23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Yesterday I was reading through Hebrews chapter 7, and this passage stood it out to me mainly because of the last sentence of verse 25. Jesus is alive. That is awesome. Our God reigns forever that is something that makes Christianity unique. Jesus rose from the dead, and not only does he live forever he lives to intercede on the behalf of those who draw near to him. This passage put in me a state of awe. Then I started thinking more, and this question came to me. If our God is alive why do we treat him like he's dead?
I remember reading in Francis Chan's book Crazy Love this summer and Francis brings up this question that a college professor asked his class. "What are you doing right now that requires faith?" What are we doing right now daily to live like our God is alive? Are we taking steps of faith remembering and relying on the fact that Jesus not only rose from the grave, but he rose to intercede on our behalf? I'm convicted when I look at my life. There are times when I take that leap of faith, but my life isn't characterized by the fact that I have faith in a God who reigns forever.
What prevents this faith? I know for me a lot of the time it's fear. Sam pointed out to me something this summer that he found very interesting in Revelations. In Revelation 21:8 when John lists those who will recieve Hell cowardly is the first on the list. I'm not saying that I'm going to recieve Hell, but cowardice isn't obviously not a good characteristic. If we know Jesus is alive and we serve a living God why many times are we too afraid to take that leap of faith daily whatever it may look like?
1 Timothy 4:10
10For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Revelations 19:6
6Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
"Hallelujah!For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
These verses are so encouraging and definitely gives me hope and strength to try and a live a life more defined by faith to a living God. I pray that we will remember always that our God reigns and he is with us always, so that we may live a life reflecting faith in the fact that Jesus is alive.
Amen! Try not to be so hard on yourself either - having faith, being faitahful, knowing God, learaning more, these are all uplifting and joyful - we are all struggling and trying to live a life reflecting in faith. While the path is hard it is also the most rewarding and joyful path that I know. God completes us - He makes us whole - that is amazing and uplifiting :-)
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