Hebrews 6:17-20 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:… Now what are those "two immutable things' which cannot fail? Some have seen in them the two covenants — the covenant which God made with Abraham; and the covenant which God made with Christ. Some have understood it to mean, first, the promise of the fact made to the patriarchs; and then the great fulfilment of that promise revealed in the gospel. But it appears to me far better, and much more accordant with the whole line of thought, to take it as meaning, first, the nature and the character of God; and then God's "oath," or covenant, whereby He has made over that character to man, and pledged Himself to our salvation. Here, then, every believer finds his double rest. First, I have the being of God — all faithfulness, all love. That God is my Father. I am dearer to Him than I am to myself. It is His glory and His necessity to be kind to me. In that great "I AM" I find my argument. He revolves within Himself. And it is for His own glory that His own creature should be happy, holy, useful here; and with Him and like Him for ever. But, after all, everything else — the Bible, redemption itself, is only a platform to exhibit the character of God. But then. as if this were not enough, 1 have all those attributes, and all that nature, made over to me, as my own, in solemn compact, sealed with blood. His justice is pledged to accept my Substitute, and to release me. His word is committed to it, that, if I am Christ's, however unworthy I be, I shall be "accepted in the Beloved" One. And that nature and that oath are my "two immutable things." Can the eternal Jehovah change? Can God's truth fail? Can He deny Himself? Has not He "made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure?" So, as the "anchor" has its two cables, my hidden "hope" has its two strong confirmations. And nothing can divide them. It lies in its own adamantine, indissoluble power. And its twofold power is one that never can be broken. Therefore, well did St. Paul say, "Sure and stedfast." "Sure," in God's being; "stedfast," in God's covenant; and in both it is just what a poor, wretched sinner wants, in such a world as this — "a strong consolation to those who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them." They say the ship "always drops to her anchor." So, by secret influences, the soul, which is held to Jesus, will continually, and almost insensibly, be getting nearer and nearer to Him every moment; nearer in converse; nearer in likeness; nearer in love. Nor will it rest till it is as near Him now as the circumstances of this present life allow — looking for the time when there shall be no hindrances; and we shall be near Him, and one with Him for ever. But, though the "anchor" be cast — and though the holdings be sure — and though the ship "drops to her anchor" — still the winds beat on, the waves may roll, and the vessel toss. Only, so long as the chain holds, she can never break off; and she can never become a castaway. There is no warrant, brethren, you are in Christ, that, therefore, you shall not be buffeted by storms; or that you should not feel the roughnesses of this world's troubles. Rather because you are bound to Him, you may strain the more, that you may ride in perfect peace. No feat" that that "anchor" may slip. There may be trials, but there is no danger; distress, but not despair; and welcome even the tempest, in its fury, if it prove the firmness of the tenure by which you are held, and the goodness by which you are encouraged. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: |
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