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Saints!

Friday
March 29th, 2024
L&T Opinions Page

gary damronMY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

I began writing weekly articles for the newspaper in 2007, while I served as pastor and college instructor for courses in history, geography, and ethics. We started out with topics of a devotional nature, sometimes sharing travel stories, or occasionally a tribute to someone who passed away. During Covid, when many churches were shut down, I began using Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/barbaran.gary) as a platform for weekly messages on hope, and these articles serve to summarize the topics in written form. That progressed into a study of the Book of Revelation, then of Old Testament patriarchs and David, which led recently to an in-depth study of the Book of Hebrews. The book, whose author is not clearly identified, was written after Jesus’ death and resurrection, primarily for first-century Christians with a background of Jewish faith. 

This week’s study is especially significant for anyone who has tried and perhaps been frustrated, or even failed, in serving God. Religion in any culture is man’s effort to connect with God. Sometimes leaders place requirements on followers, and other times they are self-imposed by religious people. But repeated efforts of most religious practices result in tedium or lack of success. The Christian faith teaches that God himself made a covenant connection through Jesus Christ, who brought a message of hope and a guarantee of free access to God for all who accept him. 

The author was intent on countering those who tried to burden seekers with an “add-on religion”. The Law, he wrote, and the sacrifices offered over and over, would never “…make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer been consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4). 

Rather than removing sins, the cycle of offerings in the Jewish temple left the reality of sin’s hold continually on worshipers’ minds. Contrast the annual feast of atonement, which was a remembrance of sins, with Jesus’ words as he and his disciples celebrated the Passover. Now we, living after his perfect sacrifice, are able to remember and serve our Savior with gratitude. “‘Do this is remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). 

A careful reading of the Old Testament shows that ritual without righteousness was meaningless, even an offense to God. Love, loyalty, and a desire for a right relationship with God were what made sacrifices effective. Parts of Psalm 40 were quoted within this chapter. “You have not desired sacrifice and meal offering; …you have not required burnt offering and sin offering. I delight to do your will, my God; your Law is within my heart” (verses 6-8). Kind, just treatment of others - things done outside the temple or church - was deemed essential in the Old Testament. 

And, with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, it became possible to secure cleansing. His death is the basis not only of justification but also purification. “By this will we have been sanctified [made holy] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). 

The apostle Paul wrote, “…our old self was crucified with him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6). Paul also wrote about the church, in verses usually used in another context. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her, so that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27). 

We find in a later chapter of Hebrews, “Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood” (Hebrews 13:12). John wrote, “If we walk in the Light as he himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It becomes apparent that God desires relationships that reflect his holiness, rather than repetitious ritual. These relationships begin with accepting what Jesus has done for us and entering into fellowship with him. 

This year, we’re giving Bibles to each of our grandchildren, after highlighting passages that have been meaningful to us. I would encourage you to find a Bible and read Hebrews chapter 10. God created us, came to earth as a perfect sacrifice, and desires that we live transformed lives. We hope you will continue following along as we finish Hebrews chapter 10 and complete the study of this amazing book. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Isaacs, Liberal

 

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