Hebrews 8:1-6

Hebrews 8:1-6 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.

God is not a man that He should be mocked. Everyone will someday recognize all that we see in the temple as the truth. God commanded Moses to build a tabernacle exactly as he was told. Moses could not put his own ideas into the building of the tabernacle: he knew God wanted it built to his exact instructions. This is the truth of God's Word. We cannot put our own ideas into the scriptures; we must believe the Holy Spirit inspired men to record God's definitive words to us. God will judge any ideas, doctrines, and expressions of worship that do not conform to the written will of God. HE WILL NOT BE MOCKED. In the Bible, we see the Israelites serving in a sanctuary that was a copy or a shadow of HEAVEN. Worshipping God is serious business. We do not define our faith or decide how we worship; God decides that. We cannot take one part of the scriptures and expand it beyond the spiritual measurements God intended, and we cannot take verses and shrink them into less than God planned. In spirit and in truth, we must worship and serve the God revealed in the scriptures. God will reject all else as a false imitation of the truth.

In our fleshly spirits, we sometimes cavalierly approach God as if He doesn't care how we live or act. We bring him our worst, not our best. We are like the children of Israel. Rather than giving him their best sacrifice, they sometimes brought an injured or imperfect lamb, one that held little benefit for them and would not increase the value of their flocks. God wants our best, our first fruits. We do not offer God our gifts on special occasions or yearly as the Jews did. We abide in the very presence of God through and in Jesus Christ; therefore, we offer him our best, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to him. The blood of bulls and goats does not stand between us and God, for we continually experience the precious cleansing blood of the perfect Lamb of God who gave himself for us. No longer experiencing the shadow and copy of God's eternal dwelling place, we now dwell with him and boldly come before God's throne of grace. Therefore, children, we should live with reverence toward God and the goodness He has showered on us, gladly serving him and loving others.

To live haphazardly, thinking God will bless us regardless of our attitudes or actions, tempts God's wrath. God is not mocked, and He disciplines his rebellious or wayward children. We cannot choose selfish and sinful living and then run to the Father when we need help. He will not accept our sacrifice of tears when we treat him in this way, ignoring him and giving him less than our best. We should respect the Holy Spirit who woos us to exemplify Christ as we walk this earth. When we disrespect God and rudely push the Holy Spirit out of our self-centered lives, we reveal our lack of love for God. We show disrespect when we do not love and follow God with all our strength and might. We disrespect him if we do not forgive others and love them as we love ourselves. If we walk around bitter and angry towards others, we show contempt for the Spirit and we mock God. We mock God when we build the tabernacle to our own dimensions, when we do not worship as his Word commands. In disobedience, we create our own god, our own religion. God will not tolerate willful disobedience or lukewarm living. If we fail to turn to him in repentance, He will discipline us or WE WILL FALL AWAY FROM THE TRUTH. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. (1 John 1:6 ) The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4) John further beseeches us, Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18) As ambassadors of the true tabernacle in heaven, the holy and pure abode found in Jesus Christ OUR LORD, let us live lives that please God and lead others to him.