My Daily Pause

Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death. – Proverbs 16:25 NCV

When the Blue Fairy and Jiminy Cricket told Pinocchio to “let his conscience be his guide,” the world thought (and maybe still does) they were getting good sound Bible principles. Here is a little food for thought on this “Disney theology:”

• The majority of people living in sin are not acting against their conscience.
• Incorrect worship is sinful yet it usually makes people feel good about what they have “done for God.” (Colossians 2:23)
• A philanthropist that never obeys the gospel will be passed over at the judgment even though most consider him “good”

What steps are you taking to know that you are “doing right?”

An ongoing theme in Hebrews is that Christ was better. Christians enjoy a better agreement with God than the Jews had under the old law -all because Christ came and died for us.

Christ Was Better

• Christ is better than angels (Hebrews 1:4-14) – The Angels worship him (Hebrews 1:6), He is God (Hebrews 1:8)
  

  Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek — by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1464–67

• Christ is greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6) – Christ was everything Moses was (prophet, mediator, king) and more (prophet, mediator, king, high priest)
• Greater priest than the Levites (Hebrews 4:14-5:10) – He was both high priest and king. (Hebrews 5:5, Psalm 110) More Details ->
• A priest like Melchizedek (Hebrews 7) – Christ’s priesthood is permanent (Hebrews 7:24), No need for daily sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27)
• Sealed a superior covenant (Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 8) – Sins are no longer remembered once forgiven, made the first old(Hebrews 8:10), Does not apply only to the Jews (Galatians 3:29)
• A better sacrifice (Hebrews 9:1 – 10:39) – Used his own blood as a sacrifice once and for all (Hebrews 9:11-13)

And Three Things We Need to do to be Better

In return he expects better service. (Hebrews 12-13)

• We treat Christianity like a race, running with endurance and setting aside anything that would slow us down or encumber us. (Hebrews 12:1)
• We are to accept the discipline of a loving father that cares enough for us to make sure we are going the right way. (Hebrews 12:7-11)
• We are to pick ourselves up and go on when we notice we are down (Hebrews 12:12-13)