Three Essential Life Lessons from Hebrews

Hebrews has timeless lessons for our busy lives.

Many years ago, at summer camp, a great Bible scholar presented a study on the book of Hebrews. For me, it was the highlight of the week. My Harper’s Study Bible was thoroughly marked up as I listened to his teaching. Ever since, I have enjoyed this book immensely.

I hinted at some of what I learned from this book in my last post a few months ago. There are so many lessons in this book that I cannot share them all. I challenge you to find lessons as you read, study and meditate on these sacred writings.

So here are some lessons that you should use to enhance your spiritual life.

God Speaks!

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 

Hebrews 1:1–2 (ESV)

This introduction to the book foreshadows one of the themes – the superiority of Jesus Christ. But it also reinforces that God did speak through the prophets prior to the incarnation.

As Jesus’ followers, we often place the Old Testament writings on a lower level than New Testament writings. However, as these verses make clear, God spoke through the prophets! We must learn to listen to those words as well. As we must account for context, we must also embrace content. Every book of the Bible has lessons that must be applied for our spiritual health.

If you wonder what those lessons might be, simply use the search tool on this website to find lessons from any book. Go ahead, type in an Old Testament book name and see the list of posts that refer to that book. If you start at Genesis and keep reading through Malachi, you’ll have a full day of reading.

Faith Matters

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

Hebrews 11:1 gives us the classic definition of faith: the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (ESV).  If we are following Jesus, this is the reality we live in: things hoped for and things not seen. We must believe that God is in ultimate control no matter what the circumstances of our lives are. We have all seen and experienced suffering, loss and unexplainable tragedy. Yet our faith compels us to continue to follow and believe.

Faith molds the way we think, the things we say and how we act and react. It really matters.

Authority is essential

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

Humility would keep most preachers from presenting a sermon based on this scripture. But this is the word of God. And it is true. One of the strengths of the Roman Catholic church is its strong structure of authority. The rationale for obedience is laid out in the rest of that first sentence of the verse. Leaders give an account not only of their own spiritual lives and health but over the stewardship of their responsibility of leadership.

When God’s people submit to the authority that Christ has established, it becomes a joy for those leaders. When God’s people criticize and complain about their leaders, leadership becomes a painful burden making it less effective. So, submitting and trusting those in leadership actually makes those leaders more effective, compassionate and helpful to you in your spiritual lives. (If you struggle with those in leadership, simply submit and pray for them. This is of infinite more worth to you and to them.)

Three Points of Action

Now the challenge to you is to take these lessons and make them part of your spiritual lives. First, listen to the voice of God as you read the Old Testament scriptures (as well as the New Testament, of course). Second, reexamine your faith. How strongly do you trust in God? Third, determine to respect, submit and encourage your pastor.

In order to succeed at these three challenges, you will need to reignite your prayer life. God will help you and you will find new joy and vitality in your spiritual life.

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