jesus's better sacrifice, then another offer of a "festal gathering" and the "assembly of the firstborn" in chapter 12.Let's take a brief look. Remember our focus is on the distinction.Look at this.

Hebrews 3:13-14

"But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

After being warned about developing an evil, hardened heart because of unbelief, the author of Hebrews makes this declaration.We or they can become partakers or companions in Christ if they hold fast their original confidence. Now some say this sharing in Christ is talking about our position in Him in salvation.Is the author talking about initial salvation here.No,I don't think so.Why?Because of the conditional clause"if" and the warnings that follow in chapters 5 and 6.If this is talking about salvation from hell, then it is salvation by works."If we hold," makes us responsible for our salvation in some form doesn't it.It puts the burden on us to maintain our standing before God.It contradicts among other things the eternality of eternal life.Do you remember in our last post we briefly discussed Psalms 45.A King was getting married.Because of His love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness,He is anointed "beyond his companions."Remember the mention of companions? Turn back to the first chapter once again.In the attempt to persuade these Hebrews of Jesus superiority to all else, the author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 45.We know who the King is, but who are these companions? Well,in this context, they are the ones who will "hold fast their original confidence." These companions in Psalm 45 were an inner circle of the King.The King had a greater anointing and these partakers, these companions in Hebrews are being offered that special status.Partakers of the glory of the King,and all that entails.But,in order to be a partaker of this,they must hold fast.Let's jump to chapter 12 and get a further look at this concept.

Chapter 12 is encouraging these Hebrew believers to endure and run patiently the race set before them.It speaks about the unpleasantntness of discipline.Contextually,this is addressing endurance in the midst of persecution.Difficult times and circumstances if you will.Towards the end of the chapter however, the author speaks about a coming Kingdom that cannot be shaken.In the midst of this discussion we read these words.

Hebrews 12:22-24

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." 

Speaking to the Hebrews,the author envisions a party in heaven.A festal gathering with angels in the heavenly Jerusalem.Then these words....."and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God..."

This is a mention of the inheritance rights of the firstborn.Looking all the way back into the Old Testament.Remember? There was a distinction made of the firstborn wasn't there? The firstborn received a double portion right? A distinction given only because one was the firstborn. 

In this context, we have a gathering of the firstborn with God and Jesus the mediator of a better covenant.This gathering contextually is speaking to the Hebrews IF they HOLD FAST.Is this a literal gathering? I believe it is.But,even if it is not do you see the principle being explained here?Not only here,but I have been persuaded that this is the theme of the entire New Testament.Once we are confident in the freeness and the eternal nature of our salvation, the rest of the New Testament is speaking to living the life to reap the rewards.Some believers will garner more commendation and reward than others.It will be based on the believer's manner of life.However,the judgment will be just.It will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself judging our deeds along with our motivations.Why we did what we did.That is another post.I have more, but I think I will stop here.

Listen Brothers and Sisters,all I wanted to do here is to show you that the "hard verses"are not necessarily hard.While some still remain difficult to get a grip on, the truth of the matter is this:Scripture does not contradict itself.It cannot be broken.It can be difficult.I still struggle with passages to this day.I know however and have been persuaded that these passages will be revealed to me in due time.I rest in the fact that God's salvation is indeed that..God's salvation.That being said,God has made that salvation conditional.That condition being belief in Jesus.Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.Being persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God,the Messiah,and He will give you eternal life if you just believe that!No work of any kind will suffice to obtain or to maintain that which God has done.And that brothers and sisters is truly good news,That is the Gospel.Once you read the New Testament in that context, the questions start to be answered.The contradictions fade away.

This doctrine of rewards will cause one to reflect on their past.It is good and even spiritually healthy to assess one's past as it relates to living the life.It is not healthy to stay focused on the failings of the past.Don't look too deep or too long, because the deeper you look into your human heart the worse it will get.The doctrine of rewards is designed to have the opposite effect on our outlook.Indeed,it is designed to get us to look away from ourselves, and focus on the Lord God and His will for our lives.As C.S.Lewis said,"It is not thinking less of ourselves,it is thinking of ourselves less."To the extent that we submit and abide in the presence of God,that is the level of our"companionship"that we will be rewarded for.Folks,true humility is not some sort of self abasement or soul annihilation.No,no.True humility is very simple.It is like salvation,a 5 year old can understand it.Humility is simply agreeing with God.It is saying that God is right in all circumstances and we are not.Many,many times that will require us admitting to Him that we are wrong and with His grace and by His power, aligning ourselves with what He says is right and true.There is no contradiction in God.If you don't hear a word I am saying,hear that.

A final word, finally lol.More than anyone else,Jesus Himself encouraged His followers to live in the light of future rewards.It is not selfish, self centered, nor improper for believers to look forward to rewards for obedience.Read these. Matthew 5:10-12, 6:1-6,10:40-42,16:27,24:45-46,Luke 6:23,and 35,12:43-44,14:13-14,19:17,Rev.22:12.

On and on and on it goes.There are many,many more.I leave with a quote from  a 19th century Baptist minister and theologian,Alexander Maclaren.

"I do not need to waste your time and my own in defending Christian morality from the fantastic objection that it is low and selfish because it encourages itself to efforts."

All we must do is believe

God Bless.