QT 7/17/2026 Heb 10:26–31, Warning to Christian who are not serious in their walk with God

Hebrews 10:26–31 (ESV) —

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

NOTE: I think this passage is clearly speaking to born-again believers. There are a variety of reasons, but the easiest is that author includes himself in the first verse when he says "we." But the author never uses the phrase "eternal" in any of the descriptions of the judgment. I think there are two judgments occurring here for the believers who willfully separate themselves from the body (described in 10:19-25). First, they will burn in the fire that will consume Jerusalem (in the next few years, AD 70). They will not leave when they get a chance (in opposition to the Lord's own warning), and they will identify with other Jews as a means to maintain their livelihood (or so they think). Second, they will face believers judgment where his life's work will be revealed, and they will suffer loss.

 

1 Corinthians 3:15 (ESV) — If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

 

What does it mean for a believer to suffer loss? I don't know. A number of Christians have quoted the verse that says there are no tears in heaven. Or they ask if I think believers will have regret? I think we may carry verses too far, and out of context. The apostate believer cannot lose their salvation, but God's word says that they will suffer loss and face God's judgment of his people.

 

Why do we want to know the answer? Is it because we are like the Hebrew Christians, neglecting faith so that we can live life as we please? All I can say to those believers is what the author here says to believers: "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

 

PONDER:

1. God warned the Hebrew believers of the danger of not being serious with their faith -- could that warning be true for me as well?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for Christians who live for comfort and not service. I pray for those who have retired or have their retirement home. There is no retirement option in this life. Our retirement home is in heaven, now is not the time to slow down or to give up ministry.

QT 7/16/2026 Heb 10:19–25, Getting serious about our faith

Hebrews 10:19–25 (ESV) —

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

NOTE: Here is the application of all the previous theology and comparisons of the new to the old covenant. It is fivefold: 1) draw near, 2) hold fast, 3) stir up, 4) meet together, and 5) encourage one another. This is a pretty good list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, as well as a good list for why people fall away or even apostate themselves (note: I am not suggesting you can lose your salvation).

 

1. Draw near means to meet with the Lord in his word and in prayer. It is the number one reason why so many Christians never grow or change or look any different from the rest of the world.
2. Hold fast means to trust God with events of life, believing that he is in ultimate control and that he promises to work things out for good for the believer. (Note: Heb 11 will go into more detail).
3. Stir up means that we are to challenge those who are not growing in their faith to get into their bible and get serious with their walk with God. Challenge them to be a real disciple of Jesus.
4. Meet together means that we put a priority on corporate gatherings. Hey, I get it, I'm a loner. I don't like meetings or large groups, but I know it is a good thing for me (science says the same) and it is a good thing for others that I show up and fellowship.
5. Encourage one another cannot happen if you are spiritually dead or on spiritual life support. If you are not meeting with God regularly in his word, you have nothing of value that you can share with another. You must get serious about your faith and about your relationship with God. If you do that, God will give you a vibrant life that can encourage others.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I doing these 5 things and what is the excuse I will give to God?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray you would wake up the church. We are not much better than the early believers in Jerusalem that Hebrews is addressed to. I pray for a seriousness in our faith, and to experience the peace and joy of a relationship with the God over all.

QT 7/15/2026 Heb 10:15-18, Breaking free from slavery

Hebrews 10:15–18 (ESV) —

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws on their hearts,

and write them on their minds,”

17 then he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

 

NOTE: The author quotes a prophecy from Jeremiah. Commentators (Allen, and Lane to name two) suggest that the author is pulling the quote forward and telling the reader that the Holy Spirit is saying this now. It is being fulfilled. It is a new covenant. It is different from the past covenant, although in the old covenant they were supposed to have the law memorized. Now it will actually live within them. I believe that is the Holy Spirit who takes up residence in each believer and brings to mind Gods' word.

 

A second important truth from the Jeremiah quote, which should seem obvious, is that if there is no remembrance of sin, that is complete forgiveness by Jesus' work on the cross, then there is no need for any more offerings for sin. This argument is based upon the Old Testament passage quoted.

 

The author has made it very clear that Jesus is our new high priest, repeated sacrifices are made obsolete, the new covenant does not fix up the old -- it excludes the old. Jesus sits now at the right hand of the Father, the work is finished. The future covenant that Jeremiah prophesied is here, now. And what had been shadows and copies are now replaced by the real thing, access into God's Holy of Holies.

 

One last point, the author operates from a dualist "already/not yet" eschatological outlook with respect to Christ's reign (Allen, DL, 2010).  Yes, there is a future eschatological reign of Christ, where Christ will return and subjugate his enemies permanently, but there is also a world that has already come, the heavenly Jerusalem, which believers have already come.

 

Hebrews 12:22 (ESV) — 22 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,

 

We are part of the kingdom of God now, and we await the physical kingdom of come where Christ's reigns on earth.

 

PONDER:

1. It is hard to read these verses and wonder why Jewish believers (Messianic) might turn back to Judaism. That was the first century issue, but non-Jewish Christians are similar in their desire to place themselves under the law, thinking they have found some spiritual secret. Paraphrasing Paul from Galatians: Live in the freedom of Christ, not in slavery to the law. Where do you stand?

 

PRAYER: Father, I don't know what our problems is. I wonder if we really have tasted the goodness of God, or if we are just playing the game "spirituality." Free us from Satan's schemes. Help us to experience the freedom and rest (shalom) we have in Christ.

QT 7/14/2026 Heb 10:11–14, Real Jesus changes our lives

Hebrews 10:11–14 (ESV) —

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

 

NOTE: One key comparison is that Old Covenant priests are standing and Jesus has sat down (more specifically, he has sat down at the right hand of God the Father). A priest stands because he is never finished, he repeatedly is offering the same sacrifices. Even worse is the futility, the work of the priests can never take away sins. Not to be too harsh because the sacrifices covered the people temporarily and reminded the people daily that they have a sin problem, but the problem could never be solved under the law.

 

Jesus sat down because he finished the work. One single offering, his perfect life, perfects all those who believe in his name. I like the way the amplified bible translates verse 14, because I think it captures the word used for "are being sanctified" best.

 

Hebrews 10:14 (AMP) — For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.

 

I still think the author used hagiazo differently than Paul. Half of the uses refer to consecration and holiness, and so the idea of justified in God's eyes is valid. The author's first usage (verse 10) put the word sanctified in a "perfect past" tense, whereas in verse 14, it is the present tense. This section's usage seems to line up more closely with Paul. The author is saying that we are justified immediately by Jesus' sacrifice and we are being made holy by Jesus' sacrifice as well. That actually makes sense experientially. When a person believes in Christ, there is a complete change in their life, but they do not stop sinning. If they continue in his word, they "grow" spiritually and experience additional change. And as I mentioned yesterday, the final stage is glorification when we exchange this physical body (with Adam's imputed sin) for a new body, not affected by sin.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I changing spiritually?
2. Have I ever experienced a born again moment where my life completely changed?
3. Do I desire to get into God's word every day?
4. If the answer to the above three questions are negative, you might want to take some serious inventory of your life:

Luke 13:25–27 (AMP) —

25 When once the Master of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door [again and again], saying, Lord, open to us! He will answer you, I do not know where [what household—certainly not Mine] you come from.

26 Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.

27 But He will say, I tell you, I do not know where [what household—certainly not Mine] you come from; depart from Me, all you wrongdoers!

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that if some who read this Quiet Time are just religious and churchy, that you would open their eyes to their true destiny. Help them to humble themselves and turn to you. Protect them from pride and pretending to know you.

 

QT 7/13/2026 Heb 10:8-10, The new covenant positional-ly changes us now

Hebrews 10:8–10 (ESV) —

8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

NOTE: The "first " referenced in verse 9 is the current system of sacrifices and offerings. Parenthetically, the author makes it clear that the old covenant law demand these things. The "second" is the interjection of the Son as a new and divine offering, which does away with the first system. This new offering, the sacrificial death of God's perfect Son Jesus eliminates the entire sacrificial system while sanctifying "we," believers in the Lord Jesus Christ once for all, in other words, for eternity.

 

What does it mean to be sanctified. The author uses the word which can be defined as consecration in terms that suggest positional justification. To be sanctified here is equivalent to justification in Romans, and is another reason that Paul is unlikely to be the author.

 

Allen, argues that sanctification is a process that continues through our whole life. It starts with Jesus death and finishes with our transformation at the rapture. Jesus' prayer in John 17:17 seems to suggest that is also a process. Positional-ly, we are justified. We are in a process of sanctification. In the future, we will be glorified.

 

Theologically, sanctification is both an objective and a subjective matter. We have been made holy objectively by the cross of Christ and we are in the process of being made holy through ongoing sanctification by the Holy Spirit throughout our lifetime. [Allen, D. L. (2010). Hebrews (p. 500). B & H Publishing Group.]

 

John 17:17 (ESV) — Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

 

God's word transforms and changes us, but not without the death of Christ on the cross for our sins.

 

PONDER:

1. The real question is not how the author uses the word hagiazo, but have we been justified by faith in Jesus, and are we growing in our faith to become more like Jesus in his life, with the hope of future glorification in a new body like his resurrected body?

 

PRAYER: Father, again I thank you that our lives have a future and a hope. This weak body will pass away soon, and we will be given new bodies. I look forward to the immensity of the joy that my faith in you holds.

QT 7/10/2026 Heb 9:23–28, Jesus is returning to finish the work God started

Hebrews 9:23–28 (ESV) —

23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

 

NOTE: This is the glorious message of the gospel and why it is SO much better than the old covenant. Jesus appeared on earth once to take away sins. He shed his blood and put away sin by his sacrifice. He enters the holy places that are true, not copies made by human hands, and he enters into God's presence on our behalf. He is the best mediator because as God's son, he sits on the right hand of God the father, and he is God too (one person in the triune God). He is coming back. He will appear one more time to save those who are eagerly awaiting him. I'm sure it felt like a long time to the Jews of old, 2000 years of the Abrahamic covenant, and 4000 years or more since Adam and Eve (at least what is recorded). It has now been almost 2000 years since his death and that seems like a long time too. But we have to trust God that he who promised is faithful to complete the work he started 6000 or more years ago.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I ready for the return of Christ? It can come at any moment or many years from now, but I am called to be ready. Believe in the Lord Jesus. Today is the day of your salvation!

 

PRAYER: Father, help us to live boldly as your witnesses in a world that is increasingly lost and in rebellion to your commands. Violence and sin rules in many places. Human systems have failed and will continue to fail. We need to be born again and turn back to you before it is too late.

QT 7/9/2026 Heb 9:15-22, Coming signs

Hebrews 9:15–22 (ESV) —

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

 

NOTE: This is a confusing passage and I suppose it would help to have the author explain his use of the word "will" versus "covenant." Apparently, many commentators disagree, although it doesn't seem to make much difference. Since the paragraph starts out discussing an inheritance, I will go with "will." It also seems to agree with most of the passage. Jesus' death on the cross starts a new will and testament. His shed blood ratifies this new will which inaugurates this new covenant. He died, and then rose again, proving the efficacy of the new covenant's power over death.

 

During the feast of unleavened bread, Jesus was tested by the Pharisees and scribes. He died during Passover (as our Passover lamb), and he rose again on the feast of first fruits, the first day of the week, Sunday. He then distributed the promised gifts (the Holy Spirit) on the day (feast) of Pentecost. In a sense, his life fulfilled all the spring feasts on the Jewish calendar. I believe he will fulfill the fall feasts in his second coming (feast of trumpets--rapture; day of atonement--tribulation; feast of booths--wedding feast and new millennial kingdom).

 

PONDER:

1. Jesus' fulfillment of the OT law gives me great confidence in my faith. The signs, proofs, written record by eyewitnesses, and martyred lives by his closest companions are strong evidences. Are you sharing these truths with others?

 

PRAYER: Father, it sure seems like the days are coming to a close. The scoffer still scoff and sinners celebrate sin, just as before the flood. But I believe the increasing sin and apostasy of the church are signs of the end of the age.

QT 7/8/2026 Heb 9:11-14, Heaven requires perfection

Hebrews 9:11–14 (ESV) —

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

 

NOTE: Everything before was but a shadow and copy. Everything pointed to the need for a better tent, a better sacrifice, and better blood. Jesus entered into the holy of holies (the one in heaven) by means of his blood and his perfect life. As God-man, he took on the sins of the whole world, and ended the devil's most powerful weapon, death. One would be a fool to replace a perfect sacrifice with imperfect religious rules. We can never do enough good to secure a spot in heaven on our own works. There is left only one sin that is not covered, and that is to not believe in God's only son. Jesus died for the world's sin, but that is not helpful if you have but one sin in your life, disbelief in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It only takes one sin to make you unqualified to enter a perfect and holy heaven.

 

PONDER:

1. Only one sin disqualifies you from heaven. Heaven requires perfection. Jesus' death can make you perfect in God's eyes, but only if you believe in Jesus. Where do you stand?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am amazed at what you have done to attempt to save the world, but so many are in open revolt and continued rebellion to their creator. I pray that you would wake us up. Come Lord Jesus, come.

QT 7/7/2026 Heb 9:6-10, A complete salvation is available

Hebrews 9:6–10 (ESV) —

6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

 

NOTE: The author has already told us that the new covenant makes the old covenant obsolete. His walk-through of the old system is intended to show why it did not work. All of the activities and religious structure could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. The old covenant's only redeeming value was that it reminded us of our sin and our failure to meet God's standard or to be seen by God as righteous. No sooner than an unintentional sin is forgiven, how much time elapses before I sin unintentionally again. How would I even know that since it was unintentional?

 

No, we needed something that can truly clear our conscience and make us righteous in the eyes of the thrice holy God of the universe. Jesus' death makes that possible. He died for the sins of the world. For those who believe, we are sealed with God's Holy Spirit and our bodies become temples of God. In Paul's letter to Corinth, he writes:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) — For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Jesus took our sin upon himself and gave us the righteousness of God. The Father now sees Jesus when he looks upon us.

 

These truths are incredibly freeing. I know a lot of my personal sins and struggles, but I don't know it all. I'm sure I do many things unintentionally. But in Jesus, I am clean of willful and of unintentional sins. I am clean!

 

PONDER:

1. Do we appreciate the depths of our salvation, or are we still holding on to religious practices in some vain attempt to please God?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want to live a righteous life before you, not in some vain attempt to please you (since I am perfectly and fully loved) but out of thankfulness for the salvation you have given me.

QT 7/6/2026 Heb 9:1-5, We can have access to the throne room of God

Hebrews 9:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

 

NOTE: I suppose, the most obvious question that arises in this passage is the placement of the golden altar of incense. Now, the author could be referring to a censer that was used on the day of atonement so that the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and be protected. But another explanation is the association of the golden altar of incense with the Holy of Holies from an access point of view.

 

Exodus 40:5 (ESV) — And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.

1 Kings 6:22 (ESV) — And he overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold.

 

The golden altar of incense which is placed outside of the Holy of Holies and in front of the screen separating the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy Place, and represents the prayers of the saints. To its right and left, are the table of shewbread and the 7-candle menorah light. Those two items represents God's provision for worshippers. The bread is his word and the light is his direction and leading. The scriptures refer to God's word as bread and also as light.

 

But we enter God's presence through prayer. Before, there was a mediator and a very thick curtain that protected the worshipper from God's holiness. At Jesus' death, the curtain was ripped from the top down, emphasizing that Jesus has opened a new way into the presence of God. We exchange our unrighteousness for Jesus' righteousness upon belief, allowing us to enter into the throne room of God.

 

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) — Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19–22 (ESV) — 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

The point of all this is answered in Heb 10. We now have access to God, not through a mediator but directly through the work of Jesus (our new High Priest) on the cross. We can throw away religion and instead experience a true relationship with the most high. There is no greater privilege on earth.

 

PONDER:

1. Have you experienced the life changing experience of being born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

PRAYER: Father, nothing has changed my life more than my simple profession of faith so many years ago. I was born again. I felt it, I saw it, I experienced it, and I am experiencing still each day. It was the most consequential decision of life, and I pray that others could experience that same change.

QT 7/3/2026 Heb 10:1-7, A new and better way

Hebrews 10:1–7 (ESV) —

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body have you prepared for me;

6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,

as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

 

NOTE: The author continues the argument that the law was ineffective. It was a shadow or even a copy of the realities of heaven. Repeated offerings only temporarily covered a person's sins and need to be continual habit. They did have the positive effect of reminding us of our sins, but they could never take away our sins. At certain points in the history of Israel, God expresses his dismay with Israel and how tired he was with their repeated offerings.

 

Jesus is the new way to God. His sacrificial death pays the penalty of sin completely. It does not remove sin because the human body inherited sin, but it does free us from slavery to sin and promises a new body untainted by sin. At the rapture, God will resurrect the dead in Christ and those believers who are still alive and will give us new bodies that are not tainted with sin. Then we will be truly free of sin. The dead are free of sin, but only because they have no body. But Jesus is the first fruit of the resurrection, new bodies without the stain of sin.

 

I look forward to that day. It is hard to imagine not struggling with temptation, it seems so ingrained in who I am. But I trust God's magnificent power to recreate life.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I been born again? Then I have the hope of resurrection.

 

PRAYER: Father, I prayed that I continue to grow in grace and knowledge of you. Continue to lead me in your paths. It is now approaching three years since I retired. Is there a new thing or a new direction? Lead me and guide me I pray.

QT 7/2/2026 Heb 8:7–13, Seeking the one true God of the bible

Hebrews 8:7–13 (ESV) —

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

8 For he finds fault with them when he says:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,

when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel

and with the house of Judah,

9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers

on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

For they did not continue in my covenant,

and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws into their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor

and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

and I will remember their sins no more.”

13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

 

NOTE: Once again, there is much that can be said about this passage. It was always God's plan to do away with the old covenant. God was not surprised that the people did not obey or that the old covenant did not solve man's sin problem. It was as the book of Galatians teaches, a guardian until a new and better covenant came secured by the blood of the Son of God. Why would God establish a faulty covenant in the first place? I don't think it was faulty. It was a guardian. It provided a temporary covering for sin. Most importantly, it revealed our sin and a need for a savior. In the book of Romans, Paul argues that he would not know that coveting was a sin if the law did not say it was a sin. The old covenant was good but it was preparing us for a better covenant by revealing our need.

 

Today, the temple of God (which was destroyed a few years after Hebrews was written) is in our heart. Paul teaches in Corinthians that our bodies are temples of God where the Holy Spirit indwells. We have the Holy of Holies within us. The law is in our minds and on our hearts. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and reveals truth. We can now know God personally through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The new covenant is a much better covenant.

 

In today's day and age, people are searching for churches and religion that make them feel good, that agree with their concept of God. If you are attending a church for that reason, you are probably worshipping an idol. Whether you like it or not, God is revealed in the bible. If you don't like what the bible says (all of it), then you are probably worshipping an idol of your own making. The new covenant is found in the bible. Seek it with all of your heart -- all of it.

 

PONDER:

1. Where does my concept of God come from, culture or the word of God?

 

PRAYER: Father, this world is falling apart and we search for answers in the wrong places. There is so much pain and anguish. I pray for you to show yourself strong to believers and to help us to seek you with all of our heart.

QT 7/1/2026 Heb 8:1-6, A much better belief

Hebrews 8:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

 

NOTE: There is a lot in this passage. The emphasis seems to be on where Jesus is as High Priest. First, he sits on the right hand of the throne of God, making him also royalty. Secondly, he ministers in the true tent (tabernacle) that the Lord set up, not the one on earth which is only a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. Third, it does not say it here, but it has been said, Jesus offered up his perfect life, God-man, as a substitutionary payment for our sins. Jesus did it once, not repeatedly like the earthly high priests, because Jesus' sacrifice was so much greater than any other possible offering. Consequently, Jesus' ministry is "much more excellent" than the old, and it is built upon better promises. Why? Nothing is temporary, but Jesus' work is complete and permanent. This new covenant makes everything permanent. At conversion, we are justified. As we live, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are in the process of being sanctified, made more like Christ. And at the rapture, we will be given new bodies and be like Christ, in terms of a sinless nature. So there is great hope in this covenant. In fact, one could say that this was the hope of the Old Covenant, a Messiah that would save them from their sins and the oppression of the enemy Satan.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we still clinging to religion and good works? Why?
2. There is no other salvation on earth but belief in Jesus' work on the  cross -- where are you placing your hope?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know that I am far from perfect and to fall into sin far too often. I see you changing me and it is dramatic, but also sometimes discouraging because I still fail. Be gracious and merciful to me, a sinner. Help me to change and honor you.

QT 6/30/2026 Heb 7:23-28, Forgetting what is truly important and real

Hebrews 7:23–28 (ESV) —

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

 

NOTE: I like the summary in verse 28. Jesus is greater and superior to the high priests of the Old Covenant, the law, for three reasons. One, He is the son of God, eternal and immortal, rose from the dead and never will die. The old system had 83 different high priests (Josephus's number) because human men die. Two, Jesus is the more recent appointment, because the previous high priests were weak and ineffective. Three, Jesus was appointed by God by an oath, which I don't think any previous High Priest could say (maybe Aaron or Samuel, but the word used is only "to call," not "to appoint"). And even if you might equate "call" with "appoint," none received an oath, only Jesus.

 

Jesus is an absolutely greater High Priest of a new covenant built on better promises (an oath, a relationship, an eternal future, an indwelling, adoption, and an inheritance).

 

As my country enters our 250th anniversary (a very short time among nations of the world), one can't help but notice the apathy toward the event. Some of that is because of the extreme political culture of our time. Some of it, is that we are spoiled by freedom and riches. We don't realize how great our country has become. Quite frankly, we have become fools. I think the same thing can happen with faith. When times are good, people forget God, and when times are bad, people turn to God. We don't realize what we have until it is gone ("they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"). I pray that would not be our spiritual result.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we realize how great a salvation we have in Jesus?
2. Do we treat with disdain or apathy the immense riches we have in Christ? Our seriousness is the measure of our real faith.

 

PRAYER: Father, it seems the churched move further away from real faith each year. We are satisfied with playing the game as long as life is comfortable, all the while destroying the marks of our faith, a changed life. Reveal to us our sins. Change our hearts. Pour out your grace again.

QT 6/29/2026 Heb 7:18-22, The New Covenant guarantees my salvation

(Hebrews 7:18–22, ESV) 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind,

‘You are a priest forever.’ ”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

 

NOTE: The Greek word for "set aside" in verse 18 means to cancel or abolish, and is the same word used to describe what happens to our sin when we put our faith in Christ. In other words, the law does not apply to us in any way. We are in a new covenant. Technically, the ten commandments do not apply to Christians, but what does apply is Jesus command to love God and love our neighbor because those two commands sums up the whole law. Jesus actually changed the most of the ten commandments. He called adultery looking at a woman lustfully, for example.

 

The thing that most impresses me, is that the old covenant was useless in helping a person draw near to God. And that is the whole purpose of the new covenant, to know God. The barriers are removed and God's Holy Spirit indwells those who have put their faith in Jesus' sacrificial death for our sins. And even better, Jesus is the guarantor of this new covenant. There is no doubt on our salvation, primarily because nothing depends upon us.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize how secure my salvation is in Christ?
2. Everything prophesied about Jesus has occurred according to prophesy. Why do some not believe that the end of times will occur according to prophesy?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for my secure salvation. Help me to be intentional in my faith and take advantage of opportunities to share my faith.

 

QT 6/26/2026 Heb 7:11–17, A totally new covenant is required

Hebrews 7:11–17 (ESV) —

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

 

NOTE: There are three main points in this passage. First, religion based on external works can never save anyone. The law was faulty and needed to be replaced. Second, a new High Priest violates the Old Testament law because under the Law, the high Priest had to be a Levite and a descendant of Aaron. Jesus is our new High Priest and he is from the tribe of Judah. Therefore, under the new Covenant, the old testament law is now invalid. Third, Jesus as a High Priest in the likeness of the story of Melchizedek, illustrates a totally new type of High Priest. Jesus, resurrected from the dead, is eternally our High Priest having offered his body, once for all, for the remission of sins. Our sins are not just covered as the OT law provided, but they are paid for completely. We are redeemed, paid for by Jesus, something religion could never do.

 

But you say Christianity is a religion. To some, that may be true, and it is worthless to those who treat it as such. Christianity is a new birth and a new relationship with God. It is by grace (it could never be earned) and is acquired by the simple act of faith.

 

PONDER:

1. Are you still playing the religion game, or have you been born again?

 

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes before it is too late. The days until you return are quickly passing. I think they are very close, possibly within a decade. Only you know for sure, but I want to be ready. Come Lord Jesus, come.

QT 6/25/2026 Heb 7:1–10, An incredible High Priest

Hebrews 7:1–10 (ESV) —

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

 

NOTE: I have struggled with this passage since I would be accused of spiritualizing the Gen 14 if I had used the same arguments. The author is creating an example "type" to compare to Jesus. First, Melchizedek was real and human. He was a High Priest. He was great since, literally, all of Israel (represented by Abraham's seed) presented him with a tithe. The "typology example" is seen in the fact that his parents are not mentioned, his name is King of Righteousness and his title is King of Peace, and his death is not recorded. The "type" assumption is that he is eternal, just like Jesus. They represent a different type of High Priest, a King-High Priest, who lives eternally. In this sense, Melchizedek resembles the Son of God. But Jesus is even greater than Melchizedek and certainly greater than Aaron as the author will continue to argue in the next few chapters.

 

What does this mean to us, present day believers? We are not in a religion based on works. We are not represented by human and fallible priests. We have a relationship with God himself. We are indwelt by the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. We have direct access to God by Jesus. We are righteous in God the Father's eyes by Jesus. We are adopted into God's family. We are co-heirs with God's son. Wow! Why would anyone want to step back into Judaism or religion?

 

PONDER:

1. Is my faith religion or a relationship with God himself?

 

PRAYER: Father, again I thank you for the incredible gift of Jesus and the adoption into your family. I am unworthy. I want to live in a manner that brings glory to your name. Give me the strength I need for each day.

QT 6/24/2026 Heb 6:13-20, We have what we need, why do we ignore it?

Hebrews 6:13–20 (ESV) —

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

 

NOTE: What are the two unchangeable things, God is unchangeable and His Word is unchangeable. God (the Father) raised Jesus (the Son of God) from the grave as the first fruits of our own resurrection. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus, the word of God, has declared the truths of God.

 

John 14:6 (ESV) — Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 10:9 (ESV) — I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 11:25–26 (ESV) — Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 3:36 (ESV) — Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Mark 16:16 (ESV) — Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Luke 23:43 (ESV) — And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

They are many more declarations. It is impossible for God to lie. We have these truths before us. They are testified by the miracles performed before many eyewitnesses and the resurrection, also seen by many who wrote about it and went to a martyr's death rather than deny it.

 

I'm not convinced by martyr's, well at least second generation and greater martyrs who can believe something that is not true. But it is hard to deny first generation eyewitnesses. No one dies for a lie.

 

The message is absolutely true, and every day brings us closer to his return and the rapture of the saints into our resurrection bodies.

 

The danger of apostasy is an emotional response to events that ignore truth. We must remain anchored to the truth of God's word and not the deceitful lies of the culture.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I anchored in the word of God? Daily?
2. Have I traded truth for the emotional and deceitful lies of the world?

 

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes. I pray we would read your word daily. Nothing has the power to open our eyes like the word of God. It is a sword that digs deep into the soul. It is a fire that burns away lies. It is a lamp that guides us along the right path.