[Biblemat] A) BETTER THINGS

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Wednesday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my files:

BETTER THINGS

     Those who lived during the time of the Old Testament re-
ceived good things from God through His prophets, and His
longsuffering and grace were demonstrated in manifold ways
(Jos. 23:14; Psa. 34:10; Exo. 34:6,7).  While they received good things, God 
was preparing better things for us and our
times in His crowning deeds of lovingkindness and mercy
through the fulfillment of His promises (Heb. 11:39,40).  We
cannot be properly thankful for the better things in Christ un-
less we consider them well and perceive why they are better.

     The letter to the Hebrew saints was written in part to show
those Christians who had lived under Moses' Law how the
things of Christ are better and thus to strengthen their faith
and steadfastness.  After all, why should they (or we) want to
go back to what was good, but not as good as the better things we have come 
to enjoy through our Redeemer?  There
really is no way that anyone can have, through subjecting him-
self to the First Covenant, what every faithful saint enjoys in
full in Jesus Christ.  Please think on these things.

     Better promises, promises of redemption, atonement, and
adoption as Christians, were the basis of a better covenant
which brought with it a better hope of an eternal inheritance
(Heb. 8:6; 7:22,19).  That inheritance is incorruptible and un-
defiled, safe from robbers and thieves and the decay of time
(1 Pet. 1:3-5; Matt. 6:20).  Please observe the progression of
God's plan.  Promises were made of a new and better coven-
ant (Jer. 31:31-34).  Jesus came in fulfillment of promises (Isa. 7:14; 9:6) 
to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10).  He pro-
vided a better sacrifice which could take away sins (Heb. 9:23)  Through His 
sacrificial death, He became a merciful High Priest with a greater Priesthood, 
taking away sins and ever living to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:21-28).  
His res-
urrection has given us hope of sharing in a better resurrect-
ion (Heb. 11:35) than merely physical restoration of life.  He
provided for us the new tabernacle, which the Lord pitiched
and not man (Heb. 8:2; 9:11-14).  There, with His own blood
He obtained eternal redemption for us, a truly great salvation
(Heb. 2:2-4).  Through Him we are children of God and thus
heirs and partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light (1
Jno. 3:1-10; Col. 1:12; Heb. 10:34; 11:16,26).

     Perhaps through this study we all may appreciate more the better things 
God has provided for us.  Then we can be
more grateful for the spiritual blessings in Christ.  When we
set these better things in contrast to the transient things of 
this world, we can properly value those things that are truly
valuable, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteous-
ness.  We should be moved to hold fast to the faith and not
be moved away from the hope of the gospel.  After all, the 
world can only temporarily numb our senses and give us momentary pleasure 
which blinds us to the greater joy of
things eternal.  We see the emptiness of carnal things when
we ponder death and eternity.  May God help us to think soberly, to set our 
minds on things above, and to treasure
the better things -- the truly valuable things that God has set
before us.        --------- Gilbert Alexander.   </HTML>
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