Is it customary among us Christians to regard one another as holy? What kind of brethren are these he calls "holy?" Are they patterns and paragons, or were they weak, faltering, stumbling brethren? Note to whom the word "sanctified" (which is the same as "holy") is applied in the first Epistle to the Corinthians. (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11.) So these also were made holy, as far as their standing before God is concerned, through their first acceptance of Jesus Christ. But their characters were not yet holy. That is why these Christians, though already sanctified, are urged to [38] follow after--that is, pursue--the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14; compare 1 Pet. 1:15, 16.) In the same way Christians, who have "put on Christ" in baptism (Gal. 3:27), are yet exhorted to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 13:14). It is to make real in our own life and character that which has been imputed to us through the merits of Jesus Christ; it is to work out in our career the salvation which at the outset was freely bestowed upon us. But let us take note of the fact that a Christian, even a weak, faulty Christian, is a holy person, set apart unto God, sprinkled with the sanctifying blood.

      They were also partakers of a heavenly calling--a call from heaven, a call to heaven. What does the word "apostle" mean? Why is Jesus called "the apostle of our confession?" (Compare John 20:21.) Look up the word "consider" in the dictionary. Consider Jesus. (2 Cor. 3:18.)

      Here again we have one of the comparisons and contrasts with which this Epistle abounds. In what point was Jesus like Moses? Note that the expression "his house," in verses 2 and 6, refers in both to God's house, not Moses' house [39] or Jesus' house. What was the chief distinction between Jesus and Moses in relation to God's house? (Verses 3, 4.) What was another great contrast between them? (Verses 5, 6.) Elsewhere in the Bible the likeness of Moses to the Messiah is touched upon. (Acts 3:22.) It will be instructive to seek out the resemblances and differences in the two persons and careers.

      The latter part of verse 5 is important. It states that Moses' work was only "for a testimony" of the greater message that was to follow. As the shadow testifies to the substance, as the type bears witness of the antitype, so the Mosaic dispensation bore its testimony to the gospel. (Romans 3:21; John 5:46.)

      The conditions of final success are very markedly presented in this letter. In verse 6 we have the condition on which we shall finally be accepted as the "house of God." It is: "If we hold fast our boldness [the courage of our faith that sustains us, and without which we faint and surrender in the face of opposition] and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end." We hold our hope too cheap and uncertain. Instead of glorying in it, we are diffident about it; and just as cheap as we hold it, so [40] cheaply do we let it go. We need hope. We must be assured of the ultimate success of our warfare. We must maintain this attitude in the teeth of all scoffings, ridicule, and opposition, else we shall lose in the conflict.

      Our Father, thou hast magnified our privileges infinitely above those of thy people of old. Instead of being under a servant, the Son's gentle, omnipotent watch care is over us; instead of living and worshipping in types and shadows, the eternal realities of the new covenant have come upon us. We pray thee to open our eyes and hearts to a greater realization and appreciation of the blessings thy love has bestowed on us in Christ. May we be bold in his name, and may our hope be our boast, our glory, our inspiration continually, that when the end comes we may be found in him and accepted as living stones in God's spiritual temple forever. Amen.

      The next lesson (Heb. 3:7-19) is a deep and earnest admonition. Let us study it with unusual care. Most of us need just that more than anything else. Why does he emphasize the [41] "to-day" so heavily? How do we harden our hearts against God's word? Why does he plead with us not to harden our hearts? With what kind of mind ought we to approach the Bible? How long was the "day" of Israel's trial mentioned in verse 8? What is the significance of the expression "take heed?" What does "haply" mean? Is it faith or works that is made the condition of final acceptance here? Why was Israel deprived of the promise of Canaan? There is much more in this lesson than appears on the surface. It will richly reward humble and earnest study. [42]

[LOH1 38-42]