Time will tell if our nation will one day get to the point where those among her who follow Jesus will be at risk of prison or the loss of their homes or even their lives, as were the Jewish Christians to whom Hebrews was written (cf. Acts 8:1-4). Yet regardless of whether that day comes or when it comes, and regardless of whatever hardships come into the path of Christians in our society, the exhortation God had for the early church is the same exhortation he has for all who would follow him today and for all time: “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (vs. 35-36).… Read More Hebrews: Christianity Is The Religion of Endurance

There’s a popular notion that the God of the Old Testament is the vengeful, punishing God, while the God of the New Testament is the God of love and grace. This view ignores not only the fact that the Old Testament cites God’s love and mercy repeatedly (i.e., the Psalms, Jonah 4, etc.), but also that the New Testament frequently refers to the wrath and vengeance of God (cf. Acts 5:1-11; Romans 2:4-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; et al). God is both love and wrath, mercy and vengeance, forbearance and justice.… Read More Hebrews: When Jesus’ Sacrifice No Longer Applies

Our study of Hebrews has shown us a group of Christians pressured to renounce Christ instead of confessing him. The persecution brought onto Jewish Christians by their fellow Jews was severe (Hebrews 10:32-36; 12:3-12). So confessing Christ back then was not a simple, one-time admission of faith in an air-conditioned church building surrounded by approving friends.… Read More Hebrews: Holding Fast To Our Confession