MATURITY IN CHRIST. Hebrews 13:20-25 In the midst of the tumult, stress, and unrest in this world, our God is a God of peace. The wicked don’t have peace. The calm of His presence is known to those who know Him. Some Christians don’t have peace. If we are meek and lowly enough to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, we can know the meaning of peace.
Five places in the New Testament where “the God of peace” is mentioned are significant. Romans 15:33 tells us that God unifies His people in peace, even though we are all different. The Father has loved us and given us to Christ. In Romans 16:20, the God of peace brings victory through the Gospel of peace. Those who know and love the Lord follow Him. Christ has loved us and redeemed us with His precious blood. We learn that the God of peace enables spiritual growth when we practice the truth we have heard, learned, received, and seen [Philippians 4:9]. The Holy Spirit loves us, has made us alive to God, and united us to our living, loving Lord Jesus Christ. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all working on our behalf as “the God of peace” to preserve us from any accusation when the Lord comes [1st Thessalonians 5:23].
God, who perfected His Son through suffering to do His will and raised Him from among the dead, wants to do the same work in us with the same power. He fits us to do His will. He puts us in the right condition and position to do each of the “good” things He intends us to do. We are dependent on Him to perfect us in the right condition of mind and heart and to put our faith in Him to do all He desires through Christ.
The same power that raised Christ from the dead works in us [Eph. 1:19-20]. With Christ’s shed blood, death has no dominion over Him; He has been raised by God. The title “Lord Jesus” is significant at the climax of this epistle, which is devoted to His preeminence over everything. In the first chapter, He is called Lord; now it is the Man Jesus, our Savior and Master, who carries His lambs and leads the others. An everlasting covenant has been ratified by His blood.
The God of peace brought the Great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, from the dead because the terms of the “blood of the covenant” were fulfilled. He also works in us, enabling us to do His divine will. The Author of peace is the Channel of peace, working in us. Our Great High Priest fills this role by making those who know and trust Him suited to whatever good work He desires.
Maturity comes from doing God's will. There is work to be done by those whose spiritual maturity enables them to do His will, having proved it. Full and complete surrender to God is the way to prove His will. Because we are His workmanship, He works in us what is well-pleasing in His sight. God looks not only at what we do but at what we are. Maturity allows God to work in us and through us. What we do should be the result of who we are. God is pleased with obedience [Mat. 3:17 – the baptism of Jesus]; with faithful stewards; with our care and sympathy for His saints
[Phil.4:18]; and with our devotedness to Him [Rom. 12:1]. Maturity allows God to change us. We are never done growing and maturing in Christ.
To God be all the glory in heaven as we consider the One at God’s right hand. To God be all the glory from each one who has learned to praise Him. To God be all the glory as we are humbled before Him in worship, recognizing who He is and the great things He has done. “To God be all the glory” are words of gratitude and relief from everyone who has doubted but is now assured of the unfailing grace and goodness of our Great High Priest.
By faith, we are “inside the veil” and “outside the camp” in the consciousness of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. He lives for us, is unchanging and faithful; He has allowed us to come into the presence of God and has brought us to where we can live in the Holiest with our Great High Priest.
We don’t know everything we should, so we need instruction. "A word of exhortation" in these important matters is given so that “all may learn” [1Cor.14:31] – even those who teach others. Timothy knew what it meant to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel [2 Tim. 1:8]. He was now at liberty and perhaps encouraging Paul (if he was the writer) to hope for the same. God's people need to know what is going on. When they receive information about the work and the workers, they are encouraged to see that their prayers and concern for others’ well-being have real value. Genuine affection exists in the family of God. The word “all” is a key word in the conclusion: “all” leaders, “all” God’s people, and grace to “all.” These early believers, who came from Judaism into Christian liberty, faced difficulties from which we can learn, lest we fall into the same problems.
SOME CHALLENGES FOR US. Hebrews 13:13. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”
LET US… Sometimes the words “Let us” are an appeal on my part to someone else to bring me some benefit. Here in Hebrews, it speaks to me. Am I ready to respond to these challenging appeals?
“Let us therefore fear…:” the rest is there – don’t stop short of claiming it in Christ.
“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest…:” the struggle to appreciate God’s provision is there – take what is yours.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…:” the welcome mat is always out – come right in with reverence and confidence.
“Let us go on unto perfection…:” the basics are always in place – move ahead to a full understanding of what you have.
“Let us draw near with a true heart…:” the High Priest is there – use your privileges and move into the Holiest.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith…:” the hope of acceptance is sure – don’t doubt, but be thankful.
“Let us consider one another to provoke to love and good works…:” the Lord’s people are the choicest there is – enjoy encouraging and worshiping together.
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin…:” the power is there to do what is right – give up everything that endangers our relationship with God.
“Let us go forth unto Him…:” the lepers are there, the strangers are there, the ashes are there, the Lord is there – declare your loyalty and move out there with Him.
“Let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually…:” the only thing needed is willingness on my part – go ahead and offer because this is one that can be offered any time, in any place. It’s linked to doing good, which only God can see.
“Father, sometimes I am timid and need a push to move ahead to where I should be. Thanks for the reminders of what is important to You. None of these challenges is impossible, yet I lay hold of them so seldom. Maybe I need someone to remind me of the stripped body; the looking eyes; the lifted hands; the straight paths; the pursuing feet; the alert attention; and the good service You expect of me. No, I guess that is not true either, because You have already reminded me of these things. I give thanks and am humbled before You as I listen, learn, worship, and seek to serve You in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”