The Book of Hebrews

If you could summarize the book of Hebrews up in a single sentence what would you say? How about this: The blood of bulls and goats served only as a reminder of our sin but Christ's sacrifice was final because it paid for those sins since he still lives.

This is why works based theology just does not cut it. You have deceived yourself if you think God approves of you better if you merely try to do good things. You have turned the Word of God on its head by stating, through your actions, that if I just try to be the best person I can be God will reward me and be happy with me. But when things don't quite go the way you want; when your world comes crashing down, you think God is angry. You have totally missed the mark indeed! You have misunderstood what the Gospel is all about. You are living by the law. Your sin serves as a reminder only. It is as if some alarm goes off in your head that tells you that you need to try a little harder to please God - because God is not very happy with your efforts. You have forgotten that what Christ has done, according to the book of Hebrews is that he has paid for your sin if you come to him in faith. But you who do not yet grasp this; you who are all wrapped up in the "word of faith" movement; follows of the Benny Hinns of the world; are close to giving up and falling away. You can never measure up to the standard of the Law. You have not comprehended what it means when you emphatically nod your heads in the affirmative that Christ has paid for your sins! You have really no idea what it all means. To you the book of Hebrews gives grave warnings. Repent, therefore, of your sin and ask God to open your understanding to God's inner working of his grace and mercy. Reading the book of Hebrews is a great place to start.

-Joe