‏ Hebrews 3

* The superior worth and dignity of Christ above Moses is shown.

(1-6) The Hebrews are warned of the sin and danger of unbelief.

(7-13) And of necessity of faith in Christ, and of stedfastly

following him. (14-19)

1-6 Christ is to be considered as the Apostle of our

profession, the Messenger sent by God to men, the great Revealer

of that faith which we profess to hold, and of that hope which

we profess to have. As Christ, the Messiah, anointed for the

office both of Apostle and High Priest. As Jesus, our Saviour,

our Healer, the great Physician of souls. Consider him thus.

Consider what he is in himself, what he is to us, and what he

will be to us hereafter and for ever. Close and serious thoughts

of Christ bring us to know more of him. The Jews had a high

opinion of the faithfulness of Moses, yet his faithfulness was

but a type of Christ's. Christ was the Master of this house, of

his church, his people, as well as their Maker. Moses was a

faithful servant; Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is rightful

Owner and Sovereign Ruler of the Church. There must not only be

setting out well in the ways of Christ, but stedfastness and

perseverance therein to the end. Every meditation on his person

and his salvation, will suggest more wisdom, new motives to

love, confidence, and obedience. 7-13 Days of temptation are often days of provocation. But to

provoke God, when he is letting us see that we entirely depend

and live upon him, is a provocation indeed. The hardening of the

heart is the spring of all other sins. The sins of others,

especially of our relations, should be warnings to us. All sin,

especially sin committed by God's professing, privileged people,

not only provokes God, but it grieves him. God is loth to

destroy any in, or for their sin; he waits long to be gracious

to them. But sin, long persisted in, will make God's wrath

discover itself in destroying the impenitent; there is no

resting under the wrath of God. "Take heed:" all who would get

safe to heaven must look about them; if once we allow ourselves

to distrust God, we may soon desert him. Let those that think

they stand, take heed lest they fall. Since to-morrow is not

ours, we must make the best improvement of this day. And there

are none, even the strongest of the flock, who do not need help

of other Christians. Neither are there any so low and despised,

but the care of their standing in the faith, and of their

safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours, that

we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile;

it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but

performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one

sin allowed makes way for another; and every act of sin confirms

the habit. Let every one beware of sin. 14-19 The saints' privilege is, they are made partakers of

Christ, that is, of the Spirit, the nature, graces,

righteousness, and life of Christ; they are interested in all

Christ is, in all he has done, or will do. The same spirit with

which Christians set out in the ways of God, they should

maintain unto the end. Perseverance in faith is the best

evidence of the sincerity of our faith. Hearing the word often

is a means of salvation, yet, if not hearkened to, it will

expose more to the Divine wrath. The happiness of being

partakers of Christ and his complete salvation, and the fear of

God's wrath and eternal misery, should stir us up to persevere

in the life of obedient faith. Let us beware of trusting to

outward privileges or professions, and pray to be numbered with

the true believers who enter heaven, when all others fail

because of unbelief. As our obedience follows according to the

power of our faith, so our sins and want of care are according

to the prevailing of unbelief in us.