Hebrews 7:18 (KJV)
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
The first time the name Melchisedec comes up in Hebrews is in chapter 5, and chapter 7 wraps up the topic.[1] Therefore, chapters 5-7 should be viewed as a whole. This is significant, considering Hebrews 5:10-11 (KJV):
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Then in Hebrews 5:13-14 (KJV) it says:
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The Bible says a mature Christian can discern both good and evil. From the context, it is apparent that this refers not just to moral good and evil or right and wrong, but to things that are spiritually good and evil. It’s about discerning what is helpful to the soul and what is not—what is weak and unprofitable versus what is powerful and beneficial.
In this context, the passage is about recognizing that the Old Testament commandment is weak and unprofitable compared to the New Testament commandment, which is better. As Hebrews 7:25 (KJV) says:
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
We know that some of the Jews in the first century could not reconcile faith in Christ with the Old Testament traditions. They could not see Christ as absolutely sufficient. The same struggle exists for many today who want to trust Jesus but cannot bring themselves to believe He is able to “save them to the uttermost.”
For some, there must be something to add:
• Like the Old Testament commandments,
• Like baptism,
• Like sacraments,
• Like church membership and good works.
Or they believe it must be possible to lose salvation if we somehow disappoint the Lord.[2]
This is hard to comprehend and hard to accept. Whatever work we want to add to the gospel is weak, unprofitable, and disannulled.
But Jesus—He is able, absolutely, “to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.”
#ChristIsSufficient #FaithOverTradition #SavedToTheUttermost #GraceNotWorks #SpiritualDiscernment
Saved to the Uttermost: From Milk to Meat
[1] Chapter 8 provides a summary of the subject.
[2] Or the church, or another believer.
- What barriers have you faced in fully trusting Christ for your salvation? q
- Read chapters 5 through 7 and note how the message of Melchisedec reshapes your perspective on faith and tradition.
👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
For this and, more than 6400 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.
If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.
For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.
My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org
Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/
Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more
Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give.
No comments:
Post a Comment