Encounter the Truth

Jesus is the cornerstone, and in him, we are being built up together to be a beautiful temple in which God lives by his Spirit. We were nothing—we were not a people—but in Christ we are part of something beautiful, holy, and new. As a new people, we are to live in newness and holiness, and we need to fight sin within, and keep our conduct honourable—so that God may be glorified in us.

The new birth that is ours through the Word of God leads to a new way of relating to one another—and the key mark of this is love. When pressure comes, the temptation is always to turn on those near and dear to us. But this must not happen with the people of God. We have been made new—and this new birth enables us to love one another with sincerity, from the heart.

The new birth that is ours through the Word of God leads to a new way of relating to one another—and the key mark of this is love. When pressure comes, the temptation is always to turn on those near and dear to us. But this must not happen with the people of God. We have been made new—and this new birth enables us to love one another with sincerity, from the heart.

Jesus has ransomed us from our former way of life through his own blood. Having ransomed us at such cost, the God of holiness calls us to be holy in our way of life. Pressure and opposition must not lead us to sin and to conformity with the world, but instead to radial holiness.

Jesus has ransomed us from our former way of life through his own blood. Having ransomed us at such cost, the God of holiness calls us to be holy in our way of life. Pressure and opposition must not lead us to sin and to conformity with the world, but instead to radial holiness.

We who belong to Christ are immensely privileged people. The Spirit so worked in the Old Testament prophets that they might write down God's Word to serve us today—that we might have this gospel hope. Even angels long to look into the wonders of what God has revealed to us in His Word. Our trials may be real, but our privilege is immense.

We who belong to Christ are immensely privileged people. The Spirit so worked in the Old Testament prophets that they might write down God's Word to serve us today – that we might have this gospel hope. Even angels long to look into the wonders of what God has revealed to us in His Word. Our trials may be real, but our privilege is immense.

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

As he begins this letter, Peter knows that God's people are facing real trials and difficulties. He does not minimize those trials, but he reminds us of our rock-solid foundation in the sovereign and saving work of God.

As he begins this letter, Peter knows that God's people are facing real trials and difficulties. He does not minimize those trials, but he reminds us of our rock-solid foundation in the sovereign and saving work of God.

Worshipping God acceptably also involves honouring leaders within the church—following their example, submitting to their leadership, listening to their teaching, and praying for them. Are we marked by this kind of worship as a church?

Worshipping God acceptably also involves honouring leaders within the church—following their example, submitting to their leadership, listening to their teaching, and praying for them. Are we marked by this kind of worship as a church?

The writer tells us to worship God acceptably, and here he tells us what worship of the living God will look like as we live in his presence: showing brotherly love, living in marital faithfulness, keeping our lives free from the love of money. Do we understand true worship? Do we worship in this way?

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

The writer tells us to worship God acceptably, and here he tells us what worship of the living God will look like as we live in his presence: showing brotherly love, living in marital faithfulness, keeping our lives free from the love of money. Do we understand true worship? Do we worship in this way?

By faith we have come to the unseen and untouchable Mount Zion where God himself is found and where his saints gather. We must be careful to listen to his voice and worship him acceptably with reverence and awe.

By faith we have come to the unseen and untouchable Mount Zion where God himself is found and where his saints gather. We must be careful to listen to his voice and worship him acceptably with reverence and awe.

By faith we have come to the unseen and untouchable Mount Zion where God himself is found and where his saints gather. We must be careful to listen to his voice and worship him acceptably with reverence and awe.

The writer now delves further into the theme of endurance. He takes us into the deep waters of opposition and trial and suffering—and shows us how we are to approach situations of pain and difficulty, and to endure as believers—even to flourish as believers—in and through those times.

The Christian life is a marathon run by faith. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus—and his model of endurance in suffering—if we are to run faithfully to the end.

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

Abraham is a model of faith, giving up his homeland and travelling to the unseen land of promise. People who live by faith prove by their lifestyle that they are seeking a homeland above. Do we live that way? Do we have such faith?

Abraham is a model of faith, giving up his homeland and travelling to the unseen land of promise. People who live by faith prove by their lifestyle that they are seeking a homeland above. Do we live that way? Do we have such faith?

Here is perhaps the Bible's clearest definition of faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Abel, Enoch, and Noah are all examples of this faith, trusting in unseen realities and living in costly ways because of this faith.

Here is perhaps the Bible's clearest definition of faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Abel, Enoch, and Noah are all examples of this faith, trusting in unseen realities and living in costly ways because of this faith.

In light of all the truths we have learned in chapters five to ten, we now reach the heart of the exhortation of the letter: we must draw near, hold fast our confession, consider how to stir up one another, and we must never throw away our confidence.

In light of all the truths we have learned in chapters five to ten, we now reach the heart of the exhortation of the letter: we must draw near, hold fast our confession, consider how to stir up one another, and we must never throw away our confidence.

Unlike the sacrifices of old, the sacrifice of Jesus is complete. God prepared for him a human body that he might make this sacrifice. And his self-offering means that we who belong to him are perfected, and no offering for sin is needed anymore.

Unlike the sacrifices of old, the sacrifice of Jesus is complete. God prepared for him a human body that he might make this sacrifice. And his self-offering means that we who belong to him are perfected, and no offering for sin is needed anymore.

Jesus' sacrifice did what the animal sacrifices never did: it cleanses our conscience to make us fit for service in the very presence of God. We have the joy of true cleansing, a clear conscience, and access to God in heaven. We must delight in our cleansing and access, drawing near to God by faith.

Jesus' sacrifice did what the animal sacrifices never did: it cleanses our conscience to make us fit for service in the very presence of God. We have the joy of true cleansing, a clear conscience, and access to God in heaven. We must delight in our cleansing and access, drawing near to God by faith.

The change of the priesthood means the introduction of a new covenant which is better in every way. God's law is on our heart, we know the Lord personally, and he has forgiven our sin. We must rejoice in the privilege we have—and not drift from all we have in Christ.

The change of the priesthood means the introduction of a new covenant which is better in every way. God's law is on our heart, we know the Lord personally, and he has forgiven our sin. We must rejoice in the privilege we have—and not drift from all we have in Christ.

Jesus is the greater Priest who lives forever, and so he "can save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Our salvation is sure and certain—and can never be undermined.

Jesus is the greater Priest who lives forever, and so he "can save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Our salvation is sure and certain—and can never be undermined.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God's promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God's promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

Jewish converts might wonder if they are really safe without going to the Levitical priests at the Temple. The point here is to show that Jesus is a legitimate priest—not in the Levitical order, but in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the legitimate, promised priest who really is able to deal with our sin and bring us into the presence of God. We can have great confidence and comfort—and must not drift away from him.

Jewish converts might wonder if they are really safe without going to the Levitical priests at the Temple. The point here is to show that Jesus is a legitimate priest—not in the Levitical order, but in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the legitimate, promised priest who really is able to deal with our sin and bring us into the presence of God. We can have great confidence and comfort—and must not drift away from him.

Jesus offers us eternal rest—but we must take warning from the wilderness generation. We must listen and be faithful to him, responding in faith and obedience to his word. When we fail—as we do and will—our Great High Priest gives grace and help.

Jesus offers us eternal rest—but we must take warning from the wilderness generation. We must listen and be faithful to him, responding in faith and obedience to his word. When we fail—as we do and will—our Great High Priest gives grace and help.

Jesus is not only greater than angels, but greater than Moses. And he offers us a promised salvation greater than that offered through Moses. But we must learn from the sinful mistakes of the Exodus generation, and not harden our hearts to God's word—but be fearfully listening and obedient.

Jesus is not only greater than angels, but greater than Moses. And he offers us a promised salvation greater than that offered through Moses. But we must learn from the sinful mistakes of the Exodus generation, and not harden our hearts to God's word—but be fearfully listening and obedient.

Although he is the eternal Son, Jesus became human and suffered death for the sake of our salvation—fulfilling the glorious destiny that God planned for humanity, leading many to glory.

Although he is the eternal Son, Jesus became human and suffered death for the sake of our salvation—fulfilling the glorious destiny that God planned for humanity, leading many to glory.

God has spoken his supreme and final word in the person of his Son. We must listen carefully to the gospel message that God has declared through Jesus so that we do not drift away.

God has spoken his supreme and final word in the person of his Son. We must listen carefully to the gospel message that God has declared through Jesus so that we do not drift away.

The Kingdom is the greatest treasure we could ever find. True Kingdom people are single-minded and passionate about taking hold of the treasure. The Kingdom may look mixed and messy at the present time, but at the judgment, the evil will be separated from the righteous, and only the good will be admitted. Treasure the Kingdom—and make sure you truly belong by faith!

The Kingdom is the greatest treasure we could ever find. True Kingdom people are single-minded and passionate about taking hold of the treasure. The Kingdom may look mixed and messy at the present time, but at the judgment, the evil will be separated from the righteous, and only the good will be admitted. Treasure the Kingdom—and make sure you truly belong by faith!