Murray, “God is ready and faithful to fulfill His promise, but His people must show good faith that they are working at the job. God does not pre sent us with full payment in advance, but He gives strength for each trial and each task. ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise’ (2 Peter 3:9). If we fail to receive it, the failure is our own.” T he C onditional N ature of the B etter P romise (10:19-29) The same condition applies to the new covenant as to the old. There is both a divine and a human side to the agreement. Thus far in the epistle we see that God has kept His bargain to make available the promise; the completed work awaits the compliance of His people. The Divine Condition for the Promise: (vv. 19-21): The divine condition in the new covenant as in the old was the promise of the presence of God and all that His pres ence entailed. Under the old covenant that presence was symbolized in the tabernacle and particularly in the holy of holies. However, we have noted the limited aspect of it in that the priests alone could minister in the tabernacle, and only the high priest could enter the holy place one each year. Even so, the people were to stand off from the tabernacle, suggesting that even then God was not approachable except through another (Num. 18:22). But through the Mediator of the new covenant, God’s presence and un limited to those who come to Him through Christ. This fact is intro duced by the author when he says “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus . . .” (v. 19). “Therefore” re verts back to the evidence just pro duced as to the sacrificial and inter cessory ministry of Jesus Christ. The word “having” is a present participle which implies the continuing nature of the Christian’s possession. He has it for the present as well as for the future. “Boldness” is likewise ren dered liberty; which expresses the na ture of the privilege. This liberty is given by the blood of Jesus. The way into the holy of holies is a “new and
Biola School of Missionary Modicino students loam how to prepare cavity for filling as a part of fhoir training for foreign service. From loft to right are Bernice Leifgren, Minneapolis; Ralph Malloy, Canada; and Sara Webster, Fort Worth, Texas. they be said to have the promise. Smith, “This responsibility is seen further in the fact that under the new covenant God’s people have more to offer. This thought is involved in the better promises. Whereas under the old covenant Israel could promise only a redemption to be realized by a future act of God, the Christian peo ple have a complete Gospel to pro claim. In Christ God has not only said His last word to man; He has also per formed His last act for the redemption of man. Naturally, therefore, the Christian has the greater responsi bility in making known this fact to a lost world.” The F a ith f u ln e s s of Him Who Promised (10:23) : The promise made to Abraham rested upon the fidelity of the two parties to the covenant. If one kept his bargain, the other was obli gated to do likewise. God’s promise was on deposit and available whenever and wherever needed. Therefore the first act of good faith must be on the part of the party of the second part. Until that happened, the party of the first part had no responsibility. When Abraham was obedient, God was faithful. Israel sometimes questioned God when the problem lay within her self.
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online