September 25, 2012

I CAN'T MAKE GOD LOVE ME MORE

Hebrews 2

Vickers Sanchez
Tuesday's Devo

September 25, 2012

Tuesday's Devo

September 25, 2012

Central Truth

Oh how He loves me!

Key Verse | Hebrews 2:9

[S]o that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)

Hebrews 2

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The Founder of Salvation

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
    or the son of man, that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
    you have crowned him with glory and honor, 1 2:7 Some manuscripts insert and set him over the works of your hands
    putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. 2 2:11 Greek all are of one That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 3 2:11 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 12 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Footnotes

[1] 2:7 Some manuscripts insert and set him over the works of your hands
[2] 2:11 Greek all are of one
[3] 2:11 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 12

Dive Deeper | Hebrews 2

I was recently challenged to shut my eyes, think about the Lord and all of His infinite goodness, and determine at what point in my life I thought He loved me the most.

My first thought was how hard I have worked to change my life and live in a way that is glorifying to Him. Of course that should win my Savior's love! But if not, I had a back up answer: He loved me the most on that beautiful day 15 years ago when I told Him I needed a Savior and trusted in Him for my salvation.

As I opened my eyes, I was feeling proud, patting myself on the back, secure in my answers. That feeling didn't last long, though, as I heard the individual who had issued the challenge say that there is nothing I could do to make the Lord love me more! What?

I have issues. I have done everything I know to eradicate them: prayer, community, confession, and counseling. I have felt unworthy of being loved by an awesome God who is so perfect. He is so perfect that He made the perfect provision by sending His Son to die on the cross for me. That action frees me from trying to earn His love, and I can now make changes in my life because of His love for me. All the changes I've made have been good, but they have not made the Lord love me more.

My second thought had to be the answer. The day I accepted the Lord as my Savior was the day, for sure, when God loved me most! Wrong again! It's amazing to know that God doesn't love me more now that I am following Him than when I was wallowing in sin. That means that God loves sinners! As it says in Hebrews 2:9, by the grace of God, Christ tasted death for EVERYONE!

I have a newfound confidence that comes from knowing that God profoundly loves me in spite of my struggles. That love is so undeserved, but yet He loves me. Oh how He loves me!

Discussion Questions

1. How would you answer the question, "When do you feel God loves you most?

2. What is your motivation for making changes in your life? Is it to earn favor with the Lord?

3. How do you define grace?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

September 24-28 (Hebrews 1-5)

Read Hebrews 4:12-16.

• What is the Word of God?
• To what did the writer of Hebrews compare God's Word?
• What does it mean that His Word exposes our thoughts and desires?
• How does it make you feel to know that nothing you think or do is hidden from God?
• Who is our High Priest that has entered heaven?
• What does it says that Jesus understands about us?
• How does it make you feel to know that Jesus experienced all the temptations that you face?
• What was different about Him?
• Is it comforting for you to know that Jesus, who died for your sins, knows and understands you?

Activity: Talk about what it means to be tempted and the difference between being tempted and sinning. When you are tempted, what can you do to keep from sinning? Take time to think through different scenarios as a family and discuss what the temptations are and how you can say "no" to the temptations. (Examples: a friend is mean to you at school, your boss treats you unfairly at work, someone says something untrue about you at school or work, a grocery clerk gives you back too much change, etc.)

Throughout the week, take time at dinner to talk about ways that you were tempted throughout the day and what choices you made, either to fall to the temptation and sin, or to resist the temptation. Then pray together, thanking Jesus for His sacrifice to pay for all of our sins.