Good, Better, Best

Hebrews 8-Part 1
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the meadiator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.  Hebrews 8:6

LET IT GLOW

Toast for breakfast is okay if I put jelly on it, but canned biscuits are better .But then, hot, homemade biscuits are the best, especially with sausage gravy. (Now you know I live in the south, don't you?)Mmmmm I may have to make some for supper tonight. When I read the eighth chapter, better kept being used in the commentaries. So I wondered what better things do we have?

1. a better hope (7:19) It is found in John 1;17, which says For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Christians are under grace instead of trying to keep the law for our salvation.
2. a better testament/covenant (7:22, 8:6) The Old Covenant was under Moses, which couldn't change hearts, but Jesus has provided a New Covenant, which is salvation.
3. a better sanctuary (8:2) Jesus is ministering in His heavenly sanctuary, whereas the earthly priests ministered in the tabernacle, a pitched tent.
4. better promises (8:6) In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God tells what the new covenant will do. 

We started out with a good thing-the law under Moses.  Then we received a better thing, salvation through grace by Jesus. (Although we have freedom under grace, we don't have freedom to disobey God and to sin.)

Does God keep His promises?
2 Corinthians 1:20 says For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
"God keeps every promise He makes. When we walk in intimate fellowship with Christ, we have the assurance that every promise God has made in Scripture is available to us. Jesus promised that when you ask something in His will, He will give you what you ask (John 16:23b). This promise is available to every Christian.

Am I walking closely to the Lord so that in time I will see Him bring His promises to fruition in my life? Do I get discouraged or impatient when don't experience to the fullest all His promises? Am I prepared to receive His great truths?

 Now let's look for the best.

LET IT GROW

 Warren Wiersbe, in his book, Be Confident, says there are four better promises that belong to the New Covenant:

1. The promise of God's grace (verses 7-9). Nine times God said, "I will" in verses 8-12. Those Israelites said they would, too, but they didn't do it. Only God's grace can change the human heart.
2. The promise of internal change (verse 10). A new heart and disposition is given in salvation, along with the power needed for obedience, the Holy Spirit.
3. The promise of forgiveness for all (verses 11-12). The law reminds us of our sins, but Jesus forgives us of our sins. He forgets them, remembers no ore, which means "hold against us no more."It's settled for all time, eternity. It's as though we never did them.
4. The promise of eternal blessing (verse 13). The New Covenant brings eternal blessing. Jesus Christ is the Author of "eternal salvation" and "eternal redemption." It can't ever get old and disappear. The Greek word translated new means "new in quality," not "new in time."This New Covenant is of such quality that it will never need to be replaced!

Those are some promises, aren't they friends? Under the grace of Jesus, we get a new heart, forgiveness of sins, and eternity. That is the best in my books, gravy on a biscuit.


LET IT GO

Dig into the Word for those better promises. They sure are gold nuggets.

I'm standing on the promises of God. Are you standing with me?

Share the grace, forgiveness, and eternal life with others so they can have them too.