Don't Quit!

God is Able to Save Completely

Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

…because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.          Hebrews 7:22-25

As a high school teacher, I often find myself providing encouragement to my students to help keep them working and giving their best effort.  Life’s distractions or disappointments might be causing them to have a lack of focus or poor self esteem.  Despair may have grown in the student where the student never expects to successfully accomplish any worthwhile goals.  This persistent negative attitude, unfortunately, is the ripe condition for a student to quit trying.  Giving up feels like the logical solution, since best efforts appear useless and long-term goals appear hopeless.  Some of us may be tempted to use this same line of reasoning with our faith. 

A better hope is introduced through Jesus.  We desire to be near to God and to know the assurance of our salvation.  However, there is the persistent distraction of the law.  The law was provided to make us aware of God’s expectations and to lead us in His righteousness.  Our sins expose the weak and useless nature of the law.  Regular sacrifices were needed to atone for our transgressions.  A perfect priest was sent to replace the imperfect and to set aside the former regulations.

Jesus conquered death and lives forever.  His perfect sacrifice is sufficient to cover over our sins, altogether and forever.  We no longer need to ask, “Am I good enough?”  Of course, the answer is no.  That’s the significance of the “the better covenant.”  We no longer need to carry the burden of imperfection and weakness.  The new covenant changes our perspective.  We have a great high priest speaking to God on our behalf.  He guarantees salvation.  God is able to save completely.

Prayer

Dear Lord, we come to you through our great high priest, Jesus, the one who saves us, intercedes for us and guarantees our promised salvation.  We know the law was weak and useless for making anything perfect.  By faith, we believe Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice once for all.  Thank you, God, for your mercy.  In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas