The Apostle Paul, by example and by precept, calls us to have an indiscriminate love for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, those God chose to be members of Christ’s body, one test of that love being truly thanking God for each brother or sister, even those who are more difficult to see as God’s gifts to us.

The faith that marked all of those Old Testament saints who were commended by God is a sixth sense that sees beyond the evidence of our five senses and accepts as real that which the Word of God declares to be real (such as the creation of the universe by the Word of God) and the future promises of God.

Those who know the Truth of the Gospel need to beware of rejecting the Truth and the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, since the judgment of God is real, fearful and eternal for those who spurn the Son of God, profane the blood of the covenant and outrage the Spirit of grace.

Since believers have confidence to come into God’s presence on the merits of Jesus’ sacrifice and His present work as our great high priest, we are summoned to draw near, to hold fast to our confession and to stir up one another to love and good works.

Those who persevere in the faith have a radical reputation for joyful Gospel reception amidst affliction as as they eagerly await deliverance at Christ’s return.

Believers in Jesus Christ can be sure that our fortunes are secure in our King, who rescues every captive soul and causes all to share alike in the rich inheritance of God’s grace.

Jesus Christ, having offered a single sacrifice for sins, did away for the need of the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, assumed His rightful place of universal rule and grants full forgiveness of sins to all who embrace Him by faith, since they are now regarded as perfect because of the work of Christ.

Since the repeated Old Testament animal sacrifices did not have the power to take away sins or make the worshipers perfect, Christ willingly entered the world, taking a body so that He could die once for all, thus doing away with the Old Testament system and providing a way that all who trust in Him could be made perfect in the sight of God.

Biblical giving, motivated by the incomparable gift of Jesus Christ, is good for our souls since it breaks the stranglehold of money, brings glory to God and confers great eternal blessing on the giver.