Articles
Warnings in Hebrews
Warnings in Hebrews
The book of Hebrews presents the religion of Jesus as the better way. We have a better messenger, hope, covenant, priesthood, sacrifice. However, believing this and following Jesus will bring tribulation and problems. How will we respond to such trials? The writer of Hebrews knows this problem and addresses it by warning the believers of consequences. These warnings are interspersed in the discourses about the better way of Jesus. Listing these warning according to chapters gives us this list:
2 – the warning against neglecting this message of salvation
3 – the warning of being unfaithful as was Israel under the Old Covenant
4 – the warning of not entering into the promised rest.
5 – the warning of becoming dull of hearing.
6 – the warning of being complacent with first principles.
10 – the warning of rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus.
These warning are real because the trials and testing of our faith is real. Trusting Jesus is a life-long affair. We trust him in the beginning and become disciples. We then live a life of trust – 'walking by faith' (2 Cor. 5:17). We are 'the just who live by faith' (Rom. 1:16-17). The warning is needed because faith can become shipwrecked and overturned (1Tim. 1:19). The danger is that people can and have believed 'for a while' and then fallen away (Luke 8:13). The way of faith is being faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10). While the way of faith may be filled with trials, troubles, and even persecutions, the END is the way of glory and peace. Let us be faithful. Hugh DeLong
