The Devotional - A Look at the Book #773

by Jesse Abel

A Word from Papa “J”

People with deep pockets carry gold, silver and precious stones. Myself when I reach into my pockets I pull out hair, sand, old screws and few sticky pennies. The rich and the poor have this in common; they live together on earth. The heart of that one who listens to the wisdom of God has a deeper pocket called the soul and filled with a better reward called the joy understanding the wisdom of God. Proverbs 8:1-11

Good Morning

We are taking an overview of the epistle of Hebrews and to say that I love this epistle would not be sufficient. I love all of the Word of God. Yes I also know that some of you who read these epistles know me up close and you know that some days I do not seem to love anything or anyone. So you may be saying… so how does that work; Jesse? Well the simple answer is that the grace of God supersedes, or is more superior in me then the works of my flesh which are sometimes evident.

Most, or more appropriately; many believers would agree with that statement and just as easily we can say or agree with scripture that we are called of God to be dead to the death of sin and alive to Life in Righteousness. Sin belongs to Adam, the first who sinned; Righteousness belongs to Christ the First who did not sin. Romans 5:12-21.

In our overview of Hebrews, I would like to look at three statements, two of which are in this Romans passage used by the apostle Paul and the third statement used by the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 9:27-28. Romans 5:15 and Romans 5:19. In Romans the apostle explains that there are many who reject a Life of Righteousness, choosing rather to be dead to the death in sin. Also, there are many who are alive to a Life of Righteousness through grace.

So as the apostle Paul explains… sin reigns in death for those in Adam; grace reigns through righteousness for those in Jesus Christ. While it seems to be somewhat of a mystery that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world in that all sin is covered and paid in full by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ circa 37AD; many people chose to reject and many people chose to accept this truth. John 1:11-13.

This then brings up a challenge; is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ sufficient to cover the entire sin of the world, or is it just sufficient enough for the many who accept and believe according to the many statements found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and many of the epistles such as these we are looking at in Romans and Hebrews. I believe John answers this question clearly in John 3.
Not all people will receive the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but for the many who do believe the curse the wrath of God is lifted and for those who reject; the wrath of God abides under the curse of death to all who sin. Genesis 3:17-19; John 3:18 and John 3:36

Now we can take a look at the third verse of scripture – Hebrews 9:27-28.

The appointment of death because of sin is an appointment that everyone faces. There have only been two or three people since time began who did not make this appointment but according to the events played out in Revelation known as Daniel’s seventieth week; will physically die then. Enoch of whom it is said that he walked with God and after that could not be found, Moses who died on the mountain, yet there is not grave and Elijah who was caught up in a whirlwind of fire. Genesis 5:24; Deuteronomy 34:1; 2 Kings 2:11

So all of mankind is appointed to death and judgment, no one is exempt not even the three mentioned above; those in Christ will be at the bema seat of Christ; 2 Corinthians 5;9-11; these are the many that Christ died for. Also He died for those who are not in Christ; those at the great white throne judgment of Christ; Revelation 20:11-15.

So while I sometimes sin and sometimes don’t, I can safely say that Jesus’s sacrifice was sufficient for all of my sin because He died for all, even the many who reject Him and as the apostle Paul says, “I am what I am by the grace of God”. 1 Corinthians 15:10.