PARTNERS WITH GOD
The Bible is your key to living a
successful life. In its pages is found absolutely everything you need for life
and for godliness. (II Peter 1:3) For
that reason, I encourage you to make Bible study a part of your everyday
routine. In this teaching we will look at a portion of the Book of
Hebrews. Because Hebrews is the most
extensive study on our covenant with God it must receive adequate time and
attention by each of us. We will take
our text from the second chapter of this Book.
Please read again the first two chapters to re-acquaint you with it. The
writer of this Book sets the stage for the his entire letter in chapters 1 and
2, which is to clearly develop the truth that Jesus holds the preeminent place
in God’s scheme of the universe. But he
moves beyond that truth into an area of doctrine rejected by some because he
speaks of the partnership of redeemed mankind with Jesus. To the unlearned this
is a notion of immense theological error; such people fail to properly
understand their covenant with God and the implications thereof and, as a
result, fail to receive the whole of truth of the Word. That will not be you because you have a heart
to receive God’s truth herein.
The first three verses of chapter two refer to God’s salvation provided
to fallen man. The writer gives an
earnest warning in verse one, that we must give heed to what we are being
taught. Notice the word salvation is referred to as “…so great a salvation…”, especially when compared to anything that went before it,
namely the Law of Moses. It was (and is)
so important to mankind that He gave witness to it in three ways:
It was delivered directly by Jesus His
Son,
It was confirmed by eye witnesses (the
apostles),
The Holy Spirit, through signs,
wonders, miracles, and gifts, further confirmed it.
In these first two chapters we find interesting insights into how humans
and angels interact and how they relate to God and to
Jesus. This is vital information since
from it you learn important things about yourself in God’s scheme. Here, God reveals His divine order, and it
flows downward as follows: First – the
Father Himself, second – Jesus His Son, next the redeemed, and lastly the
angels.
One of the most dramatic themes of this passage is the critical role
played by man in God’s scheme. Verse 5
tells you that mankind will rule the future world; he also reaffirms in verse 7
that man is God’s delegated authority of the earth. (Genesis 1:26-28) Such a
lofty position for man as a ruler smacks against the old religious adage of man
being just a “poor old sinner saved by grace.”
When you read that God has installed you, His covenant child, in this rulership position, it is very difficult to buy into the
notion that “I’m just a poor old sinner saved by grace.” This revelation of
your importance to God in His universal plan should cause you to rise to new
heights in excitement over your salvation and who you are in Christ Jesus! Actually, you are training to rule right now
as you learn and grow spiritually.
Much space is given in this passage to the role of Jesus on the earth as
a Man. This is key
to your understanding of your own spiritual authority on the earth. Jesus had to be made a flesh and blood man if
He was to fulfill God’s plan for man’s salvation. Only man could break the
bondage of sin (vs. 15) and defeat Satan (vs. 14) who had stolen man’s rightful
place of authority on earth from Adam, but none could be found who were
blameless. That is why it took Jesus
being transformed into Man to affect the plan of God.
The Book of Hebrews is the quintessential study on our blood covenant
with God. This truth is once again
affirmed in verse 16 when Abraham’s seed is mentioned. God is referring to you
and me right there, and also to every born again believer who has ever accepted
Jesus as Lord and Savior. (Galatians 3:29)
And He mentions this in order for you to comprehend your own calling
into greatness in His kingdom as a son of God and an inheritor of His covenant
blessings.
So, the next time you are feeling low about yourself and asking the
question: “Why is God mindful of me?” you can know that He cares about you
because He loves you since you are in the family and because you have a very
important part to play in His plan for the redemption of the earth.
Look again to verse 11. It says:
“both He [referring to Jesus] who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified
are all of one.” This means they share a common existence as flesh and blood;
(His brethren) it further reinforces what Jesus said in John 17:21 about His
people being one with Him and with God.
This covenant concept of oneness declares our existence in Him, our
mutual purpose with Him, and that we possess His power to enforce His authority
here on earth. That is why as it says in
verse 8 “…He left nothing that is not put under him …“ [man]
Now you can see that neither Satan nor any demonic power can defeat
you! You know that even your own flesh
has no dominion over you! Sin is a
defeated foe as well! May God’s will be done on earth exactly as it is in
heaven, and may His glorious name be praised for this wonderful revelation!