( HEBREWS 6:19-20 )

WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF OUR SOUL, BOTH SURE AND STEDFAST, AND WHICH ENTERETH INTO THAT WITHIN THE VEIL; ( 20 ) WHITHER THE FORERUNNER IS FOR US ENTERED, EVEN JESUS, MADE AN HIGH PRIEST FOR AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC.

Within these two verses, the Apostle Paul is bringing together all that he has been speaking about in all of this chapter and even before in Hebrews. I’d like to start this today by making some comparisons as examples. First of all, let’s consider the earth we live on. Would you agree with me that most of what it’s made up of we cannot sell? Most of it is just dirt, simple dirt. The things of value such as gold, silver, diamonds and so on are much harder to come by. Can you see how we can use that as a spiritual lesson?

In this chapter; we see where God called out a man man named Abraham to bring about a nation, ( Israel ). Actually, this same thing we see here has happened twice before in a spiritual sense. God created man, placed him in a garden, he failed. God called Noah to build an Ark, eight souls were saved, a new beginning, sin once again overtook them. Now we see Abraham and the nation of Israel.

When comparing the rare values we find in this earth such as gold silver and precious stone, we can say that ( The Nation of Israel ) was suppose to be that very precious part upon this earth. It was to be ( the very power of God ) revealed in one nation, one people. If they, being completely obedient to God, they would be the very controlling force upon the face of this earth overtaking every other people in time. The problem, they failed to be obedient to God the Father. They were to be the city on the mountiantop so to speak.

With this being said, it was never about anything physical or, anything they might gain. It was always about God’s voice being amplified through that nation, God’s will being done on this whole earth. It has to do with ( the anchor of the Soul ). Whether we are speaking of a nation or, just any one person it’s all about God’s Spirit living and thriving within them.

We see the term here: ( entereth into that within the veil ). What do we ( enter into ) within the veil? This question is what Israel struggled to understand and, many people still struggle with it today. I’d like to use ( Noah’s Ark as an example here. On the day that God told Noah to enter the Ark, he and his family, what more could they do? ( Their hope ) was within that Ark. And that, by faith. When they entered that Ark, the door to that Ark stayed opened for seven days after they entered. Any person that had a desire to; could have come within that Ark, by faith. However, as some point ( God himself closed that door ).

When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, the veil of the temple was rent from top tp bottom. Can you see ( an open door ) there? We can read that in:

( Matthew 27:51 )

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

This event happened the very second that Jesus Christ gave up the Ghost on the Cross of Calvary. Up until the very moment, any person that went behind that veil would die instantly, even the High Priest if he hadn’t followed the ( letter of the law ) to perfection. We can read that and, study it in Exodus and Leviticus.

Jesus Christ had just become the fulfilment of the law for every man.

( Matthew 5:17 )

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, of the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Jesus Christ done what no other human could even attempt to do. He kept the law to perfection; thereby pleasing God the Father. He became the veil that the Jews were use to seening. That is what was and is so hard for many to see. Now, let’s go back to ( Noah’s Ark ). If any person, this includes Noah and his family, made the choice to enter the Ark, it didn’t mean they were any less sinners did it? It simply meant that they had placed their faith in the words that Noah preached and, the vessel that was being prepared for their protection.

When Jesus Christ became the spiritual equal to the veil that was rent, it means that when we trust or, place our faith in his finished work on Calvary, we enter into that veil. He is that spiritual veil. We, enter into an ( anchor for our souls ) ( sure and stedfast ) when we enter into that veil.

Just like Noah and his family weren’t trusting in their ability not to sin within the Ark, we are not depenting on our ability not to sin in Christ. Just as Noah and his family depended on God to keep the Ark secure, we depend on the ( righteousness of Christ ) to keep our souls secure.

( Philippians 3:9 )

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

( Romans 3:20-24 )

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ( 21 ) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ( 22 ) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ( 23 ) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ( 24 ) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

When we are willing to walk behind the veil of law, realize that we are completely guilty as charged of it completely and, unable to help ourselves, we can’t keep it! The fact we confess that and, realize that Jesus Christ became sin for us, nailing all our sin to his cross:

( Colossians 2:14 )

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

When we are willing to walk behind one veil, we enter into a covering of his blood. We aren’t depending on our righteousness; past, present or future tense to keep us secure in Christ. It’s his righteousness we are secure in. He is the anchor of our soul that keeps us ( sure and stedfast ).

I know I’ve probably made this point before but, we must understand it. In a basic sense what the Jewish people, the Hebrews were use to doing was this; each year they would come and make an offereing for their sin to the high priest. He would take it behind that veil and, for one more year they would go back home and continue as they were. They would do this year after year.

So, what did God prove with the simple flesh of the Hebrew people. He proved that withinn the simple flesh of man it is impossible to be pleasing to God. Something else is needed. Within the concept of ( the righteousness of Christ ) what is needed has been fulfilled. There are many people that say they believe in Christ but, at the same time seek to continue to please him by keeping the law. They have the same mindset as the Jews had. We will continue to sin, then offer our sacrifice. Many people want to see their sin, confess that sin and, expect God to place them back on speaking terms ( so to speak ) because they confessed their sin. At the same time, go back out and continue as they have always been.

Now, what was it about Jesus Christ that enabled him to live above sin? It was God in him. In the process of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the end product was the ability of that same spirit to come and live in those that believe. When we, by faith, admit we are unable to be pleasing to God the father in our flesh ( walk behind that veil ) and, except the righteousness of Jesus Christ as our covering, we also now receive the ( gift of th Holy Ghost ). The very same spirit that lived in Jesus Christ now will come and abide within those that except Christ by faith. ( That act ) is being born again. God’s spirit now lives within a sincured body, like mine.

If we will be honest; We were sinners before that spirit moved within our bodies! ( we are sinners ) and will be as long as we live. By the power of ( the gift ) of the Holy Spirit; God wants us to see and recognize our sin and, turn from it when we see it. His spirit, not only shows us our sin but, gives us the strength to turn from that sin. We also understand, because of the knowledge he gives us that we are ( weak through our flesh ). That means that we are still very like to fall back into that same sin pattern.

Within his love, mercy and grace, he knows that! He tells us this:

( 1 John 1:9 )

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What do we see within that verse? We see a savior that is faithful and just. However, that verse is not there to give us the ability to sin or, to live in sin. Now, let’s read this whole group of verses:

( 6 ) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

What is having fellowship with him? If Jesus Christ is living within you, he’s walking along with you as you walk through your ( born again ) life. He’s speaking to you and, you are speaking to him. It’s just like you and any other friend would be walking along and talking, sharing together. If you have a thought of doing something, saying something that is unrighteous, he speaks and let’s you know his displeasure in what you are doing or saying.

If we, with our mouth say he is in us but, we still live in darkness do ungodly things, then what we say is a lie, we are simply not telling the truth.

( 7 ) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. That fellowship ( one with another ) is fellowship between Jesus Christ and you or I.

I’d like to use an example here. When I was a boy, even on up into my teen years and as a young adult. I cursed and smoked cigarettes. However, my mom and dad never knew I done either. I didn’t do those things in front of them. Of course, I’ll just mention those two, there were other things as well. Therefore, actually I didn’t have fellowship with my parents did I? They actually didn’t know who I was, I was doing things in darkness that needed to be brought to the light.

If I cursed or smoked in front of my parents, judgement was coming. Therefore, I could not go behind that veil. Now, what if my parents found out that I smoked and cursed? What if they would have told me, if you want to smoke and curse, you don’t have to hide it, we love you and simply want what’s best for you. Now, I can step behind that veil in fellowship. More than likely, I wouldn’t have cursed or smoked in front to of them and, Their very actions might have caused me to change my sinful habits even when I wasn’t around them.

Now, look at this net verse:

( 8 ) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in is.

What if I, being away from my parents and with my friends, cursed and smoked? However, when I got home, being in fellowship with my parents shared with them, without the fear of judgement what I had done. What if their actions would have been this, well son; that’s not wise on your part. Because you are allowing the mindset of others influence you and guide you. They don’t love you like we do. However, you confessed it so therefore, you’re forgiven.

Can you see how they knew I was a sinner, I knew I was a sinner but, my fellowship with my parents could help me to mature? If I just live or stay in darkness, I can’t mature! Another problem that comes to mind is ( the art of comparing ourselves to other people ). That happens often in our Churches. we believe that ( just because ) we are like someone else, we’re right with God.That brings us back to ( verse 9 ) and beyond. In ( verse 10 ) he says if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. It’s not other people we need to compare ourselves to but, we need to allow God’s Spirit to help us mature spiritually.

God’s will has never been to condemn us but rather to help us to have righteous fellowship with him. He undserstands our weaknesses and desires to help us turn from them by showing us love and not judgement. He desires to talk to us and guide us. However, we must be completely honest with him about our weaknesses.

In these verses, we see truth. The truth is that if our lives do not reflect his truth then he is simply not in us. When we seek to have people think we live above sin then we make him a liar. And, guess what? He’s not the liar; We are!

He is an anchor for our soul, both sure and stedfast. I Often seek to compare being born again to the act of a woman becoming pregnant. I know I’ve said this before but to me it’s very important to understand. The very moment a woman conceives, life begins. Once that life within her is birthed, at that point that little life begins to learn. Can we say that even before birth that little life is already learning things? I’d say so! It’s learning the very foundations of life.

When we are ( born again ) it’s the very same picture. The very moment we are born again ( spiritual life ) begins. The Holy Spirit is teaching us each day to become a ( spiritually mature believer ). I’d say we could teach a lesson within a lesson here. Do you remember me talking about my mom and dad? Can you see the tremendous spiritual responsibility and, a complete picture of how the Spirit of God works to bring us to maturity? In both cases we simply must be willing to hear and yield to wise instrution. The only difference is, God will always tell you truth and bring to to maturity if you are willing to hear him. Often, as parents we fail to live to our physical and spiritual responsibilities.

If we go back and read the events in the Old Testament; God the Father truly sought to lead Israel to spiritual maturity, the problem, they would not hear him. It’s one thing if a child will not heed to wise councel, quite another if the parent fails to teach and give wise councel.

One of the worst things that can ever happen to anyone is to assume you are righteous or worthy of something when you are not. In a physical sense; the nation of Israel assumed that since that were chosen by God to be his people that they automatically would receive blessings from him. The truth, is now and was then that God was never pleased with the flesh. We must, like Israel, forget our flesh and yield to his Spirit as he speaks to each of us.

Often people are lead to believe that ( the local Church ) is ( the Church ) when it’s not. I once heard a preacher say this: You can join every local Church within the area to which you live and, be baptized until the tadpoles know you personally but, unless you have been born again you will never see heaven!

I’ve often sit in a local Church and watched parents get excited because their child joined Church, was getting baptized. Boy; what excitement! This, the whole time thinking within myself that, all this has nothing to do with being born again.

When we fail to teach the difference between ( the physical aspects ) of life and ( the spirtual aspect ) of life we do people a tremendous injustice. Often in our local Churches we seek to teach people how to live righteous lives when, the art of righteous living has nothing to do with being born again. Righteous living simply makes us look good in our flesh to other people. No matter how righteous you live or how good you look to other people, you are not going to please God the Father in your flesh.

( I believe ) that every pastor in every Church should look at every person within his Church as a possible candidate for salvation everytime he preaches. Every message should be about or, built around the art of being born again! it should be teaching people how to die to themselves and allow God’s Spirit to me seen, above all within their lives.

The veil that was rent when Jesus died on the cross took away the ( ordinances that was written against us ). What does that mean? To begin with ( he took our place ). However, we still have to ( enter into ) that protection that he now offers. Every man’s sin debt has to be paid! Being born again is the act of you excepting Jesus Christ and his finished work for the payment for your sin debt. If any person doesn’t except that payment then that person will have to pay his own sin debt.

When we see ourselves as ( hell deserving sinners ) and that ( without any hope ) on our own. We can now walk right up to the throne of God and tell him, we’re quilty, I confess what I am and all that I deserve. As a sinner, I deserve hell.

At that point, we ask that Jesus Christ become our redeemer, our Savior, excepting his shed blood for a covering for our sin. At that point we enter into him, he becomes our shield from the very wrath of an Almighty God. ( our hope is built on nothing less that his blood and his righteousness )! He is ( the anchor of my soul ) it is ( stedfast and sure ).

As a born again believer, I seek to live a righteous life. Although I fail, I seek to because of my great love for him and all he’s done for me. I don’t try to live righteous for my salvation; I’m trusting in his righteousness for my salvation, ( in him is my hope ) not in any ability of my own.

Have you been born again? Or. are you just a local Church member?

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7