Month: July 2023

“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” Heb 12:22-23 (ESV) This idea of coming to the heavenly Jerusalem and Mt. Zion (the mountain on which Jerusalem is built) is a contrast to the previous verses in Hebrews 12 about the fear of the destructive power of God that the Jews experienced when God descended on Mt. Sinai. There is a great contrast between the two mountains, Mt. Zion is fearful but Mt. Zion is blessed. God transports followers of Jesus to the joyful mountain in heaven, the heavenly Mt. Zion. And this is not just a future experience; it is something that has already Continue Reading →

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12:11 (ESV) The word “discipline” refers to instruction or training that includes correction, for example, in the raising of a child. Thus, the focus is not primarily on punishment for a wrong but rather the general overall training of a Christian, though it is painful training. Christian training is painful (or more accurately in the Greek: grievous) for us just as children become distressed when their parents move them to do something that does not feel good to them. Therefore, as Christians we embrace, and even expect, the distaste of the challenges and sufferings that come our way. We do not avoid our training because it is our heavenly Father who is training us so he can fully restore his image in Continue Reading →

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Heb. 6:11, ESV). It is easy to think that no one appreciates the things we do to help others. In their hurry they may forget to thank and encourage us for our help. We can tell ourselves we don’t really need the encouragement but it really makes a difference when we are thanked and encouraged. But your Father is pleased with your good deeds. So if we do not receive thanks, or if people forget our contributions, we have the encouragement from this passage that God does not forget what we do. He sees our work, especially when we help His people. And even more, God actually deems our help as loving Him! We also know from Heb. 6:7 that God gives Continue Reading →