WHAT ABOUT THE WORD “IF”
Monday – September 4, 2017
Do we find ourselves resisting or rejecting new information concerning Scripture out of hand? Have we developed a hardened heart and/or a stiffness of neck? Hardness of heart is a stubborn unwilling attitude to change toward Scripture (or any other area of life) that differs from what we already believe. A stiffness of the neck is an arrogant and self-willed spirit that resists God and all higher authority.
The featured picture is of Dr. and Mrs. Wood enjoying one of many covered bridges in the State of Maine a few years ago. Now, welcome back to our wonderful study of the Holy Book of Hebrews. God is so good to give us His Word. Let’s review our primary text once again.
Hebrews 3:1-6 (KJV)
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Bold added by Dr. Wood)
As we move into verse six of our text we find that Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One, and His Anointing) is the Son of God, and He is the Head of the Church of which we are members in Him. Notice right in the middle of verse six that little but very important and crucial word ‘if’. As we look at this carefully, let’s explore a different translation.
Hebrews 3:6 (HCSB)
6 But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household. And we are that household if we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope.
I think we can see from this verse that we are of the household of Christ “if” we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope.” Well what if we don’t “hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope”? Sounds clear to me that we would no longer be a member of Jesus’ household. Kind of hits the once saved thing in the head, don’t you think. Having said that, just a very thin thread of faith in Jesus will take us to Heaven. We are to hold fast to our confidence, our rejoicing, and our hope until the end. The end of what? Until the end of this natural life. Now, that does not mean that faith, love, and hope are out the window on our departure, quite to the contrary. Commonly in Scripture another word for confidence is faith however in this case it is boldness, a pouring out, and/or openness. Now let’s look at this verse in the Amplified version.
Hebrews 3:6 (AMP)
6 But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father’s] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].
Notice the “sense of triumph” which comes quickly on the heels of joy, courage, faith, and hope (all three versions taken together). Our position in Him makes us more than conquerors. As I begin winding down todays study let me ask, how can we be bold, confident, and rejoice in our hope? The main reason is that Bible hope is way different than natural hope. Natural hope is dependent upon the frailty and the will of others whereas Bible or supernatural hope is a pleasurable confident earnest expectation that will not fail if we hold fast. This hope is manifest by the Hand of God. In the end, the fulfillment of our hope in Him is not dependent on a particular human hand although the fulfilment may come by a human hand. In this case our hope is being a part of the household of Christ, of the Son, of God the Father, and of the Holy Spirit our Guide and Teacher. Hold fast, don’t let go of the confidence we have in Christ and the outcome is certain. I am concluding with a review our text for tomorrow.
Hebrews 3:6-8 (KJV)
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
NEW MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
MY BOOKS: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/shop/
