Bible Study: A Better Testament 12.13.10

King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Better Testament
For: Monday December 13, 2010
Chapters: Hebrews 5-7
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-december-13

Details of Today's Chapters: Christ, our high priest, remembering, Melchizedek, a priest and king of Salem, the good work of God, be followers, giving tithe, and a better testament.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
A testament is defined as a will or declaration setting out the distribution of personal property, a proof or tribute, and a covenant or an agreement instituted between God and man. The Bible is divided up into two testaments, the old and new. The Old Testament declares that the Jews are God's personal property and it contains proof through countless men and women who made an agreement with God to live their lives with Him in it. The New Testament declares that whether Jew or Gentile anyone who believes in the Son of God, Jesus Christ is His personal property and it also contains proof to the countless men and women who made an agreement to live their lives with God in it. The difference between the Old and New Testament is that the we are no longer bound to keep the law of Moses for our salvation, we are simply saved by looking to Jesus by God's grace, same Jesus, better covenant. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,..Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” - Titus 2:11,13.

Even in the Old Testament salvation was not only for the Jews, all throughout the books you will learn of people, strangers, and towns, who looked to the coming of Jesus and made a covenant with Him to live their lives by that faith. Then, when a person wanted to be redeemed they had to visit the high priest, he offered the sacrifice that was given by the sinner to God for him for the atonement of his sins. Today, the only person we need to go to is Jesus Christ, who is our only and great High Priest. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” - Hebrews 5:4-9.

In the days of His flesh, Christ made himself subject to what man faced, He hungered, He was a tempted, He suffered persecution, He was chastised, and He died. He did all these things, yet remained perfect, to be an example for us to follow. God will not force anyone to come to Him, but every one is welcome to come to God, by faith we trust in the High Priest, who is the Son of God, to atone for our sins. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee...Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” - Hebrews 6:10-14,19,20.

Incidentally, these same words were spoken by David, who was the apple of God's eye, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” - Psalm 110:1-4.

Melchizedek was the king of Salem, who was also a priest, he blessed Abraham for being blessed by God to be the father of multitudes. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” - Genesis 14:18-20. By faith Abraham trusted in God and did the work He called him to do. Of course, Abraham did not always wait for God and did error from time to time, but that did not stop God from using him for the purpose He brought him here for. Likewise, by faith we look to Him for our salvation and by faith we do the work He called us to do, not to keep our salvation, but to show Him how much we thank and love Him for His labor of love.

When God saw that the law was not keeping His property faithful to their commitment He decided that it was time to make it easier for people fulfill their commitment. Of course, this was decided the second Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit, but He decided to send His Son Jesus to make it easier to remain faithful to God. The law provided the hope of a better testament, which was replaced by looking unto Jesus. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” - Hebrews 7:19-22.

Now, we follow a new, better testament, “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. By faith you are saved, the works you do after show God how much you appreciate and love Him for giving His only begotten Son, who endured the cross that you deserve. Praise God!

Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and a great week.

Merry Christmas, remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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