A Guidebook for Better Living – Part Two

Hebrews 1: 1 – 3

With today’s bad news, there is a source of good news. That is what the Bible offers. A time alone with the Lord in His book can be a time of renewing, mentally refueling. 

The Bible effervesces with exuberance. It exudes exuberance.  It overflows with the superabundant advantages of doing things God’s way.  It speaks of the good things God wants to lavish on you.

To have a treasure and not know it is little better than not having it. Having a Bible in your house and not read is little better than not having one. Do you?

Several key words reveal what energizing provisions are found in the Bible. They are:

One is the word summarized as “better.” This word is used 13 times in the book to show how much better life is in Christ.  It indicates how much better He is than any other pseudo-god.  He offers you “a better hope.” (1:4)

Another word is “perfect.” This word is used 14 times for emphasis.  He can do for us what no human effort or system could do.  No sacrifice, or legal system, can make you worthy to stand before God.  In Christ He perfects you and you can spiritually stand before God as a new creature in Christ.

The third word is “eternal.”  Christ is shown to be the “author of eternal salvation.”  (5:9) In Him “We have strong encouragement in Jesus Christ.” (6:18) Therefore we should “encourage one another daily.” (3:13) Because He has guaranteed us “the promise of eternal inheritance.” (9:15) You can rely on Him because He is, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (13:8)

Fourth is the word “encouragement.” 

Life is filled with challenges but we are promised an “eternal inheritance.” (9:15) with Christ who is “heir to all things.” (1:2)

The physician, William Osler, one of the founders of Johns Hopkins University was struggling as a young student.  He lacked confidence in his upcoming exams and his future was uncertain.  He picked up a book authored by philosopher Thomas Carlyle and read: “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.”  What is the decision clearly at hand for you? Feed your mind on the Word of God that you may have His guidance in finding and doing His will.

Jim Elliot, who gave his life trying to reach a primitive tribe deep in the Brazilian Amazon forest, put life in perspective by saying: “He is no fool, to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”