A Consuming Fire -Hebrews Bible Study
I finished studying the book of Hebrews, and I wanted to share what I learned in my study. Hebrews is aimed at Jewish Christians to encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith by illustrating the superiority of Jesus Christ to Old Testament heroes and figures. Jesus’s sacrifice is final and sufficient for salvation, rather than Old Testament practices of sacrificing animals. Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we can accept his sacrifice for us, being cleansed and made whole through taking Communion.
“Fix your thoughts on Jesus.” - Hebrews 3:1
Putting God first and foremost means trusting him over any person in this world. God is the ultimate parent, therapist, doctor, pastor. Go first to God for advice on your troubles, and others are secondary to him. Talk to God through prayer and listen to him speak to you so he can sustain you in times of stress and pain. God can be relied on in times of suffering and pain, he is the one who is unchanging for all of Eternity.
Listen to God’s words and put them into practice. In the morning, I talk to Abba and ask him what I should do during the day, when I need guidance on my todo lists and tasks for work and studying and even chores. Abba gives me comfort and guidance and is my Father, my parent who cares about me and loves me first.
Hebrews also talks about being in fellowship with other believers. I didn’t recognize the importance of this until recently, which is why I started going to my non-denominational church more consistently. I go to a Catholic church, but people don’t talk to each other, but we do take Communion in the form of the blood and body of Jesus Christ, unlike some other Catholic churches who take only the bread. Being in fellowship with other believers encourages you in your faith and fills you with hope and comfort when surrounded by secularism in the day-to-day. My study Bible suggests talking to believers daily and encouraging each other with love and concern. I’ve been socializing more with other believers and talking to them about my faith, instead of isolating myself. A Christian community is good and to be desired. Choose friends committed to the faith, as non-believing friends will have values and activities that will derail you from the course.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24
Intense trials and temptations can last for years. Trust in God’s timing. Affliction is part of the process of sanctification, and through the trials, he disciplines us and helps us be obedient to him. On the day of Judgment, God will judge us all Christians on how we have lived, and I want to pass with flying colors. Being Christian is like training as an athlete for the Olympics. Suffering discomfort and pain is part of the process, it helps us mature and develops our patience, strengthens our resolve and encourages humility and ensures our final victory. The prize at the end of the race is salvation, a life with God in a place free from sin and suffering, with new resurrected bodies free of pain, sickness, and disease.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1-2
Draw near to God through prayer, worship, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, and meditation on the Word, which includes Scripture reading and memorization, worship songs, and talking to Holy Spirit. This is the process of vivification. Through mortification, repent and God will heal your conscience through forgiving your sins and wash away the regrets of the past.
God shows his love for us through discipline. He does not tolerate sin, he is a disciplinarian parent and an Olympic coach that pushes us to our limits and requires discipline so we can win the reward of Heaven. Don’t be distracted by discomfort and give into the pleasures of the world. Stay the course. When we lose sight of God by giving into the ways of the world, the bitter root of unbelief grows. For me, I gave into the ways of the world in high school and college, and I lost sight of my faith. The root of unbelief can grow and plant as a seed inside you that sprouts unfruitful sin. Mistakes and sin can have long-lasting consequences, which aren’t just limited to regret. Even repentance and regret can’t restore what you forfeit through sin.
“For our God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12:29
Everything that is temporal, worthless, full of sin, imperfect, or destructive will be devoured by the fire of God’s wrath. He does not accept or tolerate sin, and he is an all consuming fire that eliminates sin from you for your own good. Mortification, the death of sin in your life and body, occurs because God does not want you to be a slave to sin.
Practice love. Love for others, for yourself, for God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Pray to be filled with love by the Holy Spirit to fill you up with God’s love. Here is a prayer for those who need to love.
Lord of Heaven, you are the one who loves me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by you. Show me the grace of your abiding love. Fill me up with the Holy Spirit to yield the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Forgive me for the ways I haven’t loved other believers, forgive me for the bitterness that has sprouted inside me. Thank you for your goodness and graciousness and compassion for me. I pray for compassion and love to fill my heart. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
