Words
Of Inspiration From Our Pastor
18that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible
for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have
fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19which
hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,
and which entereth into that within the veil;
(Hebrews 6:18, 19)
I have written this week with the Lord's help
about "Hope, The Anchor of Our Soul!" The scripture
text for this article comes from the book of Hebrews. The
author of this book is anonymous (unnamed or uncertained).
This book was written to the Christian Jews (the Hebrews)
who were being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus
Christ; and were being tempted to forsake Christianity and
return to Judaism. The theme of the book of Hebrews is the
superiority of Jesus Christ. The key word in Hebrews is "better"
and is used thirteen times in this book. The background scripture
for this article is (Hebrews 6:9-20. The author writes an
encouragement to the church to continue in their faithfulness
to Jesus Christ and to inherit the unchangeable promises of
God; and to make Hope, The Anchor of Their Soul.
For this Pastor's Desk, we want to focus our attention upon
two scriptures: (Hebrews 6:9-12) and (Hebrews 6:17-19). (Hebrews
6:9-12) says = 9But, beloved, we are persuaded better things
of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus
speak. 10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that
ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we
desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to
the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12that ye be not
slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience
inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:17-19) says = 17Wherein God,
willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise
the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible
for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have
fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19which
hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,
and which entereth into that within the veil;
The author of these two passages of scripture was writing
an encouragement to the persecuted saints who were almost
ready to give up their belief in Jesus Christ and return to
Judaism. He told them to hold on to their hope unto the end.
God cannot lie; he will fulfill his promises to them. And
let this hope be an anchor for their soul, both sure and stedfast,
which entereth into that within the veil;
These two
scriptures are also applicable (capable of being applied)
to Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church, and to all the saints
of God. God is telling us that he desires everyone of us to
shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto
the end, and that we should not b slothful, but be followers
of them who through faith and patience will inherit the promises
of God. For when God made a promise to Abraham that he would
have a son, God could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Read: (Romans 4:18-21) (Hebrews 6:13-15).
Always remember that it is impossible for God to lie. What
he has promised us shall come to pass. Let us lay hold upon
the hope set before us! We are looking for the glorious appearing
of our Lord and Saviour: Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13) (I Peter
1:13); we are looking for the fulfillment of our hope of eternal
life. (Titus 1:2) (I Peter 1:3-5); and we are looking for
our hope of future glory and wearing a robe of righteousness.
(Colossians 1:27) (Revelation 19:7, 8). Make "Hope, The
Anchor of Our Soul!" "An anchor that is both sure
and stedfast, until we reach what God has for us beyond the
veil! A'men.
Suffragan Bishop Charles L. Smith, D.D.
June 4, 2023
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