Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Throughout the epistle of Hebrews, Christ is identified as superior to prophets, priests, kings, and angels. His ministry as our great High Priest is matchless, while the offering of Himself on the Cross is unsurpassed in history and infinitely superior to the blood of bulls and goats, which were simply a type of Him Who was to come. The danger of falling into Jewish legalism, both then as now, is that the Person of Christ is rendered inconsequential, while His sacrificial work on the Cross is pronounced irrelevant. Judaism is a works-based salvation, while Christianity is a grace-based salvation. In this sort of Jewish legalism, I contribute to my own salvation by what I do, whereas in biblical salvation, Christ did it all. I do not have to contribute good works-of-the-law to be saved. I am saved by believing what Christ has done for me on the Cross. In any form of legalism, I have to add to Christ’s work by doing something or by keeping some legalistic requirement. Biblical salvation however, is gained by grace through faith in Christ’s sacrificial work. I am saved by grace alone… through faith alone… in what Christ has done alone – with nothing added. Christ has a more excellent Name, a superior Ministry, and is the single Mediator of a better covenant which was ratified through His shed blood on Calvary. And it is by faith in Him that we have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken and an inheritance that is kept for us in heaven. How foolish therefore, to cling to religious rituals, denominational rites, and legalistic regulations in the hope that they will secure our heavenly home, rather than clinging to the Cross, and hoping in Christ – in Whom are the Words of eternal life. How wise to praise our good and gracious God with prayers of gratitude and hymns of thanksgiving for all that He has done for us. From beginning to end, we can have no doubt that the target audience of Hebrews was originally believing Israelites – Jews who had become part of the one new man in Christ, for it gives repeated warnings not to revert back to the old religion of pre-Cross Israel. The Mosaic Law was given by God to point us to Christ. The old Law was not given to achieve salvation – for in Christ are the words of eternal life and through Him alone will come the prophesied kingdom of heaven on earth. The promised kingdom is one that cannot be shaken, and the awesome revelation of the coming King of kings should fill our hearts with reverential wonder and godly fear – for we read: “Our God is a consuming fire.” The very God of gods Whose thunder resounded around Mount Sinai which caused the Israelite to tremble as the mountain burned with fire and as the trumpet blast grew louder and louder, is here described as a consuming fire Whose righteous judgement must fall on all that is sinful and burn up every work that is fleshly, unholy, carnal, and ungodly. We justly deserve to be punished for our sin with the consuming fires of God’s holy wrath, but Jesus took the punishment that we deserve and God’s righteous judgement was poured out upon His head in full measure, instead of ours. He is not only superior to men and angels, but He is the Passover Lamb, the Sin Offering, the First-fruit from the dead, and the great and dreadful Judge. He is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession and He is our Mediator Who has redeemed us from being consumed in the fire of God’s anger – with His own blood – and He stands at the heavenly alter interceding on our account. Jesus is the Mediator of the New and better Covenant of which we have been made ministers by faith in Him. The more we read, mark, learn, and understand the Old Covenant, God’s plan of salvation, the dispensation of Israel, and the Old Testament Scriptures… the more we will understand the significance of the New Testament writings and the New and better Covenant that was cut at Calvary – and of which we are made ministers. May we recognize what Christ has done for us, and with grateful praise and a thankful heart, offer up ourselves in service to God as a living sacrifice – a holy offering that is pleasing to the Lord. May our gratitude and praise become an acceptable service to Him – knowing that our eternal salvation and heavenly calling, depends on what He has done – for us. The Lord our God is a consuming fire. You always hear that the kingdom of God is coming. But, I tell you, it’s already here! It’s here if you allow it be! If you allow Him to, God will consume more and more of your life right here and right now. So during this holiday season, allow Christ to consume your life; allow His consuming fire to ignite you. I promise, your life will never be the same!
Spiritual Steve 