*** w79 5/15 p. 26 Maintaining a Precious Relationship *** “LOOK INTENTLY . . . CONSIDER CLOSELY” 16 The apostle Paul was used as the writer for most of the letters in the Christian Greek Scriptures. His letter to the Hebrew Christians gives much practical help and guidance in building up a true and strong faith, leading to a close relationship with Jehovah and Christ Jesus. 17 Understandably, in the above letter Paul makes many comparisons between the Jews making up fleshly Israel and those Jews who became the first members of the Christian congregation making up spiritual Israel, and to which Gentiles were added later. Based on these comparisons, Paul shows how the Hebrew Christians enjoyed many advantages over those of fleshly Israel, but this also brought greater responsibility. All true Christians today, whatever their background, can likewise apply these same things to themselves and be benefited thereby. 18 Paul earlier on makes the point that if the word spoken through angels when the Law was given to Israel had to be treated with the greatest respect, then “how shall we escape if we have neglected a salvation of such greatness in that it began to be spoken through our Lord” Jesus? (Heb. 2:1-3; Gal. 3:19) A similar warning is sounded toward the close of the letter. After telling what happened at Mount Sinai, Paul writes: “For if they did not escape who begged off from him who was giving divine warning upon earth, much more shall we not [escape] if we turn away from him who speaks from the heavens.”—Heb. 12:25. 19 This is where our faith must ring true in order to have the required tested quality. The heart is involved. After quoting God’s comment on Israel that “they always go astray in their hearts,” Paul makes the strong warning for our benefit: “Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God.” We cannot stand still. If we do not “draw close to God” in evergrowing faith as we appreciate him more fully, then there is the danger that we will “become hardened by the deceptive power of sin,” and commence drawing away, not realizing what is happening. We should help one another in this respect and “keep on exhorting one another each day.” We will win “only if we make fast our hold on the confidence we had at the beginning firm to the end.” This firm confidence, this unshakable faith, must be maintained in order for us to inherit the “kingdom that cannot be shaken” and its blessings.—Heb. 3:10-14; 12:28. 20 Paul also encourages us with regard to prayer, and to “look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. . . . Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such contrary talk by sinners against their own interests, that you may not get tired and give out in your souls.” Because of all he went through he can sympathize with our weaknesses, though without sin himself, and through him we can have access to the “throne of undeserved kindness” and find help at the right time.—Heb. 4:15, 16; 12:2, 3. 21 Finally, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians, keep in mind that “prayer on every occasion in spirit” is closely tied in with putting on the “complete suit of armor from God.” And, like Paul, we should pray for ourselves and others that we may be given “ability to speak . . . to make known the sacred secret of the good news, . . . with boldness.”—Eph. 6:10-20.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 05:19:03 +0000