Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14 NLT)
Observation:
Some early Christians from Jewish descent were downgrading Jesus to the status of angel or prophet. The writer of Hebrews makes a clear defense of how Jesus is the heir and Son of God. The author ends with a one line job description on angels, "sent to care for the people who will inherit salvation". However, based on Old and New Testament text we can add a little more detail to this description.
Angels are executors of God's judgement, guardian of God's people, and herald of God's plan. In short they are created beings who serve the will of God and His Son.
Application:
It is human nature to want to explain why bad circumstances are happening. Some of the Jewish Christians were in danger of abandoning their faith because of the terrible persecution they were experiencing. The enemy is right there ready to pounce with the same lie he used in the garden "God isn't who He says He is and He isn't going to do what He has promised to do".
Thousands of years later, the same lie is whispered and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is reduced in status to prophet, healer, or a good married man (according to the latest argument of the history channel). Through one seed of doubt, faithlessness in Jesus Christ spreads among even the most devout Christians. And the consequences can be catastrophic to your walk of faith; if God isn't who He says He is, then is the bible true? Am I really saved?
I have to constantly guard my mind against the foolish arguments of the world. The current trend is to piece together your own version of Christianity and the bible and whatever feels right to you. The problem with this perspective is the god of the world then is you. You determine what is right, moral, and true. I know I don't have what it takes to be god. Left to my own devices I would be in hell, a hell that I created myself. I have to rely on the truth of God, live according to His ordinances, and walk in His Spirit. When faced with the choice of where to put my faith, either science, the world, feelings, me, or Jesus Christ, I choose Jesus Christ every time.
Prayer:
Father, allowing seeds of doubt sown in my heart is a very real threat. I know that in myself I would follow the ways of the world. I need Your truth even more than I need air to breathe. Please sanctify me with Your truth, may it stay ever close to my heart and be ready upon my lips. I lift up the Christians that are suffering right now. Whispering their names to You, I pray that they would remain faithful during the refinement process. Thank You Lord for being faithful even when we are not and for sending Your Son to save us; to save me!
No comments:
Post a Comment