1075. You’re Secure in Christ Because of God’s Promise, Not Your Performance

In spite of whatever ups and downs you've had on this planet ... whatever inconsistencies and broken promises you've lived or experienced from others ... no matter what the struggles ... we have a guarantee. It's Jesus. While the religions of the world (often including Christianity) will tend to focus on 'our' doing, our methods, our efforts and our good deeds to be seen by others—God made an oath with Himself that you and I can't invalidate. Therefore, neither can He—because He is the one true Promise Keeper.

Behavior improvements are beneficial for us and those around us. But you are not identified by performance and what you're "doing for God." Our eternal redemption is not established on improvements but is based on 'being' perfect through an act that a Savior did for us. God will not relate to you on the basis of good or bad performance. On the other side of that coin, true peace and freedom will be more fully experienced when we stop relating to Him on the basis of our performance and begin to embrace our righteous identity that has been gifted to us by grace.




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757. Hebrews 11: Past Giants of Faith Didn’t Receive What Was Promised

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the faith chapter, or the hall of faith. The writer lists a bunch of people from the Old Testament who had performed great acts of faith—many who had never been under the law of Moses. We see a diverse group with everyone from Abel to Rahab the harlot. But the writer is making a bigger point… as he has through the letter written to his Jewish audience.

After describing the faith of these people, at the end of the chapter he explains that none of them were able to receive what was originally promised. They were not able to be made perfect through their actions. But we have received the promise through something better—the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. He is our faith, our assurance and our guarantee. It surpasses the faith of those who could perform righteous acts without ever attaining righteousness, which could only come through the person of Jesus.



   
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744. Hebrews 6: A Sure Anchor of Hope: Jesus the Forerunner Entered the Veil for Us

In our series from the book of Hebrews, it’s important to realize the writer is bringing good news and seeks to communicate a message of assurance—not fear. Everything here revolves around a certain guarantee we receive from the person of Jesus Christ. He is the one where our hope is found … not through our behavior, religious efforts and dedication.

Some Bible verses can appear to be scary on the surface when taken out of context, so keep reading and look for the refuge of assurance found only in Christ. Abraham is a great example of faith in action as he depended upon God to fulfill a promise … which ultimately would lead to a great High Priest, appointed through an oath—not the law.



   
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566. Jesus Is the Guarantee of a Better Covenant

All priests under the law of Moses came from the tribe of the Levites. Jesus came from a different tribe (Judah), which brought a change of priesthood. With Jesus becoming our High Priest, this would mean there was also a change of law. The "change" here means a transformation or removal of the former commandment under the Old Covenant. The result was God providing Jesus as a guarantee or assurance of a better covenant. The Old was annulled and the New would ensue.