Before starting this study please read Hebrews 13:20-21; then, read the fifth chapter of Galatians. The title of our lesson is taken form Galatians 5:7. The phrase “through the blood of the ever-lasting covenant:” found in Hebrews 13:20 is a junction between verse 20 and 21. First, it is through the everlasting covenant of grace which establishes God as “the God of peace.” Second, the blood of the covenant brought peace to the lost sinner, in that it atoned for their sins. Third, it was through this same atoning blood which made it judicially possible for God to restore fellowship with His beloved Son. Fourth, the blood of the everlasting covenant fulfilled every condition demanded by God to reconcile the sinner to himself.
“MAKE YOU PERFECT:” It is further by and through the everlasting covenant that depraved sinners are quickened to newness of life and given the Holy Spirit. God the Spirit now dwells in us and enables us to do the will of the God of peace. The fundamental meaning of the word perfect as it is used in this verse is to put a thing in its appropriate condition; to make a perfect fit. It is through the blood of the everlasting covenant that the children of God are made to fit His will. Paul exhorts the Corinthian church to member to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” He closes his second letter to the Corinthian church in chapter 13:11 and 12 by instructing them to “be perfect.” The same word is used in this verse as in our text.
“WORKING IN YOU:” What is it that motivates the child of God to follow after righteousness? It is God the Holy Spirit working in us. Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.” Notice in these verses that we are first exhorted to work out our salvation. We are to mortify the flesh, and seek to do the will of God. In order to make a perfect fit, there must be a concerted effort on the part of the believer. Sin of any kind will keep you from being perfectly fit for the will of God; 2 Timothy 2:19 ¶ “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” This lesson is too long to finish, but too short to break off; nevertheless, it is probably better to cut it in half than to go too long. We will continue next issue. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
