“…That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul…” (Heb. 6:18-19).
Immutable means unchangeable, unalterable, changeless. The two unchangeable things were — 1) the promise to Abram that the land should be given to him and his seed forever (Gen. 13:14-17) and 2) the covenant, sworn to by the great El Shaddai and sealed in Christ’s blood (Gen. 15).
Warning
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:4-6).
We are well aware that the Holy Spirit gifts were a special blessing that was given only during the ministry of the apostles. This gift was of great value. It brought the keenest of scriptural perception, the healing of the sick and, above all, the revolution from Judaism and paganism to the beauty that is in Christ.
It is true that we do not have the gifts of the Holy Spirit; we make a great error, however, if we minimize the power that flows from the word of God in ourselves. This power comes to us only if we absorb the word, only if we let it flow in us and it becomes an active part of our lives.
Two categories of sins
Sin can be divided into two broad classes: 1) sin that is the most dangerous is willful sin — direct, persistent violation in the face of knowledge; 2) sin that occurs through the weakness of the flesh or through ignorance.
While the Law of Moses cleansed from sins of ignorance and ceremonial uncleanness, it did not and could not bring eternal life. And it did not offer cleansing from presumptuous sin.
Christ provides forgiveness for every kind of sin when we are baptized into him. After baptism, our situation bears some similarity to that which prevailed under the Law of Moses. Provision is made for continued cleansing through the Lord Jesus of sins of weakness and ignorance. But if we neglect absorbing the word into our minds, if we draw away from God and walk in the path of sin, if we sin presumptuously, then we place ourselves in a very dangerous situation.
Saul vs. David
Saul and David illustrate the point. They present a sharp contrast of presumptuous sin as opposed to sins of weakness. We are all familiar with Saul’s life and of his constant disregard of God’s testimonies. He persistently sought to kill David even though the young man was wholly innocent. In doing so, Saul was walking in the way of sin. In the case of the Amalekites, Saul was specifically told to utterly destroy them (1 Sam. 15:3). He declined to do so and committed presumptuous sin. David, on the other hand, spared Saul’s life because the king had been anointed of God. While a victim of temptation and grave sin, David still loved God. He did not persist in presumptuous sin but fully repented of it.
Our blessed standing
In turn, we live out our lives surrounded by a host of worldly temptations and enticements. We must love God deeply. We knowingly and reverently have entered into the new covenant that was ratified with Christ’s blood.
Here, truly, is our refuge from the troubled sea of mankind that surrounds us. Here, as in other little assemblies scattered throughout the world, we gather in the serenity and peace of the two great unalterable things. Here, Jesus, through the indwelling influence of the Word, envelops us. From his heavenly position, he now ministers to those who love and abide in him.
Where two or three are gathered in his name, here is he in their midst. This is true not only of the memorial service but also at every gathering of the household — lecture, Bible class or whenever those who are his are gathered together.
Here we receive strength to carry on in the way, to keep our eyes on the eternal things to which we are related as priests after the order of Melchisedec. Here, in faith, we participate in the true bread with our hearts and minds focused on two immutable things. Here we partake of the wine, symbolic of his blood that seals the new covenant.
Priests after Melchizedek
The Aaronic order of priests was a matter of family connections. Melchisedec, on the other hand, was “without father or mother” in the biblical record. So far as the record goes, he was “without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” There is no mention of when his priesthood ended but he is presented as being “made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”
Through the grace of God, we are related to this order of priests. In his death, Christ provided an entrance for all who rely on him. It is this order which is eternal. At present, the principles of this order should be reflected in our lives through our service in him.
We are ordained priests after the order of an eternal priesthood based upon two immutable things which God cannot alter. When we review our standing before God and the powerful exhortation to the Hebrew brethren of the first century, we are constrained to renew our efforts in the work of the Truth.
Hold unto faith
Sometimes it is very difficult for us to realize that we are partakers of the two immutable things and are of the Melchizedek order. We are so weak and prone to sin; we all feel our own weakness. As we do, we may feel that we have miserably failed in our walk. Under the penetrating rays of His glorious light, we may feel stark naked before Him. We are not alone when we feel this way, for we all greatly need the grace of God that counts our faith for righteousness.
These early Hebrew brethren were in danger of losing faith and becoming embroiled in Judaism. Let us not let that ever happen to ourselves. While at times the promised land may seem far away and the path to it very formidable, let no one destroy our faith.
The promises are sure, let us find our refuge in them. God, by two immutable things, has graciously given us wonderful assurance that we might have strong consolation and might look to our hope as an anchor for the soul.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One