Hebrews 4:14-16: Everyone is a Theologian but Which Kind: Part I
Thinking and Living as a Proper Theologian
Introduction: This five-part series on Hebrews 4;14-16: Everyone is a theologian but which kind? answers the question by pointing to Jesus the great Theologian. The author of the book of Hebrews poses this same question: everyone is a theologian but which kind are you? He knew the answer was a matter of life and death. He knew there was only one great Theologian – Jesus Christ. He provided the only proper answer throughout the book of Hebrews but this series focuses only on Hebrews 4:14-16.
v.14: Therefore since we have this great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith that we profess.
v.15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.
v.16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
Man is created in and as God’s image and is therefore a dependent, relational, rational, religious, morally responsible, covenantal being. Every person has a relationship with God and beliefs about Him. He lives in God’s world whether denied or not. These non-negotiable truths flow from the Creator’s design and indicates that everyone is a theologian. What kind of theologian a person is depends on his view of the Triune God, his view of a proper relationship with him, and his view of himself. For the believer, knowing Jesus is fundamental to being and functioning as a godly theologian.
Knowing Christ means being in a proper relationship with Him (John 17:3). It means knowing facts about Jesus: who He is; what He has done, is doing, and will do. Knowing Jesus is more than simply knowing facts about Jesus and His history. True knowing Christ means a personal intimacy with him. Biblically, knowing Jesus is relational and involves a radical and supernaturally derived change in trust in self to trust in the Triune God (John 17:3-5). These are profound theological issues which demand every person’s attention. The person’s attention whether properly or improperly directed have profound consequences.
Not only is every person a theologian but life is theological. Life refers to the person living in God’s world with a perspective about God, self, others, and the circumstances of life – God’s providence. Every person lives in or out of a proper relationship to God and to neighbor. His theology is expressed by what he professes to believe and how he functions. A person’s theology and function will be predicated on truth and error, reality and falsehood, life and deadness, and light and darkness. Since Jesus is truth as the God-man, He is the only theologian to truly imitate. He declared and promised that truth – Himself – will set a person free (John 8:31-32; 14:6). A question arises: has He made good on His proclamation and if so?
The Bible is God’s powerful, purposeful self-expression. It, too, is truth (John 17:17). In it, by it, and through it, God reveals Himself – His thoughts and desires – for His glory and the believer’s good. But the Triune God does not leave to fend for himself. The Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). He illumines the believer and the Church so that they may understand the riches of God and His truth (Ephesians 1:14-19; 3:14-18). Among other purposes God’s word is intended to help the believer to function as a good theologian. One place to turn to help the believer gain wisdom for that endeavor is the book of Hebrews.
The book of Hebrews is addressed to a congregation which was experiencing non-physical persecution. Some of its members were reconsidering whether they should remain in the Christian faith or return to Judaism. In other words, they were considering the cost of standing firm in their new beliefs. They were engaged in a theological conflict and were considering what kind of theologian they should be. Functionally, they asked: was Christ’s relationship with them, and theirs with Him, worth the trouble? In essence, they asked if Christ was worth their allegiance.
The author of the book of Hebrews continually set before the people that it was not only dangerous to go back but also foolish to return to Judaism (see chapters 2, 6, 10). How did the author motivate his people to function as good theologians? He did it in several ways but primarily by showing them that “Jesus is better than…”: he is better than the prophets (1:1-3), the angels (1:4-2:18), Moses (3:1-4:13), and Aaron and the Levitical priesthood (4:14-7:28). The author demonstrated that Christianity is far superior to Judaism. The question arose: isn’t any old God “Ok” and any way to him is “OK” as well? The question testifies to the fact that everyone is a religious, worshipping being. The question assumes that man can and should decide based on his own reasoning. Such was the decision of the first parents in the Garden. Man in all ages ignores, tries to ignore, and or suppresses reality of the Creator-creature distinction. Man is no God! Post-fall, man was moved into the poor-theologian category. More precisely, fallen-man is a rebel and enemy of God. The mantra of fallen mankind was god as we know him or her or it.
As God’s image bearer, all persons continue as rational, religious beings. The fall did not change that fact. All people think, desire, act, and worship. Religion is embedded in the very fabric of every person. Eternity is bound up in the heart of every person (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The real issue is who and how will you worship. A person may consider several variables. But in the final analysis, he decides based on what he thinks is right (he is a rational, thinking being) and how something feels (he is an emotive being). Every person brings his own religion with him to every aspect of life. Every person post-fall is anti-God and pro-self. These two inward motivations control his thoughts, desires, and actions in varying degrees. Unless God changes the person from the inside out, every person will be and function as a poor theologian. Such is the case with Satan.
Christianity is not simply another religion. It is and presents the truth: about God, man, the world, morality, rationality, and worship. It is the truth about origins: God is eternal and uncreated. Man is a dependent creature and image bearer of God. Christianity explains man’s identity (who he is), man’s purpose, and man’s destiny. Christianity begins and ends with the Triune God who established God-honoring theology by sending the Son as the Theologian par excellence and by sending the Holy Spirit to bring all things into proper focus (Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:18; 3:12). Therefore the believer answers the question: Everyone is a Theologian but which kind – by imitating Christ.
Application:
1. The congregation addressed by the author of the book of Hebrews was in a theological battle. Define it.
2. What information did the author give the congregation to help them develop as godly theologians?
3. Read Hebrews 4:14-16: mediate on the truths in the passage and write out how its truth was to be a blessing to the congregation and to God’s Church now.
Hebrews 4:14-16; Holding Firmly to the Faith: Part II
v.14: Therefore since we have this great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith that we profess.
v.15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.
v.16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 is an especially important passage in helping all believers function as good theologians. It begins a section from 4:14-7:28 that highlights the superiority of Jesus as a Person and Priest in contrast to Aaron and the Levitical priesthood. What do we learn about this High Priest? The author emphasized the reality of Christ the Person and His Messianic function as Prophet and Priest. Jesus is the final Prophet, the One who the prophets and the apostles said He was (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus was the fulfillment of the Levitical sacrificial system. The Levitical sacrificial system and the high priest played a major role in the Old Testament theology by pointing to the true sacrifice – the Lamb – and the ultimate High Priest – Jesus Christ. Sins and people were forgiven in the Old Testament but not because of the blood of blood and goats (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16. 18; 6:7; Hebrews 9:11-17, 24-28; 10:1-4). The blood of bull and goats pointed to the blood of the Lamb. Believers were saved in the Old Testament because of Christ’s ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice.
Only a designated and chosen high priest, once a year, and after he made sacrifice for himself, entered into the Most Holy Place. The high priest and the Levitical priests did not and would enter not into the heavenly sanctuary and they did not sit down at the right of the Father (6:13-20). Rather, the chosen high priest “traveled” only into the Holy of Holies once per year, never sat down, and made sacrifices for his own sins and the sins of the people (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 10:1-4). Jesus had no sin and required no sacrifice for himself. He was both the Sacrifice and the High Priest.
In verse 14 of Hebrews 4, the author wrote that Jesus had gone through, into and perhaps above the heavens – the true and final tabernacle. Jesus was the true Traveler and the Exalted One. Jesus is now in the presence of the Living God and from there carries on His work of intercession. Since this is true the believer is called to “hold on firmly and tightly” to Jesus and his gift of saving faith because Jesus is holding on to us in His position of majesty and authority.
What does it mean to hold on firmly to the faith that we profess? The call is not a suggestion. It is a proclamation and a warning. These Christians had confessed faith in Christ – the reality of a personal relationship with Christ and He with them. The people had some understanding of the supernatural work that occurs within a person’s heart at salvation (John 3:3-8). The author calls of them to remember these truths! Knowledge was not their problem. Their choice would be based on their thoughts about God and self. They were back in the Garden. Joshua 24:14-15 gave the same call to the Israelites. There is nothing new under the sun! Choose God or choose self!
Hebrews 4:14-16 is a type of commentary of Jesus’ words recorded in John 14:1-3. Jesus’ words to the apostles were also intended to help them function as good theologians. In both cases the Holy Spirit was motivating the people and apostles to hold fast their faith – to prove faithful. The author of the book of Hebrews repeated the call to members of the congregation to hold fast to their faith – its profession and expression – because He is faithful and keeps His promises (6:18-20). Jesus’ position at the right of hand God is proof of God’s trustworthiness (Colossians 3:1-3; 1 John 3:1-3).
Jesus entered into the heavens and is seated in the place of exaltation and of intercession. Yet He is still working even now (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). His priesthood never ceases. His priestly work as the perfect sacrifice has been completed, but His priestly function of intercession is ongoing. His prophetic work has been extended by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus does not leave His people. He beckons His children to come. He is not simply referring to salvation or the heavenly realms. He is telling the people that resurrection life begins now so that they have a piece of heaven now!
In verse 15, the author wrote that Jesus not only understands but He has experienced the human condition. The term sympathize derived from the Greek word carries the meaning of a similar experience and or knowledge of it. It is more than simply a feeling word. Jesus was experiencing the human condition, not simply circumstances. He defined the human experience as the tendency to self-pleasing. Throughout John’s gospel is the refrain that Jesus came to do His Father’s will and to please Him. Jesus did not fail as the first Adam did. Jesus had no sin and committed no sin but He was constantly faced with the tension between pleasing self, using His power for His benefit vs. pleasing His Father as the faithful Son. One might say that Jesus was tempted by Satan at the beginning of His earthly ministry to deny the living God. The time in the wilderness was a recapitulation of the serpent’s attack on God through Adam.
Jesus, the second Adam and last man, faced the temptation of being covenantal faithful or unfaithful throughout His life. Pleasing self or the living God was always the choice before Him. Would Jesus stay with God’s program as the Triune God had agreed in eternity past or would He opt out to please himself by using His power for His own pleasure? The answer is and was NO! Jesus remained faithful to His Father choosing to please Him (John 4:31-34). Since believers are new creatures in Christ in the new creation that He ushered in, believers are called to imitate Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Moreover, believers are seated in the very presence of Christ because they are in Christ – union with Christ (Colossians 3:1-3). Heaven has come to believers in Christ and the Holy Spirit.
These are wonderful truths such that believers are called to and are enabled to, function as good theologians and answer the question: Everyone is a Theologian but which Kind. The ultimate good theologian is one who pleases the Father because of who God is thereby becoming more like Christ out of gratitude, respect, duty, blessing, and privilege.
Application:
1. Write out your theology: its basis and its application.
2. Who takes center stage; you and self-pleasing or God and God-pleasing?
3. What falsehood do you need to put off and what biblical truth do you need to put in its place in order to function as God’s kind of theologian?
4. How does our passage enable you to get victory in the midst of trouble?
Hebrews 4:14-16: Christ Our Faithful High Priest: Part III
Christ, Theologian par excellence
v.14: Therefore since we have this great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith that we profess.
v.15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.
v.16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
The book of Hebrews can be summarized by saying it is a book that stresses the non-negotiable truth that Jesus is “better than”: the prophets (1:1-3), the angels (1:4-2:18), Moses (3:1-4:13), and Aaron and the Levitical priesthood (4:14-7:28). In a word, Jesus is GREAT. The word great implies that Jesus is in a class by himself (sui generis). He is not great as if there are other gods and beings in competition with Him. Rather, Jesus is great because He is God. Fallen man is a god to himself and attempts to forge out his own world. He is a rebel and a truth-suppressor, truth-resistor, and truth exchanger (Romans 1:18-23). Fallen man attempts to fashion a virtual reality with no god except himself.
Christ is greater than any system of reality and truth that man in his fallen, finite logic deems worthy. Christ’s priesthood, personhood, and sacrifice are far superior to Old Testament’s ritual, sacrificial system and priesthood as documental in the book of Hebrews. The reason is simple and yet complex: Jesus is God, the prefect High Priest, and the perfect Sacrifice. He is the Triune God’s way to Him!
Christ’s greatness and superiority did not exempt Him from the temptation of being covenantally unfaithful. As the second Adam, Jesus was tempted in various ways and by various beings, to use His power and position for His own gain. In fact, His God-ness and greatness guaranteed that He would be tempted. His failure would prove Satan was the winner that God could not be trusted and that God was a fraud. Such was the case with Job. Satan sought to trash God through Job.
The fact that Jesus is the Incarnate God – God in the flesh – tells us something about the Triune God. The fulfillment of the Triune’s God redemptive purpose and plan for salvation hinged on Jesus Christ and His perfect, active obedience and lawkeeping leading to the cross AND on His perfect death on the cross. The two are linked. Man was guilty in Adam and from his own sins; therefore man was guilty and condemned. He was lost, defiled, debased, and defiant. Man, in his ignorance and arrogance, did not want God’s salvation. Only God could save. Therefore, Jesus, always God, became one of us –He took on human flesh (Hebrews 2:10, 14-15). Man sinned and only God could save. Christ was both God and man without conversion, change in composition, or confusion of either of the two natures – one person and two natures. Christ was the only perfect Person whose once-for-all sacrifice would gain victory over sin, Satan, and self. Only then would the Triune God be glorified and God’s children receive earthly and eternal benefits. Life would be simplified as the Light of the Son would guide the believer via the Holy Spirit.
As a point of application, even if you feel (more accurately think) no one “has been there in your shoes,” rest assured Christ has and He understands you and your situation. He has lived in your shoes so to speak. But more: Christ is seated in the heavens and you are as well due to union with Christ (Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12). Paul in Ephesians emphasized union with Christ as a great blessing and a hope-engendering reality. Since Christ has gained victory for Himself and the Triune God, He has gained victory for believers. He expects and desires all believers irrespective of God’s providence (so often call life) to live as a victor as only those in Christ can (Romans 8:35-39).
As a Christian, you are in Christ and Christ is seated in the heavens at the Father’s right hand as the exalted Son of God (Colossians 3:1-3). These are marvelous truths. Jesus entered into the heavens into His exalted position of Lord and King. He is King and is reigning although it does not appear that is the case (Hebrews 2:8-9). Christ continues to function as the believer’s intercessor in heaven and the Spirit on earth. Christ entrance into the true Holy of Holies means that real help is no more than a prayer away. Christ is interceding for His people and woos them to boldly draw near to God’s throne of grace (also Hebrews 7:25; 10:19- 22; 11:6; 12:18, 22). Once drawing near to God was a fearful thing. Now Christ is the tried and true Helper who sent another Helper of the same kind as He is in the Person of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:13).
The repeated call of “drawing near” in the book of Hebrews emphasizes its priority, the sincerity of the One who is calling, and the resources and the help that He provides. The author of the book of Hebrews was piling up blessing after blessing based on who Christ was and is, where He is, and what He is doing and will do. He defined Christianity in such a way that only the fool would seek to be his own god and deny that fact (Romans 1:18-23).
Ask yourself as the author did to the congregation, how you can neglect such a great calling (Hebrews 3:1; 4:1; 10:19-25)? The simple answer is you can’t but sadly believers do especially when the circumstances seem out of control. God has invested Himself in every believer in spite of the believer. God brings His people into His presence in Christ and Jesus led the way. He is there awaiting His people (John 14:1-3; Hebrews 12:1-3). If you value being in God’s presence, the truth of Jesus as a Person and Priest, what He did, where He is, and who He has sent you (the Holy Spirit), you will be motivated to approach the throne of grace and draw near to God – (Hebrews 10:19-22). What does that mean? David captured it in Psalm 34:8 and Paul in Philippians 3:7-11. Experience God, invest in Him, and enjoy the pleasure of the tasting and the taste!
Application:
1. What is it that you truly need?
2. How do you know?
3. What does Hebrews 4:14-16 say that you can expect from Christ and why?
4. What qualifies Christ to make His invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace?
5. Daily, you have two choices: “go it alone” or come. Study Galatians 5:16-18 and Matthew 11:28-30 (see the blog series: Come to Jesus). How will decide? What are the results?
6. Use Hebrews 4:14-16 to help you put the above passages together. What is the result?
Everyone is a Theologian but Which Kind: Part IV
Hebrews 4:14-16: Accused and Rejected; Christ and The Believer
v.14: Therefore since we have this great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith that we profess.
v.15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.
v.16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
The word accused often suggests wrongdoing – either on the part of the one accused or the accuser. Sometimes both the accused and the accuser are sinful. Being accused is unpleasant as it must have been for Jesus, Stephen, and Paul. All were charged with blasphemy against the law, Moses, and the temple (Matthew 26:59-61; Acts 6:11; 21:28). All three had spoken and their words were interpreted. In each case, the conclusion was blasphemy. Based on the Old Testament usage of the word, these men were accused of disrespecting, reviling, and despising God. In the New Testament, the term literally means to injure one’s reputation. Jesus, Stephen and Paul were condemned based on their words. We know these facts because of the Biblical record. We also know from the Biblical record that the words of Jesus, Stephen, and Paul were wrongly interpreted. Moreover Jesus was sinless. There was no blasphemy.
In a fallen world inhabited by sinners, accusations abound. People judge and are judged. Most people want to avoid accusations and to defend themselves when faced with accusations. Being judged and judging including self and others is common.
Has God given any direction as to how to think, desire, and act when accused? God has given us biblical principles as His guide and lamp. You may think no one appreciates your situation. There is one who does (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus, our High Priest and Savior experienced accusation on top of accusation, followed by rejection. He came to His own and they did not receive Him (John 1:4-5). His apostles did not get it although they were with Him and discipled by Him (John 14:6-9; Luke 6:30; Mark 3:13-14; 6:30-31; Acts 4:13). Jesus knew what it meant to be charged with sin. More than that, He knew and knows His people, the Father, and the Spirit. Therefore, as Messiah Jesus brought an Intratrinitarian mindset to earth. He focused on making the eternal plan of the Triune God a reality. Those facts should make all the difference to the believer.
However, it is not Jesus’ experience that is our key. As wonderful as that is there is more. Jesus demonstrated what it means to be a child of God. His response in the situations (God’s providence) and to the person(s) that were involved in them was a response to God and His providence. By using His circumstances to please the Father Jesus gained victory for the Trinity, Himself and all believers. He did not simply go the cross. He lived perfectly and He died perfectly. He lived among sinners and was considered one of them even by His Father. Yet He was without sin. Jesus gained victory for every believer because every believer is in Christ.
All of these facts help believers to live by truth and avoid living the lie. Faced with trouble and turmoil including accusations, the believer will focus on the people and accusations or the God of the situation. Jesus was not alone as He lived as the Messiah but He was forsaken at the cross; in contrast, the believer is never alone because the Father forsook the Son. Therefore responding in a godly manner to God’s providence is a response to God and it too answers the question in a God-honoring way: Everyone is a Theologian but which kind. A proper response is a reality. When the people, problems, and circumstances are perceived as bigger than God the believer lives the lie. When the believer lives by feelings or falsehood (God is not here or He is here but in a troubling way), it is because the believer has jettisoned biblical truth about God, himself, and the situation. When that happens facts are further misinterpreted. Hopelessness, dissatisfaction, grumbling and complaining then follow (Philippians 2:14-18).
Application:
1. The Christian life is relational: vertical – to God, and horizontal – to man: Matthew 22:37-40. Study this passage in its relational context.
2. Define love.
3. Which one of your relationships are lacking in love?
4. Do your spiritual inventory in order to outline a plan to proceed to reconcile one to another. Rejoice that on earth all Christians are to close ranks preparing for fellowship in heaven.
Hebrews 4:14-16: Accused: Christ and The Believer Part V
v.14: Therefore since we have this great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith that we profess.
v.15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.
v.16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
Knowing that Jesus has gained victory for every believer is a source of hope and encouragement for every believer. It enables the the believer to correctly answer the question: Everyone is a Theologian But Which Kind. The fact that Jesus was accused tells us that everyone at some time also will be accused, rightly or wrongly. Believers cannot, and must not, expect God to treat them differently than He did His Son. Hebrews 4:14-16 placed Jesus in the role of high priest and pictured Him as a “regular, old sinner” (Isaiah 53:4). However, Hebrews 4:14-16 moves the bar higher than Jesus as the great Sympathizer and Experiencer. It wasn’t that Jesus, the Sinless One, was accused by man of sin and sinning that entitled Jesus to be the faithful High Priest and great Sympathizer and Experienced One. The term in the original translated as sympathize carries the idea of a similar experience. Yes, Jesus was at man’s level when He was accused. Jesus stood in the place of every believer. In that sense He is one of us. He experienced wrong accusations. Further, He modeled the God-honoring response.
But there is still more. At the cross, God forsook His Son, every believer’s representative and substitute. The Father accused Jesus of utter wretchedness as He hung on the cross in the place of every believer. He was accused of and treated as scum by the Father no less! God sent Him to hell on the cross. Jesus was rejected by the Father. No believer is rejected by the Father because he is Christ. All of that seems so surreal, mystical, and make-believe. However, every believer agreed with God’s judgment about Jesus and about himself since every believer is in Christ. Jesus experienced misery while on earth in a way that no person ever will. Jesus went to hell on the cross. The believer will never have those same experiences. There will be misery on earth yes, but the believer being in Christ has a completely different perspective of God, sin, himself, circumstances, others, and accusations.
Therefore, for the believer accusation and criticism, whether true or not, can and must be understood and responded to in a God-pleasing manner. The truths expressed in Hebrews 4:14-16 help clarify the beauty of God in Christ and the Holy Spirit. The believer knows that the accuser is God’s agent whether the accuser acknowledges it or not. Every being, including Satan, is God’s agent (see Job 1-2; 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Isaiah 44:25-45:3; Jeremiah 25:9; 27:6; 43:10). The overriding purpose of any event is for God to be glorified. When the believer uses the unpleasantness (or pleasantness) to become more like Christ God is glorified. He has answered the question – Everyone is a Theologian but Which Kind – in a God-pleasing Such is our good God’s plan, promise, power, and purpose. Moreover, He provides the believer all he needs for life and godliness in any of His providences. Such is one message of the cross. Such is one reason for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – that believers may imitate Christ as they grow in Christlikeness.
How do you respond to accusations? Unlike Jesus, believers must do a spiritual inventory according to Matthew 7:1-6, 2 Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 3:12-13; 4:13. What should follow is an honest appraisal before God. Be sure to consider how you may have made it easy for the other person to accuse you. Is there any validity to the accusation? Always consider the status of the relationship between you and the accuser. Next proceed with courageous humility and humble courage. If repentance is needed on your part, do so. If not then clarify the other person’s frame of reference. You may have to apply Matthew 18:15-18 in an effort to reconcile one to another. God’s people are not to be divided. Jesus said so in John 13:34-35. Believers know and the world must learn and eventually will know that Jesus loved the Father because He went to the cross (John 14:30-31). The world knows who Jesus’ disciples are by their love for each other which is actually a reflection of God’s love poured out on them (John 13:34-35; Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:7-12). The cross is summarized by the word love that is first and foremost Intratrinitarian. He loves people – His enemies – into the Kingdom.
Drawing near to God in prayer, fellowship, confession, and song carries a promise: you will find help, mercy, and grace. The passage reminds you of the passage in James (1:5-8). There James wrote a truth about God: He is a liberal Giver of wisdom. So ask – pray! The passages that are found in the book of Hebrews are a specific example of the truth James refers. The Triune God gives liberally because He is limitless in grace and love. So as some people were considering leaving Jesus and returning to Judaism, the author said: Whoa! Rather with boldness and not fear taste and see that Jesus is good because He is God (Psalm 34:8; Philippians 37-11)!
Application:
1. Reconsider yourself as a theologian. What is the result and why?
2. How do Hebrews 4:12-13, 14-16 help you function as a good theologian?
3. How have you changed your theology as a result of the passages mentioned in question 2 and what has been the results?