Therefore He is also able to save completely

... those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them  (Hebrews 7:25).  Every coin has two sides, and to know the truth,  we need to know both sides. In particular, there are many precepts in Scripture that need to be held together in tension. Christ, for example, was both fully God, and  fully man. As man He is able to sympathize with our weakness as He was tempted at all points as we are,  yet without sin (4:15). As   God, He has all power,  and is able to save completely.  And  He keeps right on working in us until the day of our glorification (Philippians 1:6).  On another point, the book of Hebrews is full of warnings about our part in not falling away,  and about continuance (i.e. 2:3; 8:9). But again in this morning's verse,  we have the assurance that He saves completely those who have fled to Jesus for refuge (6:18). He does this through Christ's intercession in His role as a priest “after the order of  Melchizedek” (5:6).


Many of the things we read about in the Old Testament are described as “shadows of things to come,”  the substance however, is Christ (Colossians 2:17). The shadows help us to understand the deep things of God.  The Old Testament priesthood, and the sacrificial system are likewise shadows.  The abomination of child sacrifice practiced in Old Testament times by many heathen nations,  has a certain perverse logic, “the fruit of my body,  for the sin of my soul” (Micah 6:7). No doubt  this was inspired by daemons, but the Lord declares that He neither commanded it, nor was it in His heart (Jeremiah 7:31).  What I am saying, is that there is a sort of innate understanding that the only way for sin to be forgiven,  is through substitutionary sacrifice.  We are given shadows of it then, in the Jewish sacrificial system. However “it is impossible that the blood of (innocent) bulls and goats should take away sins” (10:4).  And the substance of these shadows then,  is the sacrifice of the perfect and innocent lamb of God Jesus,  who takes away the sin of the world  (John 1:29; Genesis 22:8).

Likewise the Old Testament priesthood was a shadow of the Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus.  He is both priest and sacrifice. He is eternal (7:3), and therefore “ever lives,”  and He ever lives to make intercession for us. My understanding is that this is not independent of our involvement.  Our part at times is groanings which cannot be uttered, speaking in tongues (Romans 8:26), and our own petitions.  Coming back to our complete salvation, the Scripture asks “Who then condemns us?” And answers “No one. It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:1, 34).

Father, what shall we say then, if Christ be for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31).  There is purpose Father in our understanding the deep things of God, and it is that we should more fully know,  and be secure in Your extravagant healing love. You are always there ready to receive and forgive, and to encourage us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). Thank You Lord for Your tender mercies.  We give You the praise and glory again this morning in His magnificent Name Amen.