HEART ESTABLISHED BY GRACE

“Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the HEART be ESTABLISHED by GRACE…” – Hebrews 13:9a

One vital secret to Victory in Life is a HEART ESTABLISHED by GRACE: “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be ESTABLISHED by GRACE, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them” (Heb.13:9). Other translations refer to a HEART STRENGTHENED by GRACE (NIV). Our meditation passage contains the epistle’s concluding instructions on practical Christian conduct for Believers in Christ. It also contrasts components of the old covenant with the ministry of Jesus Christ. Specifically, verse 9 contrasts the disposal of sacrificed animals in the Old covenant with Jesus' crucifixion; noting that both occurred “outside”: “outside the camp” and “outside the gate” (v.11b-13).  

The main theme of Hebrews is that Christ is meant to be our ultimate Example. The covenant offered to us by Jesus is far superior to that provided in human temples. The warning against strange teachings follows an important point made in the prior verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (v.8). The entire book of Hebrews explains in great detail that God's Personality and Will do not change. The New Covenant is not a “plan B”! It was something God intended from the very beginning. Likewise, Jesus Christ and His Gospel are the same all through history. The implication is clear: Fluid or changing doctrine is false doctrine!

This is why Believers are admonished “to contend earnestly for the faith which was ONCE FOR ALL delivered to the saints” (Jd. 1:3). Those who attempt to twist the message of the gospel are subject to a curse: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal.1:8–9). Of course, as imperfect people, we would admit the possibility that we might have misinterpreted God's Word, or His Will; hence the need to “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1The.5:21). Acts 17:11 says of Berean Believers: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

False teachings, such as doctrines that mix grace and Jewish or other rituals and customs, have emerged repeatedly throughout the ages. They’ve in many instances bewitched the minds of some Believers, thrown others into confusion, and caused conflict within the Church. This is why we are to remain strengthened, steadfast and established IN GRACE. Understanding grace combats such strange doctrine: “And of His fullness we have all received, and GRACE for GRACE. For the law was given through Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ” (Jh.1:16-17). Jesus came with the Message of Grace: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – God’s unmerited favour and spiritual blessing heaped on us through Him. What we cannot do, God did through Jesus.

Grace reminds us that there is not one thing that we can add to what Jesus did, to earn salvation! Established in GRACE, this TRUTH combats anything contrary to it. We do not strive to live holy by keeping the law; by Grace, God has made us holy, having been fashioned after Him “in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24 ). We no longer have to adhere to Jewish dietary laws because the kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17).  GRACE is able to keep us in the TRUTH and to strengthen and encourage us throughout life. We begin by Grace and we end in Grace; it is a constant that will never change. What should be our response to these amazing realities is Praise: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (v.15).