HIS WILL IS GOOD WORK
Friday – August 24, 2018, Elul 13, 5778
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
The good fight is the fight of faith.
1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Whatever is not of faith is sin. Real faith always overcomes, always brings the victory. Anything else wipes away large swaths of Scripture. You may be wondering, what is with all this? Well, we are entering a part of our text referring to our work and the will of God, and work that is the will of God is the only work that brings a reward, a crown. We get saved by faith and everything else that is meaningful in the Kingdom of God is obtained by faith. Faith works only by Godly love (agape) and faith that is exercised for anything not led of the Spirit of God is not the will of God and therefore sin, a diversion that weakens us and the Kingdom of God. Now, let’s get to our primary text and delve further into this wonderful faith building Bible Study.
Hebrews 13:20-22 (KJV)
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
Isn’t the Word of God just so wonderful? I am focusing on verse twenty-one today but first let’s look at it in a different translation.
Hebrews 13:21 (TLB)
21 equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
We learn the will of God broadly and we are equipped by the Word of God. The Word of God in our mouth in and by the name of Jesus is fundamental to anything we are to accomplish in the Kingdom of God. Above I noted the will of God broadly, so what does that mean? For example, Jesus said that we were to go into all the world. He is speaking of the corporate “we”, the Church or body of Christ as a whole. Within the context of the Church, especially our local Church, we will have God given assignments. Compared with being in Church a vast amount of our time is spent outside of the Church walls and never forget you are on assignment for the Kingdom. Your gifts and mine are to function in that environment as well, especially in that environment. These God given assignments are known by our talents and gifts and confirmed by the still small voice within us. As the Apostle Paul pointed out we are a part of a body and each part of a body has a different and essential function. The reason that many Churches are not functioning as New Testament Churches is that the individual members are not in their place and functioning in their talents and gifts. Our increasing maturity (we are all a work in progress) is pleasing to God and it only happens in and through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word.
As our writer closes this letter to the Hebrews he/she encourages them to receive (suffer = allow) these Words of exhortation which are words of comfort and encouragement. The writer of Hebrews is in Italy, probably Rome, and this is likely a reason that many believe the Apostle Paul is the author of Hebrews. I do not share that view or opinion. The salutation and valediction of this Book is not consistent with his style. The writer refers to Timothy as a brother and not a son in the faith indicating someone other than Paul is writing. He/she instructs them to salute or give their greeting to all of their spiritual leaders. Finally, at the very end we find the statement: “Grace be with you all. Amen” Notice this is a decree, he is commanding Grace (God’s unmerited favor – Holy Spirit) to be with each one. Now, we know that Holy Spirit is every where present and so is already with or in the presence of everyone and in the believer. So, what is he/she saying? He is decreeing the manifestation of Grace, of Holy Spirit in the life of each one. And so, I end the teaching of this wonderful Bible Book with the same declaration: Grace be with you all, Amen.
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 3:14-17 (KJV)
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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