Journal Heb 10 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: But when Christ had offered (for all time) a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them (after those days), declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts, and
Write them on their minds,”… (and) then he adds,
I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.”
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin (necessary, my note). Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus—by the new and living way that he opened for us the curtain (to the holy places), that is, through his flesh…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith… (excerpts from Heb 10:12-22)
Observation: My hunch is that this section of Hebrews should be linked to the principle of being “born again”. How clear a definition in substance can there be?
Analysis: I have used the example of “rebooting my internal hard drive” as a description of what being “born again” is like. Sometimes a mental picture is necessary to imagine what the results should be like.
I note that the description of God’s Covenant is all His, and is internal change to us, nothing external:
I will put my laws on their hearts, and
Write them on their minds,”… (Heb 10:16b)
I have personally titled this concept as “reflexive Christianity.” Yeah, I know, kind of corny, but if I don’t give it an objective title, I tend to not focus. Besides, I want to be reflexive in my following Christ—I want to move away from the trite question “What would Jesus do?” and do what the Word of God says by burrowing doctrines, precepts, and principles into my heart and mind. I remember that Paul says to Timothy:
“…you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed…train yourself for godliness…(for) godliness is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and the lift to come…Command and teach these things…Practice these things—Immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (Excerpts from 1 Tim 4:8-15)
Why do I train myself in godliness? So, when I get on the field of play (the field of play being anytime I am out of bed, rousing from a time of sleep), I don’t have to think of fundamentals (remember in Heb 5:11-14 about taking milk all the time and not going forward into meat?) and I can go to “…solid food for the mature, having my senses (powers of discernment) trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:14; Rick’s paraphrase)
Corollary: If I think that I might have arrived, it is a clear sign that I haven’t. So, if I think that I am out of the “milk” stage, maybe think again. I am told this is a “clue” in police work.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your covenant towards me. Thank you that you set the terms and that you are faithful to your promises.
Thank you that you have changed me, rebooted my operating system, caused me to be born again.
Empower me to walk and increase in godliness the rest of my days.
Amen.