Truthfully, how are things? Are you discouraged? Perhaps the thrill of salvation is not as intense as it once was; in fact, it could be you are not feeling ‘thrilled’ today. Period. The joy of knowing Christ has been buried beneath the debris of your life. When you hear a new convert talk about their love for Christ and how wonderful it is to be saved, you’re almost annoyed at their excitement. “Yeah, give it some time,” you say to yourself, “and you’ll feel the same way I do!” Really, you aren’t annoyed at their excitement; you’re a little bitter that you have lost your own thrill of being saved.
Have you ever thought of turning back?
Don’t!
There were Christians we read about in the New Testament who were wavering and wondering if their new faith in Christ was all that it was cracked up to be. Was it worth the mockings and the persecution? “Do I really want to be numbered with the minority? Taking the heat for being a follower of Christ is getting to me. It’s no fun being unpopular.”
The daily barrage of mockings, bullying, put-downs, and pejorative jabs eroded their confidence in Christ. Should they have left all and followed Christ? Maybe they should go back to some of the other things they were accustomed to in their old religion – Judaism. “Maybe things don’t need to be that clear cut. Perhaps we could still believe in Christ but also mix in some of our old religious practices.”
Wavering, doubting, and looking back and maybe thinking about turning around until, yes, until the big letter arrived. It was entitled: HEBREWS! If ever they had any doubts about Christ, this letter swept them all away! You couldn’t read this letter without getting the message loud and clear: Christ is superior to every thing else and every one else! He is so much better!
Watch their frowns turn into glowing smiles as they listened to the letter being read publicly. Micaiah would poke Julias in the ribs and whisper: “Yes, that’s my Saviour! He’s better than angels.” A little later, Lillian would breathe deeply and in her heart say: “Yes, that’s my Lord – He’s better than Moses, Joshua and the prophets!” Dorthea clenched her fist with excitement, half raising her arm in the air: “That’s my Man!” And, as the letter was read, the list of betters and greaters and superiors grew longer.
Christ is: “so much better.” Hebrews 1:4
At coffee-break can’t you see the Christians huddled together talking a mile a minute:
“I can’t believe I was ever having second thoughts about our Saviour and Lord. Why did I ever start looking back at the old things – the altars, the sacrifices, the rituals? Would I rather have a picture of a Porsche 911 or the car itself? Would I rather the shadow of a yacht on shining waters or the yacht itself? I see it very clearly now. The Old Testament is filled with pictures, illustrations, types and shadows, but we have the real thing! Or should I say we have the real ONE – Christ!”
Dear believer, when have you last read Hebrews? Even if you don’t understand a lot of the things specific to Judaism and the Old Testament, you will still get the core message of the absolute superiority of Christ. Even a skim through it will leave you energized and thrilled with Christ! If you need a lift today or a heart-warming activity, use your speed-reading skills and do the 60-minute read of Hebrews! It’s guaranteed to make a difference.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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