Letter to the Hebrews Volume 161

 The Discipline of Our Heavenly Father Part 3

Hebrews 12:9-10 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. KJV

The writer of Hebrews now declares, describes, and demonstrates how utterly ridiculous it is for any child of God to go about believing that their Father in Heaven is to loving to whip their behind by using the word picture here of any earthly father, as it is written, "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness." (Hebrews 12:9-10) (KJV). The idea here is to show how stubborn, how shameful, and how stupid it would be for any child of God to place Him (Abba) lower than an earthly man who is a father. The writer reminds those new Hebrew Christians back then and we Christians today and of every era and generation how we (when we were children) gave our earthly father's reverence for their discipline to us. The English word 'corrected' is translated by the Greek word paideutēs meaning a trainer, that is, teacher or (by implication) discipliner: - which corrected, instructor. The little English phrase 'we gave them reverence' is translated by the Greek word entrepō meaning to invert, that is, (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect. In other words, we did not despise, or detest, or even disdain their correction or discipline to us because we saw it for what it was, that is, punishment for our own willful waywardness and wrong doing, for we even respected them and regarded them highly. If this is the case with an earthly man who is equally as sinful as we are, then how much higher reverence, regard, and respect must we give to and show to our Holy and Perfect Father in Heaven who loves us infinite times more than our earthly father's ever did or ever could. The English word 'subjection' is translated by the Greek word hupotassō meaning to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto. As Dr. Adrian Rogers said, "When He says to us 'Thou shall not', He is saying don't hurt yourselves and when He says 'Thou shall', He is saying help yourselves to health and happiness."

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 12:9-10, "The Apostle commends a dutiful and submissive behaviour in children towards their earthly parents We gave them reverence, even when they corrected us. It is the duty of children to give the reverence of obedience to the just commands of their parents, and the reverence of submission to their correction when they have been disobedient. Parents have not only authority, but a charge from God, to give their children correction when it is due, and He has commanded children to take such correction well: to be stubborn and discontented under due correction is a double fault; for the correction supposes there has been a fault already committed against the parent's commanding power, and superadds a further fault against his chastening power. Hence, (2.) He recommends humble and submissive behavior towards our Heavenly Father, when under His correction; and this he does by an argument from the less to the greater. [1.] Our earthly fathers are but the fathers of our flesh, but God is the Father of our spirits. Our fathers on earth were instrumental in the production of our bodies, which are but flesh, a mean, mortal, vile thing, formed out of the dust of the earth, as the bodies of the beasts are; and yet as they are curiously wrought, and made parts of our persons, a proper tabernacle for the soul to dwell in and an organ for it to act by, we owe reverence and affection to those who were instrumental in their procreation; but then we must own much more to Him who is the Father of our spirits. Our souls are not of a material substance, not of the most refined sort; they are not ex traduce - by traduction; to affirm it is bad philosophy, and worse divinity: they are the immediate offspring of God, who, after He had formed the body of man out of the earth, breathed into him a vital spirit, and so he became a living soul. [2.] Our earthly parents chastened us for their own pleasure. Sometimes they did it to gratify their passion rather than to reform our manners. This is a weakness the fathers of our flesh are subject to, and this they should carefully watch against; for hereby they dishonour that parental authority which God has put upon them and very much hinder the efficacy of their chastisements. But the Father of our spirits never grieves willingly, nor afflicts the children of men, much less His own children. It is always for our profit; and the advantage He intends us thereby is no less than our being partakers of His holiness; it is to correct and cure those sinful disorders which make us unlike to God, and to improve and to increase those graces which are the image of God in us, that we may be and act more like our Heavenly Father. God loves His children so that He would have them to be as like Himself as can be, and for this end He chastises them when they need it. [3.] The fathers of our flesh corrected us for a few days, in our state of childhood, when minors; and, though we were in that weak and peevish state, we owed them reverence, and when we came to maturity we loved and honoured them the more for it. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, minority, and imperfection, and therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state; when we come to a state of perfection we shall be fully reconciled to all the measures of God's discipline over us now. [4.] God's correction is no condemnation. His children may at first fear lest affliction should come upon that dreadful errand, and we cry, Do not condemn me, but show me wherefore Thou contendest with me, Job 10:2. But this is so far from being the design of God to His own people that He therefore chastens them now that they may not be condemned with the world, 1 Corinthians 11:32. He does it to prevent the death and destruction of their souls, that they may live to God, and be like God, and for ever with Him."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…




 

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 160

 The Discipline of Our Heavenly Father Part 2

Hebrews 12:7-8 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. KJV Note: CEV=Contemporay English Version

Next the writer of Hebrews gives a clear picture that surely everyone in the human race can understand. The writer points to the earthly father who has children and who disciplines his own children when they do wrong in order to correct them and keep them from bringing harm to themselves and to others. As any earthly parent can attest to, children are prone to rebellion and it is not a loving parent who allows their child to do whatever they please and not to follow after the rules, regulations, and requirements of the parents who brought them into this world. The Book of Proverbs declares this about children, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." (Proverbs 22:15) (KJV), as well as this concerning children, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." (Proverbs 29:15) (KJV). If the Giver of all this wisdom the Lord God/Adonai/Elohim wants to see any parent take heed of, then surely He will follow His own Divine wisdom and take the rod to His born again sons and daughters when they stray from His Will found in His Word (the Bible). This reality has nothing to do with someones warped, wayward, or wrong view of who the One True God truly is, for many well meaning people (who are wrong) think that there is no way that a loving God will send 'good people' to hell just because they don't believe in Jesus Christ, i.e, good Muslims, good Buddhist, good Hindus, good Spiritualists, or good whatever (you fill in the blank), but all through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the Acts of the Apostles and the New Testament (Romans through Jude), as well as the Book of Revelations the Lord Jesus Christ emphatically says that He will do just that for every soul that has not truly come to Him alone for forgiveness of sins. Therefore, there are just as many (well meaning Christians) who think that every harsh, hurtful, and harmful thing that comes to them is from the devil, when in fact in many cases it is the chastening hand of a loving Father in Heaven to His rebellious sons and daughters to turn them back to the truth of His Word (the Bible).

Remember again how often the Lord God/Elohim allowed the Hebrew people to go into captivity to other Nations who worshipped the devil, so it is certain that our Heavenly Father would allow the devil and his demons and his two-legged devil's attacks to sometimes break through His Protection for our rebuke and correction for our own sinful waywardness, therefore, we read these next words from the writer of Hebrews, "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:7-8) (KJV). All of our acts of sin and rebellion disregarding our Heavenly Father's Word (the Bible) brings about His discipline to correct us, but never to condemn us. The English word 'dealeth' is translated by the Greek word prospherō meaning to bear towards, that is, lead to, tender (especially to God), treat: - bring (to, unto), deal with; often to bring an offering to the altar; in the passive voice with the dative, to be born toward one; hence, to attack, assail, deal with, behave toward. The English word 'bastards' is translated by the Greek word nothos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning a spurious or illegitimate son: - bastard/fake/phony. This is what every spiritual or religious person is if they have never been born again, as it is written, "Jesus replied, I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom! Nicodemus asked, How can a grown man ever be born a second time? Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God. Don't be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. Only God's Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going, so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8) (CEV). In other words, God the Father causing pain and affliction (all for our betterment) to His born again sons and daughters is proof or evidence or validation that we belong to Him. God the Father is not disciplining the devil's children because they are not His. What earthly father goes to another father's children and whips them with his belt when they do wrong? None, he lets them alone to do whatsoever they please, it is none of his business.

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 12:7-8, "That is, if you undergo, or are called to experience correction. It does not mean here, 'if you endure it patiently; or if you bear up under it;' but 'if you are chastised or corrected by God.' The affirmation does not relate to the manner of bearing it, but to the fact that we are disciplined. He does not cast you off and regard you as if you were in no way related to Him. That is, He evinces toward His son the care which shows that He sustains the relation of a Father. If he deserves correction, He corrects him; and He aims by all proper means to exhibit the appropriate care and character of a Father. And as we receive such attention from an earthly parent, we ought to expect to receive similar notice from our Father in Heaven. If you never meet with anything that is adapted to correct your faults; to subdue your temper; to chide your wanderings, it would prove that you were in the condition of illegitimate children - cast off and disregarded by their father. Whereof all are partakers - All who are the true children of God. Then are ye bastards, and not sons - The reference here is to the neglect with which such children are treated, and to the general want of care and discipline over them: 'Lost in the world’s wide range; enjoin’d no aim, Prescrib’d no duty, and assign’d no name.' Savage. In the English law, a bastard is termed 'nullius filius.' Illegitimate children are usually abandoned by their father. The care of them is left to the mother, and the father endeavors to avoid all responsibility, and usually to be concealed and unknown. His own child he does not wish to recognize; he neither provides for him; nor instructs him; nor governs him; nor disciplines him. A father, who is worthy of the name, will do all these things. So Paul says it is with Christians. God has not cast them off. In every way He evinces toward them the character of a Father. And if it should be that they passed along through life without any occurrence that would indicate the paternal care and attention designed to correct their faults, it would show that they never had been His children, but - were cast off and wholly disregarded. This is a beautiful argument; and we should receive every affliction as full proof that we are not forgotten by the High and Holy One who condescends to sustain to us the character, and to evince toward us, in our wanderings, the watchful care of a Father."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 159

 The Discipline of Our Heavenly Father Part 1

Hebrews 12:5-6 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. KJV

The writer of Hebrews now turns to an area that many of us do not want to think about or for many they still refuse to believe that our Heavenly Father does discipline or chasten His adopted sons and daughters. Well, despite any of those two ways of thinking, the writer of Hebrews now reminds us with clear language that He does chasten His true sons and daughters when we turn aside from Him and His ways and follow after 'vain things' (as the Prophet Samuel wrote in 1 Samuel 12:20-25 as we documented in Volume 158), as it is written here, "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:" (Hebrews 12:5) (KJV). The little English phrase 'ye have forgotten' is translated by the Greek word eklanthanomai (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to be utterly oblivious of: - forget. Those new Hebrew Christians back then whom the writer of Hebrews was first writing these words to had allowed themselves to forget about all the times the Lord God allowed the Hebrew people to go into captivity to other Nations because of their own turning to that which displeased Adonai/Elohim/Jehovah and only when they truly cried out to Him (with a change in mind, that is, repentance) did He then deliver them from their oppression, for it was His chastening Hand to His people the Hebrew/Jewish Nation. So, does He chasten any of His sons or daughters now and in every era and generation since the Cross of Christ. The English word 'despise' is translated by the Greek word oligōreō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to have little regard for, that is, to disesteem: - despise. The English word 'chastening' is translated by the Greek word paideia meaning tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture. The rather long English phrase 'when thou art rebuked' is translated by the Greek word elegchō meaning to confute, admonish: - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. In other words, we the sons and daughters of God the Father are never to be unmindful or unaware that our sinful actions and behavior before our Father in Heaven are not being done by us without His knowledge or will they be done without His disciplinary correction to us to turn us back to Him. We should not ever hold Him in contempt or be disrespectful to Him because of our just chastening or chastisement for our rebellion, but instead we must welcome His conviction, His rebuke, and His admonishment to us because it is done only from His love to us and for us as the writer of Hebrews declares with these words, "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." (Hebrews 12:6) (KJV). The English word 'chasteneth' is translated by the Greek word paideuō meaning to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment): - instruct, teach. The English word 'scourgeth' is translated by the Greek word mastigoō meaning to flog, that is, beat severely with a whip or rod (literally or figuratively): - scourge. The little English phrase 'He receiveth' is translated by the Greek word paradechomai meaning to accept near, that is, admit or (by implication) delight in: - receive. In other words, those of us who are near and dear to our Father in Heaven by virture of the Blood of Jesus Christ are trained up by Him, instructed by Him, and taught by Him through the Holy Spirit and His Word the Bible, but when we stray from His way then all of the afflictions allowed by our Heavenly Father to come to us are also His loving rebukes/chastening/scourging of our own waywardness and sin in order to bring us back to the truth.

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 12:5-6, "He argues from the peculiar and gracious nature of those sufferings that befall the people of God. Though their enemies and persecutors may be the instruments of inflicting such sufferings on them, yet they are divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to serve by all; of this he has given them due notice, and they should not forget it, Hebrews 12:5. Observe, Those afflictions which may be truly persecution as far as men are concerned in them are Fatherly rebukes and chastisements as far as God is concerned in them. Persecution for religion is sometimes a correction and rebuke for the sins of professors of religion. Men persecute them because they are religious; God chastises them because they are not more so: men persecute them because they will not give up their profession; God chastises them because they have not lived up to their profession. God has directed His people how they ought to behave themselves under all their afflictions; they must avoid the extremes that many run into. (1.) They must not despise the chastening of the Lord; they must not make light of afflictions, and be stupid and insensible under them, for they are the Hand and Rod of God, and His rebukes for sin. Those who make light of affliction make light of God and make light of sin. (2.) They must not faint when they are rebuked; they must not despond and sink under their trial, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience. (3.) If they run into either of these extremes, it is a sign they have forgotten their Heavenly Father's advice and exhortation, which He has given them in true and tender affection. Afflictions, rightly endured, though they may be the fruits of God's displeasure, are yet proofs of His Paternal love to His people and care for them Hebrews 12:6: Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. Observe, (1.) The best of God's children need chastisement. They have their faults and follies, which need to be corrected. (2.) Though God may let others alone in their sins, He will correct sin in His own children; they are of His family, and shall not escape His rebukes when they want them. (3.) In this He acts as becomes a Father, and treats them like children; no wise and good father will wink at faults in his own children as he would in others; his relation and his affections oblige him to take more notice of the faults of his own children than those of others."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 158

 Do Not Grow Weary (Christian)

Hebrews 12:3-4 For consider Him (Jesus Christ) who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. NKJV

We just read and were reminded how our Lord Jesus Christ endured such great sufferings in His physical human Body He so willingly placed Himself into for us, that is, we sinners who have now become His brethren and adopted sons and daughters of God the Father. Sin was the reason that He did such and it was not any sin of His, but all of our sins that He placed upon Himself and carried to the Cross and made each one of us acceptable to our Father in Heaven now. Our Lord Jesus Christ was fully Man during His 33 years on the earth, yet at the very same time He was still fully God. However, in order to make the sin of the first man (Adam) right in heaven for all of humanity that came from Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ lived a life of faith walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Death came to mankind because of Adam's sin and not only physical death, but spiritual death which separated mankind from God. So, the first man (Adam) did not fulfill the will of God on the earth, however, the last Man (Christ) did fulfill the will of God on the earth by living a sinless perfect life as Man walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:14). He (Christ) never sinned in words spoken or thoughts of sin and evil or deeds and actions that were sin. Therefore, when He took the sin of the world upon Himself and died the physical death and allowed His human spirit to return back to God the Father in heaven, all of my sin debt to God the Father was paid in full by Him for me and for each and every one of you who have come to Him at the foot of His Cross and been covered by His Blood shed there for us. So, this is why the writer of Hebrews is now telling those new Hebrew Christians back then (and this is the same word to all Christians now and of every era and generation since Christ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead) to not grow weary in their/our walk of faith, for we have not endured such emotional and spiritual anguish that our Lord Jesus did within His human body, as it is written here, "For consider Him (Jesus Christ) who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Hebrews 12:3) (NKJV). The English word 'consider' is translated by the Greek word analogizomai (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) it means to estimate, that is, (figuratively) contemplate: - consider. The English word 'endured' is translated by the Greek word hupomenō meaning to stay under (behind), that is, remain; figuratively to undergo, that is, bear trials, have fortitude, persevere: - abide, endure, take patiently, suffer, tarry behind. The English word 'contradiction' (used in the KJV) is translated by the NKJV with the word 'hostility' which is a clearer picture of what our Lord Jesus Christ encountered during His earthly ministry, that is, when He made Himself known to the Hebrew/Jewish religious rulers, who were sinners, yet they did not see themselves in that manner.

The writer of Hebrews was telling those new Hebrew Christians then and us now that we should meditate on or let our minds estimate how much extreme distress of Christ Body and mind was happening within Him as He faced such harassment, hostility, and hatred from the very people that He loved so deeply and was there to save them not only from the oppression of the Romans, but from the one behind such oppression (the devil) and give them a life in heaven with Him eternally (Matthew 23:37-39). Despite it all He persevered and took all of the hostility patiently bearing every trial and stayin under submission to the Father and abiding in the Father's will to go to the Cross and die for the sins of these very people who treated Him like dirt. Thinking intently and deeply about this reality should keep us from losing interest or becoming even bored and discouraged or even losing our resolve to follow Him acknowledging always our faith in Him. This entire concept can be summed up very well by these words spoken by the Prophet Samuel in his farewell address to the Hebrew people, "And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the LORD will not forsake His people for His great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you His people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king." (1 Samuel 12:20-25) (KJV).

The writer of Hebrews tells the new Hebrew believers then and we believers today and of every era and generation how awful and displeasing to our Lord Jesus Christ it is when any of us complain about the sin that (as he put it earlier) 'which doth so easily beset us' (Hebrews 12:1) when none of us ever has nor ever will fight against our own sin to the point of shedding blood, as it is written here, "You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin." (Hebrews 12:4) (NKJV). The devil's temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ as documented in Matthew 4:1-11 was not the only time He was tempted by him, for He endured these attacks from the devil every day that He encountered any of the Hebrew religious rulers who always were trying to get Him  to contradict the Word of God that they thought they knew better than Him (not realizing or understanding that He was God in their presence). The English word 'striving' is translated by the Greek word antagōnizomai (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to struggle against (figuratively), ('antagonize'): - strive against. I believe that the writer of Hebrews is here referring to the time on the Mount of Olives when our Lord Jesus Christ was in prayer to God the Father, as it written with these words, "And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him. And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." (Luke 22:39-46) (KJV). None of us have ever, nor will any of us ever struggle, strain, and strive against sin with this intensity. It has been proven by medical Doctors that there is a level of stress and strain that will produce blood from the human flesh pours like drops of sweat come when physical exertion takes place. In the case of our Lord Jesus Christ emotional and spiritual exertion was occuring against not wanting to have the filthy stain of human sin placed upon Him and also the fact that this would cause Him to be separated from the Father for the first and only time in eternity.

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 12:4, "He owns that they had suffered much, they had been striving to an agony against sin. Here, (1.) The cause of the conflict was sin, and to be engaged against sin is to fight in a good cause, for sin is the worst enemy both to God and man. Our spiritual warfare is both honourable and necessary; for we are only defending ourselves against that which would destroy us, if it should get the victory over us; we fight for ourselves, for our lives, and therefore ought to be patient and resolute. (2.) Every Christian is enlisted under Christ's banner, to strive against sin, against sinful doctrines, sinful practices, and sinful habits and customs, both in himself and in others." Here also is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of Hebrews 12:4, "And so, the first field on which every Christian is to win his spurs, to prove his prowess, and to exercise his strength is the field within, where the lists are very narrow, and where self wages war against self in daily conflict. Every man of us carries his own worst enemy inside his own waistcoat. We have all lusts, passions, inclinations, desires, faults, vices, meannesses, selfishnesses, indolences, - a whole host of evils lying there like a nest of vipers within us, and our first task and our lifelong task, is to take the sting and the poison out of these, and to throttle them and to east them out."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 157

 Jesus Christ is the Author & Finisher of our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God. KJV

The fact that our Christian life here on the earth is a race seems to be the best metaphor that could be used to describe it. A race is not complete until the one running in it reaches the finish line and unlike any earthly race, whether it be race cars, speed boats, or human runners where the finish line is known and in some cases even seen by the participants, however, our race of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ could be as short as hours for some, weeks for some, months for others, and even many years for others. This reality is because our race of faith only begins when each sinner is born again and that begins our race of faith in Christ from that moment on until our Lord Jesus Christ calls us home to heaven to be with Him forever. So, we see that after telling these newly born again Hebrew believers (as well as all we believers today and of every era and generation) what they/we should be doing to run our race well, the writer of Hebrews now tells them/us where our full focal point should be and that being our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written here, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) (KJV). The English word 'Looking' that begins this verse of Scripture is translated by the Greek word aphoraō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to consider attentively. The Lord God/Elohim/Adonai/Jehovah/YAWEH spoke these words through the Prophet Isaiah speaking of Himself, "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." (Isaiah 45:22-23) (KJV). Note: "The idea that some human beings hold that God (if He exist) must not be in control of all things, for why would He (a loving God) allow so much evil to begin and continue upon the earth is not at all understanding of the way God created man, not as an android or robot, but as a free thinking being with 'free will' to choose Him or to reject Him and these Words He spoke through His Prophet Isaiah affirms that He will save any and every human sinner who bows their knee and looks to Him, but at the same time even those who resist, refuse, and reject Him will bow their knee to Him even as they are ushered into eternal damnation in hell." God the Son (our Lord Jesus Christ) laid aside all of His grandness, greatness, and glory to make Himself the same as His brethren, as it is written here by this same writer of Hebrews earlier, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:14-17) (KJV). The English word 'author' is translated by the Greek word archēgos meaning a chief leader: - author, captain, prince. The English word 'finisher' is translated by the Greek word teleiōtēs (used this one time in the entire New Testament) meaning a completer, that is, consummater: - perfecter, finisher. Note: "Jesus Christ our Lord (the Word) was invisible just as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, as it is written, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' (John 1:1) (KJV); 'And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.' (John 1:14) (KJV), but for we sinners He put on human flesh (that He Himself designed and created) in order to save us from the original sin of the first man Adam (passed on to all humanity that came from him) and its consequence of eternal death, destruction, and damnation in hell. He now forevermore has a human body (glorified human body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39), no more blood) and we his adopted sons and daughters will be made just like Him when He returns for each one of us that He personally has redeemed by His shed Blood, as it is written, 'Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.' (1 John 3:1-2) (KJV)." When the writer of Hebrews declares, 'who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame', he means this according to Vincent's Word Studies, "The joy was the full, divine beatitude of His preincarnate life in the bosom of the Father; the glory which He had with God before the world was. In exchange for this He accepted the Cross and the blame. The contrast is designed between the struggle which, for the present, is alone set before the readers (Hebrews 12:1), and the joy which was already present to Christ. The heroic character of His faith appears in His renouncing a joy already in possession in exchange for shame and death." Note: "The consummation of His work of redemption has now placed Him (as Man) at the position of Honor seated at the Right Hand of God the Father. The fact and reality that as God the Son (He Jesus Christ) is equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, but as the God/Man, the Man side of Him submits Himself to the authority of God the Father as Head as He (Christ) sits on a Throne of Grace ready and willing to give grace to the unbelievers to make them into believers and to keep on giving grace to every believer for what ever we need it for in our sojourn while we are still on this earth."

Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say of Hebrews 12:2, "Our Lord is hero very emphatically set in a place by Himself apart from all that cloud of witnesses, who in their measure are held forth as noble examples of faith. All these, the greatest names of old, are in one class, and He stands above them in a class of which He is the only member. There we see no other man save Jesus only. Whatever be the inference from that fact, the fact itself is plain. He is something to all the fighters in the lists which none of these are. Our eyes may profitably dwell on them, but we have to look higher than their serene seats, even to His throne, and the relation between us and Him is altogether unlike that which binds us to the holiest of these. The names He bears in this context are noteworthy, ‘the author and finisher of faith,’ the former being the same word which, in Acts 3:15, is rendered ‘prince’ (of life), and in this Epistle (Hebrews 2:10), ‘captain’ (of salvation). Its meaning may perhaps be best given as ‘leader.’ All these others are the long files of the great army, but Christ is the Commander of the whole array. ‘As Captain of the Lord’s host am I come up, said the man with the drawn sword, who stood before Joshua as he brooded outside the walls of Jericho over his task, and that armed Angel of the Lord was He who, in the fulness of time, took our humanity that He might lead the many sons to glory. Not in order of time, but by the precedence of nature, is He the Leader and Lord of all who live by faith. He is also the finisher, or more properly the perfecter of faith, inasmuch as He in His own life has shown it in its perfect form and power; inasmuch also as He gives to each of us, if we will have it, grace to perfect it in our lives; and inasmuch as, finally, He crowns and rewards it at last. One more remark as to the force of the language here may be allowed. The word rendered ‘looking’ is an emphatic compound, and if full force be given to both its elements, we might read it ‘looking away,’ that is, turning our eyes from all other, even the grandest of these grand witnesses, to gaze on Christ alone. All these details serve to bring out the unique position which our Lord holds, and the attitude in which we should stand to Him. Christ is the one perfect example of faith. We are familiar with the rest of His perfect example in regard to other graces of the Christian character, but we dwell less frequently than we ought on Him as having Himself lived a life of faith. Many orthodox believers so believe in Christ’s divinity as to weaken their sense of the reality of His Manhood, just as, on the other hand, a vivid apprehension of His Manhood obscures to many the rays of His Divinity. We lose much by not making very real to our minds that Jesus lived His earthly life by faith, that for Him as for us dependence on God, and humble confidence in Him, were the secret of peace, and the spring of power. This very Epistle, in another place, quotes the words of the psalm, ‘I will put my trust in Him,’ as the very inmost expression of Christ’s life, and as one of the ways in which He proves His brotherhood with us. He, too, knows what it is to hang on God; and is not only in His Divine Nature the object, but in His true Manhood the pattern of our faith. And His pattern is perfect. In all others, even the loveliest of saints and most heroic of martyrs, the gem is marred by many a streak of baser material, but in Him is the one ‘entire and perfect chrysolite.’ That faith never faltered, never turned its gaze from the things not seen, never slackened its grasp of the things hoped, nor degenerated into self-pleasing, nor changed its attitude of meek submission. We may look to others for examples, but they will all be sometimes warnings as well, only to Jesus we may look continually and find uusullied purity and perfect faith. He is more than example. He gives us power to copy His fair pattern. The influence of heroic, saintly lives may be depressing as well as encouraging. Despondency often creeps over us when we think of them. It is not models that we want, for we all know well enough what we ought to be, and an example of supreme excellence in morals or religion may be as hurtful as the unapproachable superiority of Shake-spears or Raphael may to a young aspirant. Perfect patterns will not save the world. They do not get themselves copied. What we want is not the knowledge of what we ought to be, but the will and the power to be it. And that we get from Christ, and from Him alone. He stretches out His hand to hold us up in our poor struggles. His grace and His peace come into our hearts, Looking to Him, His Spirit enters our spirits, and we live, yet not we, but Christ liveth in us. Models will help us little. They stand there like statues on their pedestals, pure marble loveliness; but in Christ the marble becomes flesh, and the lovely perfection has a heart to pity and a strong hand stretched out to help. So let us look away from all others, who can only give us example, to Him who can give us strength. Turn from the circling thrones to the imperial throne in the centre. We are more closely bound to Him who sits on it than to them. Look away from the cloud of witnesses to the sun of uls, from whom, gazing, we receive warmth and light and life. They may teach us to fight, but He fights in us. They are patterns of faith. So is He, but He is also its object and its giver. Christ is the imperial Rewarder of faith. At the last He will give the full possession of all which it has looked and hoped for, and will lift it into the nobler form in which, even in heaven, we shall live by faith. In that region where struggles cease, and sense and sight no longer lead astray, and we behold Him as He is, faith still abides, as conscious dependence and happy trust. It is perfected in manner, measure, and reward. And Christ is the giver of all that perfects it. Let us, then, turn away our eyes from all beside, and look to Christ. He is the Reward as well as the Rewarder of our faith. As we look to Him we shall gain power for the fight, and victory and the crown. The gladiators in the arena lowered their swords to the emperor, before they fought, with the grim greeting ‘Hail, Caesar! the dying salute thee.’ So, in happier fashion, our Lord, who has Himself fought in the lists where we now strive. Then we shall have strength for the conflict, and when the conflict is drawing to its end and all else swims before our sight, and the din grows faint in our ears, we shall close our eyes in peace; and when we open them again, lo! the bloody field, and the broken sword, and the battered helm, have all disappeared, and we sit, crowned, and palm-bearing, at His side, hailed as victors, and lapped in sweetest rest for ever more!"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 156

 Our Great Cloud of Witnesses of Enduring Faith

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, KJV

The many cloud of witnesses that the writer of Hebrews now speaks about are those very same persons that he just named for us in the previous Chapter 11 of this Letter to the Hebrews. We born again believers who have witnessed the Great Promise of God the Father have the 'some better thing for us' (Hebrews 11:40) and that is, that we are witnesses to the death, buriel, and resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ and because we have been born again by Him, we have the witness of the Holy Spirit of God within each and everyone of us. This reality can still evade us at times because of the world, the flesh, and the devil constantly gnawing at us, groping at us, and growling at us always as we make our way to our heavenly home in this pilgrimage and sojourn we are on now that we have been born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Therefore, the writer of Hebrews wanted those newly born again Hebrew believers (as well as all of we believers today and in every era and generation after them) to realize, recognize, and remember those who lived before us who walked with the Lord God/Elohim/Adonai/Jehovah/YAWEH by faith all of their days on the earth as great witnesses to us, as the writer of Hebrews declares with these words, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1) (KJV). Not only are those believers listed in Chapter 11 of Hebrews for us witnesses on how we too should live a life of enduring faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, but any person that we have known in our earthly lives who we witness live a life devoted to faith in God despite all of the ups and downs they went through during their earthly lives, that could be someones relatives or friends or any believer's life (we have read about from before our time on the earth) such as Charles Spurgen or Adrian Rogers or Adam Clarke or Matthew Henry or John Wesley. When the writer of Hebrews says, 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses', he means that these believers are now in heaven, but they have left for us down here on the earth a witness/testimony of lives of enduring faith and examples of how we too can 'walk by faith and not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7). The writer does not mean that they are looking down upon us from heaven now as so many people seem to believe. Heaven is a place absent of spiritual battles against the world (seeing that they are now no longer in the world but in heaven), the flesh (seeing that they are now absent from their bodies which were permeated with sin and by sin), and the devil (seeing that the devil has no longer any way of accusing them of sin because they are sinless now (Revelation 12:10) or attacking them in heaven). Heaven would not be heaven if those who are there could see the continued treachery, trials, terror, and turmoil we who love our Lord Jesus Christ still endure as we continue our sojourn on the earth, for they witness none of this evil that continues down here, however, Heavenly Angels do witness all that we endure, so when someone has a vision or visitation from a dead loved one, it could be a heavenly message sent to that person from God the Father, our Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through a Heavenly Angel to encourage and strengthen the person in a difficult time. However, let us remember that the devil can and does masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), therefore always test any such occurance and what was spoken with the Word of God. When the writer of Hebrews declares, 'let us lay aside every weight', he means we should put away or put down things in this life that hold us back from doing what our Lord and Savior has commanded each and every one of us to do as individuals (Ephesians 4:11) for the entire Body of Christ which is His Kingdom. The little English phrase 'let us lay aside' is translated by the Greek word apotithēmi which means to put away (literally or figuratively): - cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off). The English word 'weight' is translated by the Greek word ogkos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning a mass (as bending or bulging by its load), that is, burden (hindrance): - weight. The track athletes like Allyson Felix and Sydney McLaughlin wear the lightest clothing and shoes they can in order to maximize their speed and lay aside any gear that would weigh them down and slow down their running time. So must we brothers and sisters in Christ lay aside things that will slow down our growth in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can run the race of faith (1 Corinthians 9:24) that we may obtain our crowns to lay at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the writer of Hebrews declares, 'the sin which doth so easily beset us', he means the sin/sins that creep up into our lives even after our new birth more than others. I used drugs for three (3) decades (half my earthly life so far), yet when Christ came into my life, He broke that chain away from me and it has not been back into my life now for over 17 years (same with drinking alcohol). However, the sin of looking upon, leering at, and lusting after women has not been as easily broken from me as the desire to drink alcohol and do drugs. Also, I use to use profanity as my regular and common/conversation speaking practice and occassionally some of those old words will rear their ugly heads and raise up from my old man out of my mouth. With some people it may be gossip or lying or idolatry, for it is different with each born again son and daughter of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'which doth so easily beset' is translated by the Greek word euperistatos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning well standing around, that is, (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction (figuratively of sin in general): - which doth so easily beset. 'Hence, of a sin which readily or easily encircles and entangles the Christian runner, like a long, loose robe clinging to his limbs. Beset is a good rendering, meaning to surround.' (Vincent's Word Studies)

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 12:1, "In view of what has been said in the previous chapter. The Apostle represents those to whom he had referred in the previous chapter, as looking on to witness the efforts which Christians make, and the manner in which they live. There is allusion here, doubtless, to the ancient games. A great multitude of spectators usually occupied the circular seats in the amphitheater, from which they could easily behold the combatants; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In like manner, the Apostle represents Christians as encompassed with the multitude of worthies to whom he had referred in the previous chapter. It cannot be fairly inferred from this that he means to say that all those ancient worthies were actually looking at the conduct of Christians, and saw their conflicts. It is a figurative representation, such as is common, and means that we ought to act as if they were in sight, and cheered us on. How far the spirits of the just who are departed from this world are permitted to behold what is done on earth - if at all - is not revealed in the Scriptures. The phrase, 'a cloud of witnesses,' means many witnesses, or a number so great that they seem to be a cloud. The comparison of a multitude of persons to a cloud is common in the classic writers. The word rendered 'weight' - ὄγκον ogkon - means what is crooked or hooked, and thence any thing that is attached or suspended by a hook that is, by its whole weight, and hence means weight. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The word is often used in the classic writers in the sense of swelling, tumour, pride. Its usual meaning is that of weight or burden, and there is allusion here, doubtless, to the runners in the games who were careful not to encumber themselves with anything that was heavy. Hence, their clothes were so made as not to impede their running, and hence, they were careful in their training not to overburden themselves with food, and in every way to remove what would be an impediment or hindrance. As applied to the racers it does not mean that they began to run with anything like a burden, and then threw it away - as persons sometimes aid their jumping by taking a stone in their hands to acquire increased momentum - but that they were careful not to allow anything that would be a weight or an encumbrance. As applied to Christians it means that they should remove all which would obstruct their progress in the Christian course. Thus, it is fair to apply it to whatever would be an impediment in our efforts to win the crown of life. It is not the same thing in all persons. In one it may be pride; in another vanity; in another worldliness; in another a violent and almost ungovernable temper; in another a corrupt imagination; in another a heavy, leaden, insensible heart; in another some improper and unholy attachment. Whatever it may be, we are exhorted to lay it aside, and this general direction may be applied to anything which prevents our making the highest possible attainment in the divine life. Some persons would make much more progress if they would throw away many of their personal ornaments; some, if they would disencumber themselves of the heavy weight of gold which they are endeavoring to carry with them. So some very light objects, in themselves considered, become material encumbrances. Even a feather or a ring - such may be the fondness for these toys - may become such a weight that they will never make much progress toward the prize. The word which is here rendered easily beset' - εὐπερίστατον euperistaton - 'euperistaton' - does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It properly means, 'standing well around;' and hence, denotes what is near, or at hand, or readily occurring. So Chrysostom explains it. Passow defines it as meaning 'easy to encircle.' Tyndale renders it 'the sin that hangeth on us.' Theodoret and others explain the word as if derived from περίστασις peristasis - a word which sometimes means affliction, peril - and hence, regard it as denoting what is full of peril, or the sin which so easily subjects one to calamity. Bloomfield supposes, in accordance with the opinion of Grotius, Crellius, Kype, Kuinoel, and others, that it means 'the sin which especially winds around us, and hinders our course,' with allusion to the long Oriental garments. According to this, the meaning would be, that as a runner would be careful not to encumber himself with a garment which would be apt to wind around his legs in running, and hinder him, so it should be with the Christian, who especially ought to lay aside everything which resembles this; that is, all sin, which must impede his course. The former of these interpretations, however, is most commonly adopted, and best agrees with the established sense of the word. It will then mean that we are to lay aside every encumbrance, particularly or especially - for so the word καὶ kai 'and,' should be rendered here 'the sins to which we are most exposed.' Such sins are appropriately called 'easily besetting sins.' They are those to which we are particularly liable. They are such sins as the following: (1) Those to which we are particularly exposed by our natural temperament, or disposition. In some this is pride, in others indolence, or gaiety, or levity, or avarice, or ambition, or sensuality. (2) Those in which we freely indulged before we became Christians. They will be likely to return with power, and we are far more likely from the laws of association, to fall into them than into any other. Thus, a man who has been intemperate is in special danger from that quarter; a man who has been an infidel, is in special danger of scepticism: one who has been avaricious, proud, frivolous, or ambitious, is in special danger, even after conversion, of again committing these sins. (3) Sins to which we are exposed by our profession, by our relations to others, or by our situation in life. They whose condition will entitle them to associate with what are regarded as the more elevated classes of society, are in special danger of indulging in the methods of living, and of amusement that are common among them; they who are prospered in the world are in danger of losing the simplicity and spirituality of their religion; they who hold a civil office are in danger of becoming mere politicians, and of losing the very form and substance of piety. (4) Sins to which we are exposed from some special weakness in our character. On some points we may be in no danger. We may be constitutionally so firm as not to be especially liable to certain forms of sin. But every man has one or more weak points in his character; and it is there that he is particularly exposed. A bow may be in the main very strong. All along its length there may be no danger of its giving way - save at one place where it has been made too thin, or where the material was defective - and if it ever breaks, it will of course be at that point. That is the point, therefore, which needs to be guarded and strengthened. So in reference to character. There is always some weak point which needs specially to be guarded, and our principal danger is there. Self-knowledge, so necessary in leading a holy life, consists much in searching out those weak points of character where we are most exposed; and our progress in the Christian course will be determined much by the fidelity with which we guard and strengthen them. The word rendered 'patience' rather means in this place, perseverance. We are to run the race without allowing ourselves to be hindered by any obstructions, and without giving out or fainting in the way. Encouraged by the example of the multitudes who have run the same race before us, and who are now looking out upon us from heaven, where they dwell, we are to persevere as they did to the end."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 155

 Overcoming Faith Part 13

Hebrews 11:39-40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. KJV

We have been reminded of some extra ordinary acts of victory in war, resurrections of human life from death, extreme bravery shown  even when outnumbered by the Satanic enemy, ability to endure extreme sufferings, ability to kill their enemies with extreme prejudice, the multiplying of resources from nothing, and many other acts that were too numerous to list that occured during the Old Testament days of the Elders/Patriarchs all done with the Power of the Lord God/Elohim/Adonai/Jehovah/Jesus Christ working in them and through them by faith. However, the writer of Hebrews reminds us of still one more fact that make these acts of faith much more remarkable to we Christians who are followers of our Lord Jesus Christ in this time and era and that is they never received or saw the Promise of the Messiah/the Christ come in the flesh to the earth in any of their lifetimes, not even did Moses or Abraham, even though Abraham did see the Angel of the Lord appear to him on one occassion and speak to him in human form, as it is written for us with these words, "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said." (Genesis 18:1-5) (KJV).  Yet despite this one time appearance none of them ever saw Jesus Christ come in the flesh to the earth to die for the sins of the world, as the writer of Hebrews declares it with these words, "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:" (Hebrews 11:39) (KJV). Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary had to say of Hebrews 11:39, "All these sturdy men of faith have had witness borne to them in Scripture. This honour they won from time to time, as the Spirit of Christ, which was in the Prophets, saw fit to encourage the people of God on earth by their example. Are we forbidden to suppose that this witness to their faith gladdened their own glorified spirits, and calmed their eager expectation of the day when the promise would be fulfilled? For, after all, their reward was not the testimony of Scripture, but their own perfection. Now this perfection is described through out the Epistle as a priestly consecration. It expresses fitness for entering into immediate communion with God. This was the final fulfilment of the promise. This was the blessing which the saints under the Old Covenant had not obtained. The way of the holiest had not yet been opened. Consequently their faith consisted essentially in endurance. None of these received the promise, but patiently waited. This is inferred concerning them from the testimony of Scripture that they believed. Their faith must have manifested itself in this form,--endurance."

As for those of us who have been born after the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we have seen the Promise of God the Father fulfilled upon the earth through the Cross of Christ and He is speaking to us only through and by Him, as it is written by this same writer of Hebrews at the very beginning of this book, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 11:1-4) (KJV). The writer of Hebrews reminds us of this reality with these last words in Chapter 11, "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:40) (KJV). The fact that it is we Christians who have borne witness to the Cross of Christ does not mean that Samson, or Gideon, or Barak or Jephthah, or any of the Old Testament saints were less worthy than we are, but only that it is the will of God who is born when, where, and why concerning the time in human history because it is His Story, that is, God's that is being written throughout time. These words from Robertson's Word Pictures best detailed this truth for us, "But this glorious and gracious purpose (foresight) of God is not due to any special merit in us. It is simply the fulness of the time in God’s dispensation of grace of which we are the beneficiaries. But all the same and all the more (noblesse oblige), we should prove worthy of our heritage and of God’s goodness to us and be loyal to Christ." Here also is what Adam Clarke had to say of Hebrews 11:40, "This is the dispensation of the Gospel, with all the privileges and advantages it confers. Believers before the flood, after the flood, under the law, and since the law, make but one Church. The Gospel dispensation is the last, and the Church cannot be considered as complete till the believers under all dispensations are gathered together. As the Gospel is the last dispensation, the preceding believers cannot be consummated even in glory till the Gospel Church arrive in the heaven of heavens. There are a great variety of meanings put on this place, but the above seems the most simple and consistent. See Revelation 6:11. 'White robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.' This time, and its blessings, are now upon the wing.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

Letter to the Hebrews Volume 154

 Overcoming Faith Part 12

Hebrews 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. KJV

The Prophets of old were as far away from what we see today celebrated as prophets of God who are raised up (many) as above normal believers in the Lord God/Elohim/Adonai/Jehovah/Christ Jesus our Lord and treated as some sort of Christian royalty with their $5,000 suits and private jets and huge mansions, where as those faithful true Prophets of old their rewards were as it is written here in continued detail by our writer of Hebrews, "(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11:38) (KJV). Those true Prophets of Adonai (like Isaiah) whom we detailed in Volume 153 were hunted like Caribou and Elk being hunted down by wolves and devoured. Just like those animals, those true Prophets of old had no rest, for they were always and at all times in fear of their very lives, not being celebrated and rewarded with popular, pleasant, and plush lives. There was no time for them that they did not require awareness, alertness, and alarm. However, Elohim sees all of His faithful followers then as well as now. David, before he physically took the Throne in the place of Saul was hunted by him for a span of 13 years. Saul wanted to kill David so that he could continue his reign as king despite having been rejected by Jehovah, as it is written here, "And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?" (1 Samuel 21:10-15) (KJV).

Although David had already been annoited king of Israel, he was not yet able to physically take over the Throne until the Lord God had removed Saul completely out of the way through his death. David became one who 'wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth' (Hebrews 11:38) to keep himself alive from being killed by Saul, as it is written here, "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth." (1 Samuel 22:1-5) (KJV). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 11:38, "What they obtained by their faith. 1. A most honourable character and commendation from God, the true Judge and fountain of honour - that the world was not worthy of such men; the world did not deserve such blessings; they did not know how to value them, nor how to use them. Wicked men! The righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God declares the world is not worthy of them; and, though they widely differ in their judgment, they agree in this, that it is not fit that good men should have their rest in this world; and therefore God receives them out of it, to that world that is suitable to them, and yet far beyond the merit of all their services and sufferings." Here also is what Adam Clarke had to say of Hebrews 11:38, "Yet they were obliged to wander by day in deserts and mountains, driven from the society of men, and often obliged to hide by night in dens and caves of the earth, to conceal themselves from the brutal rage of men. Perhaps he refers here principally to the case of Elijah, and the hundred prophets hidden in caves by Obadiah, and fed with bread and water. See 1 Kings 18:4. David was often obliged thus to hide himself from Saul; 1 Samuel 24:3."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…