STUDY 47: EXHORTATION ON FAITHFULNESS AND STEADFASTNESS

Hebrews 13: 7-9

The previous verses remind us of God’s promise and our necessary confidence in God. “For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13: 5). This promise of Divine companionship encourages the faith of every child of God. It gives us say, “The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13: 6). Since the believer’s Helper is none other than the Almighty, no real harm or evil can possibly befall him. The abiding presence of the Lord ensures the supply of every need and guarantees an all-sufficient help.

In gratitude to God’s promise and help received from Him, we are to be faithful to Him and be steadfast in the Word of God and to the doctrine of Christ. Faithfulness to God and His Word demands the recognition and respect for those who lead and teach us the Word of Truth. “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me” (Matthew 10: 40). “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Him that sent me” (Luke 10: 16). Thus, we are to remember and follow the teachers of the Truth, rely on Christ who changes not, either in doctrine or power, and remain steadfast and unmovable in the truth and doctrine of Christ.

THE DESIRED SUBMISSION OF THE SAVED

Hebrews 13: 7, 17, 24; 1 Thessalonians 5: 12, 13; 1 Timothy 5: 17; 1 Corinthians 4: 15, 16; Philippians 3: 17; 2: 29; 1 Thessalonians 2: 13.

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God. This has reference to preachers and teachers of God’s Word, christian leaders who are called, gifted and anointed by God to expound and enforce the Truth of God’s Word. Those who listen to them are to accept them as representatives of Christ. All the children of God are to remember, respect, esteem, love and obey their spiritual leaders and teachers. To remember includes thanking God for them, speaking well of them and putting into practice their teaching. To remember also means to treasure up in the heart their instructions, to call to mind their exhortations, warnings, counsels and to constantly meditate upon the truth received from them.

“Whose faith follow.” The word follow here is to imitate. “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you” (2 Thessalonians 3: 7). The faith and faithfulness of christian leaders should be an example, an encouragement, a challenge for members of the Church to follow.

OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR - EVER THE SAME

Hebrews 13: 8; 1: 12; Malachi 3: 6; Psalm 103: 17; 102: 27; John 8: 56-58; Revelation 1: 8, 17, 18; James 1: 17.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. The Old Covenant had to be changed, the temple was destroyed, the ceremonial law was abolished, the levitical priesthood was removed, but Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the Mediator between God and His people, remains unchanged. Under Judaism, Aaron had been followed by Eleazer, and he, by Eli; but our great High Priest abides forever. Israel’s prophets followed each other on the stage of action; but our Prophet had no successor - He abides forever. Israel had a long list of kings but our King - Jesus Christ - is the eternal King, forever the same.

He is the same in His divine Person - eternal, immutable, omnipotent. He is the same in His office - eternal Priest, Prophet, King, Saviour and Lord. He is the same in His relationship to the Church in every generation - mighty Saviour, powerful Shepherd of the sheep, effectual Intercessor, faithful Sanctifier and Baptizer, great Physician and Deliverer, eternal Lord and King. He is all He ever was - the all-sufficient Saviour. In every state of the Church, in every condition of believers, He is the same to us and will be so until the consummation of all things.

DOCTRINAL STABILITY AMONG THE SAINTS

Hebrews 13: 9; Matthew 24: 4, 24; Ephesians 4: 14; Colossians 2: 4, 8; Romans 16: 17, 18; 1 Timothy 6: 3-5, 20; 1 John 4: 1; Jude 3.

The Lord, Jesus Christ, is the same, therefore, be not unstable in doctrine. Christ is the same Teacher: His doctrine does not vary, His will does not fluctuate, His purpose does not change, therefore we should remain steadfast in the Truth. Holding the Head (Colossians 2: 19), we submit to His will, abide in His unchanging doctrine and obey His Word in all things.

Christian doctrine does not vary from day to day because Jesus Christ is ever the same. The Truth is fixed; the Gospel is unchanging; Christ remains the same in His will; therefore we must refuse to be led away by those who teach anything different. Each of us should fortify himself against false teachers and persevere unto the end. “Buy the Truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23: 23), “for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace” (Hebrews 13: 9). To live with God eternally, we must be securely anchored in Christ, with an established heart, rooted and grounded in the Truth.

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