Christian Way of Life

In Hebrews 4:9-16 we have an overview of the characteristics of the Christian life. There are seven characteristics, beginning with  #1 Faith. Hebrews 4:9-10:

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,  for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Having believed in Jesus Christ, we are born again and are forever IN HIM. We are co-heirs in His eternal glory. We understand that since His work of creation and atonement is complete, there is nothing more for Him to do and nothing for us to do, regarding our salvation. Faith means total trust in His finished work; total rest in His perfect provision. Moment-by-moment Sabbath as members of His Royal Family. So, faith is our entrance into the Christian life (rest), and it also sustains our Christian life, for the duration of our time on earth. We’ve seen, though, that being a born-again believer in Jesus Christ does not guarantee one will enter His rest. Some believers have short attention spans, negative volition to Bible doctrine and almost no trust in the faithfulness of God. Therefore, one can be a Christian by way of the new birth, but not be living the Christian Way of Life. Such a believer lacks Diligence, which is characteristic #2 of the Christian Way of Life, Hebrews 4:11:

Let us therefore strive (be diligent; consistently determined) to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Our diligence to enter into God’s rest is dependent upon characteristic #3 which is Knowledge of the Word of God, Hebrews 4:12:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart
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It’s very simple. The more we know of God’s Word, the more we know of God. The Word is alive. It has a life and a will that expresses the very mind of God Himself. The Word was with God in the beginning. The Word was and is God. Logos: the expression of the thoughts of God. There is no greater authority in the universe. People who study the Bible with an open mind and a willingness to know God’s will WILL be changed in their thinking, because they will soon see God’s revelation of Himself.

The Word is sharper than the greatest weapon of the Roman Empire, the two-edged sword. They conquered nations with that sword, because it was the most efficient weapon that had ever been devised by man. It was sharp, well-balanced and easy to maneuver in battle. It always got the job done with the least effort on the part of the soldier.

That sharp, efficient, well-balanced Word cuts into the entire being of man, showing the difference between soul and spirit (they are not the same), exposing the workings of the body parts, and discerning our very innermost thoughts and intentions within our minds. We can often fool other people. We can sometimes fool ourselves, regarding our personal beliefs and standards. We can never fool God, and His Word clearly demonstrates that, as we learn it. Learning about ourselves from the Bible is the beginning of our humility.

That is the supernatural power of the Word of God. Those of us who came to Christ as adults are more keenly aware of this, I think, because we thought we were someone we were not, until the Word of God exposed our real selves and showed us the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians we are under Divine Inspection, characteristic #4, Hebrews 4:13:

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account

Whatever we think we are hiding, we are not hiding anything from God. His omniscience knows everything we have ever thought or done and ever will think or do. It’s best to simply acknowledge to God what we know about ourselves, because He knows us and loves us anyway, and will discipline us where and when that is needed.

Characteristic #5 of the Christian Way of Life, Hebrews 4:14, Witnessing:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Jesus, our high priest, has already gone to heaven. He is the first human to be received there. We know Him and what He did in atonement and what He does for us by way of intercession. We have a testimony to the world regarding this Savior. The world needs our witness. We must hold it fast, and never fail to share with those who are dying in their sins. It’s our job.

Characteristic # 6, Hebrews 4:15, Testing:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

He knows our frame, and He knows our circumstances. He not only knows by observation, but He has been through the same fires of testing that we undergo every day. He earned highest honor by submitting to humiliation. We will be and are being humiliated in our lives, and our high priest is making intercession for us as One who KNOWS.

Characteristic # 7 of the Christian Way of Life, Hebrews 4:16, Prayer:

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Our honor. Our privilege. Our responsibility. We must never neglect to pray for our loved ones, our neighbors, our nation, our witness, our own needs, our thanksgiving for God’s grace, and our enemies. As long as they are breathing, there is hope for their salvation, or the carnal believers’ readjustment of attitude. We can’t change them, but God is in charge of our and their circumstances. He’s listening. Take it to the throne of grace. Who better to ask for help than the Lord of the universe?