10-30-18 Today in the Word

Book of Hebrews: A Call to Faith in Christ
FINAL EXHORTATIONS: FOCUS ON JESUS
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | Hebrews 13:7–16

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “The only thing constant is change.” Our experience and observation seem to validate his statement. From weather patterns, to political leaders, to our own bodies, life is constantly changing.
Scripture reminds us that at least one thing is perfectly constant: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (v. 8). The eternal God who created the world lives today, and remains forever the anchor for the Christian life. By focusing on Him, our lives should bear fruits of loyalty, endurance, and worship.
One way that we are loyal to the truth is by imitating our faithful leaders. Because Jesus does not change, and the truth about Christ remains the same, we must stay loyal to it, resisting the pull of false teaching (v. 9). In an age when some Christians are wanting to accommodate their teaching to the world’s values, Scripture reminds us that God’s truth does not change, and we must remain loyal to it.
Endurance is also required for us to focus on Jesus. Christ Himself offered the perfect sacrifice and “suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood” (v. 12). That perfect and eternal sacrifice means we too must “go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore” (v. 13). We can endure suffering because of the One who suffered for us.
Finally, we are called to a life of worship. In our corporate and private worship, we “offer to God a sacrifice of
praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (v. 15). But Scripture also tells us that our whole life is an act of worship, and “with such sacrifices God is pleased” (v. 16).
APPLY THE WORD
Some accuse Christians of being “so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Today’s Scripture shows that focusing on Jesus must also produce a life that is full of practical commitment to Him and to others. Think of the tasks in your day and consider how you might make those earthly activities into acts of heavenly worship.

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