Hope Anchors the Soul

Hope Anchors the Soul:

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (Hebrews 6:19)

This world in which we reside today is much like an ocean with its changing tides and fragile features. The world is quickly distraught and disorganised, and this perilous propensity can easily cause loosely tied souls to fall overboard. In short, the world is very quick-tempered, so it's imperative to understand "The Certainty of God's Promise" as this passage of Hebrews chapter six is titled.

"Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged." (Hebrews 6:17-18)

God has made His marvellous promise perfectly perspicuous. We are to reach out and firmly grasp onto this hope He has made so readily available to each one of us as His loved children. This isn't simply wishful thinking, but eternal hope for which we can be ecstatically eager in confident expectation. Let's continue in Hebrews chapter six.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:19-20)

Jesus is our high priest Who has entered into the Most Holy Place on our behalf. He entered with a majestic and heroic tear in the veil which had previously kept us separated from God, the Holy King of kings.

"Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." (Mark 15:38)

"Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised" (Matthew 27:51-52)

Jesus the Messiah's work on that cross, His intercession for our benefit, is what has defeated death once and for all. Sin has no hold over those who have accepted Christ the Lord. Jesus came and set the record straight. He fulfilled the law and established a new covenant, and when we take hold of that promise, our souls are anchored unflinchingly and immovably.

"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." (Hebrews 7:18-19)

Amazing! Did you catch that? Jesus, our forever high priest, came to set aside the former law of legalistic regulations that solely depended upon continual sacrifices to cover the sins of the people. Now that He's come however, Jesus has fulfilled the ultimate sacrifice! He is the One true atonement for all sins that have ever been committed and all sins that will ever be committed.

"This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings - external regulations applying until the time of the new order." (Hebrews 9:9-10)

I'd like to bring prominence to this phrase "the new order" in Hebrews nine verse ten. This phrase is derived from the Greek word διόρθωσις (diorthōsis).

This word is a very crucial word to understand in our studies this morning. The word διόρθωσις means to correct something that has become misaligned. A good way to put this is how it's used in Hebrews 9:10.

The old law offered up sacrifice after sacrifice only to what conclusion? In Hebrews 7:19 we see that "the law made nothing perfect." What then is the outcome? Of course, God knew about our futile attempts to accomplish atonement for ourselves from the very beginning. Ever since the first iniquity, God had a plan for our redemption. What fantastic news this is!

In Hebrews 7:19, the Greek words used in the phrase "made nothing perfect" imply that the law was unable to administer the correction and completion necessary to perfect righteousness to humanity. This phrase is a stark contrast to the phrase found in Hebrews 9:10 (διόρθωσις).

In Hebrews 9:10, διόρθωσις is used to depict a purifying provision brought about by the Lord Jesus Himself. He is all powerful, all able; nothing is too difficult for Him to accomplish. Nothing is impossible with our Lord, therefore it should come as no shock that διόρθωσις is also used to depict the new system and configuration for the washing of sins and renewal of right standing with God.

This brand new way, or "the new order" as it's written in the verse, is founded and built up in Christ alone. Jesus is the One Who bought us the New Covenant - the covenant of His own blood. By His stripes we are restored.

Our brokenness is healed because of His crucifixion. The dead areas of our lives are resurrected in His glorious Life because of His victorious resurrection. We are cleansed by Him, loved by Him, accepted and transformed inside our souls by Him.

This is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is the Promised One that God has given to us as the final sacrifice. No longer must we live drowning in confusion and condemnation, for the blood of the Lamb of God has covered over ever iniquity and infused every empty soul with eternal life and hope.

We're tethered to this merciful hope in Christ, and steadfastly anchored to Him in a world that's tossed to and fro by immorality, wrongdoings, and sinfulness. In the midst of a fallen world, we find refuge in the Holy One.

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalms 18:2)

Let's lower the ropes today, and secure our anchor in Christ Jesus. He alone is worthy to be praised; He alone is mighty to save. He is the manifestation of God's redeeming Love, and through His wondrous work we have eternal, unfailing hope. He is a stronghold for us, a sturdy shelter that shall never fall. How wonderful! We are forever kept in His mighty hands! We need not fear the storms of this life, for we are anchored firmly in the Lord Jesus Christ.

-The Introverted Evangelist

Photograph Taken By: Jon Courville