◄ What Does Hebrews 3:6 Mean? ►

Hebrews provided Jewish Christians in the early Church a brilliant understanding that Israel's Old Covenant had been superseded by a New and better Covenant, cut at Calvary through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus.

They came to understand that in former days, God spoke through prophets like Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, and Malachi. But in these last days, His Word of truth has been given directly through Jesus, the God-Man and only begotten Son of His love. Jesus is not only God's sacrificial Lamb, but the Father's beloved Son. He is God's anointed King and great High Priest Who was sent according to the order of Melchizedek (King of Peace and High Priest of the Lord).

Moses was the great prophet and revered law-giver who commanded respect and honour from all Israel. He was God's friend and faithful servant who led the Israelites out of Egypt following the first Passover meal, when the angel of death slaughtered the first-born of Egypt. He ushered the stranded nation of Israel across the Red Sea, spoke to God face to face as a man speaks with his friend, and Moses was given the Law directly from the Lord, through the ministration of angels.

Despite the enormously high regard Israel had for Moses, and in spite of the deep respect they felt for the archangel Michael and the angelic hosts of heaven, the writer of Hebrews wanted to impress his readers that Jesus is superior to Moses, greater than all angels, and the final authority to come to man, from God, for Christ was faithful over His own Father's house as a Son. He is the eternally begotten Son, Heir, and Master of it all.

Moses may have been a faithful servant in his work for the Lord, but Christ built everything. He is the Master-Builder Who created heaven and earth. Moses may have presided over a dim shadow of God's House through the erection of the Tabernacle and the institution of the Aaronic priesthood, but Jesus presides over the entire Household and expansive universe as a Son. And He is currently seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high, in the place of honour and great glory.

In this verse, we are directed from the natural to the spiritual and are also reminded that as His spiritual children, WE are the house of God. We are the living stones who are being built up, day by day, into the spiritual Temple of God, and today Jesus Christ is continuing to build His Church, for we are the Body of Christ: "And the gates of hell will not prevail against us."

Hebrews is not simply written for early Jewish Christians to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of Christ's life, death, and Resurrection, or His interconnection with Old Testament Scriptures. It contains vital truth for all born again Christians and reminds us of the importance to mature in the faith, to work the works of God, and to live the sanctified life of a Christian who is walking in spirit and in truth.

However, there are a number of warnings designed to prevent the spiritual believer from suffering the loss of reward, by reverting into a carnal Christianity or legalistic practices, and here we are warned: "We are the Household of God, if we hold fast our confidence and the rejoicing of our hope, firm until the end."

Although this appears to suggest that our eternal salvation depends on US holding fast to the end, this cannot be the case or Christ's finished work on the Cross would be insufficient, and our salvation would depend on US holding fast to the end. Our salvation does not depend on OUR endurance, but our faith in HIM. We are not to have any confidence in the flesh, but are to glory in Christ's completed work on Calvary. "We are saved by grace through faith and not of works (nor by holding fast to the end) lest anyone should boast."

Rather, this verse is connected with rewards and shows that our endurance to the end is an outward, demonstrable proof to others of our already secured position in Christ. Christians are instructed to 'prove all things' and holding fast to the end becomes the outward, verifiable evidence that we are truly God's household. It identifies us as a man or woman that gives honour to the God Who bought us with His precious blood.

How we thank God that we are His household, members of Christ's Body, and that our own, frail body has become a temple of the living God and in-dwelt by His Holy Spirit. May we hold fast to the truth of the book of Hebrews, and not revert back to the rituals and ceremonies that early Jewish Christians were tempted to undertake. May we stand firm on the Word of God and keep ourselves from any carnal cravings or legalistic leanings. May our lives bear witness that we truly are the household of God, by remaining faithful to our life's end, knowing that this will give honour and glory to our Heavenly Lord.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the inspired book of Hebrews and the glorious lessons it contains for our learning. Thank You that I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a member of Christ's Body, and part of the growing Household of God. Thank You for the life and work of Christ and for His faithfulness over His house. Keep me from falling into carnality or any form of legalism and I pray that my confidence in Your Word of truth will hold fast to the end. In Jesus' name, AMEN.