All in Hebrews Study

The Real Deal

Trip Kimball
Hebrews Study, God's Word, Theology

"He's the real deal," is a common expression to affirm someone's credibility. This expression is often applied to an athlete or someone with great talent or used to confirm some claim or observation about a person.

Over the past 45 years, my wife has loved on and cared for hundreds of children. Many people along the way have noted her gift with and love for children and their love for her.

I've seen it in her as Mom and Nana and in her work in church nurseries, in our ministry overseas, and in her current work at a preschool.

Words need to match action for a person to be the real deal. The opinion of others isn't enough, people need to see it for themselves. In other words, it should be obvious to all.

Once and For All

Trip Kimball
Hebrews Study, God's Word, Theology, Personal Faith

Every election cycle voters put great hopes in their candidates, as leaders who will bring change or stability or both. Yet, there's no one person who will garner everyone's support because people have such diverse concerns and issues.

Recorded history reminds us of the ups and downs of civilizations and cultures. History is cyclical. Life, in general, is cyclical, just as the seasons within a year. The greatness of a nation or era of civilization is preceded and followed by periods of mediocrity or worse.

The problem is consistency and succession of leaders and their governing power. Even religious and theological views vary because they're tied to ever-changing generations and leaders within each generation.

Thankfully, there is one leader who is enduring, trustworthy, and compassionate. He was not elected by people, nor is He limited by human fickleness and frailty. He is powerful, yet humble. Superior, yet approachable.

Guaranteed!

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Hebrews Study, Personal Faith

A common hook used for selling something is to offer a guarantee. Of course, the hook might come with some catches like time limits or other restrictions. It's the "money-back" guarantees that are most appealing.

You can also buy extended warranties and some credit cards even offer warranties. But remember, guarantees or warranties are only as good the one who issues it, whether it's a person or a company. Are they trustworthy? Will they stay in business?

Another limitation is whatever is being guaranteed. Any item or service, even a life insurance policy is limited because it's temporary. A life insurance policy is only in force while a person is alive and pays out when they die.

But what about a human soul? It's contained within a physical body but it exists beyond physical life. What kind of guarantee is there for life after death and eternity, or is there any? Again, it depends on who issues the guarantee.

An Indestructible Life

Trip Kimball
Hebrews Study, God's Word, Theology

People need and want strong leaders for the most part. Sometimes strong leaders do well, but too often authority and power corrupts a person. Then, corruption breeds more corruption and oppression is unleashed upon those who desire and need strong leadership.

The problem is that no human leader can be supremely benign and powerful in a way that is fair and beneficial to all. Even very good leaders, well-respected and loved leaders, die because they are human. This creates a leadership vacuum in their absence.

A New Kind of Priest

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Hebrews Study, Personal Faith

The supernatural has always intrigued people. Intellectuals and atheists may scorn interest in spiritual or supernatural things, but the majority of people in the world are fascinated by it.

Consider what's popular in entertainment and gaming. Superheros, spirits, wizards, and various creatures from the netherworld are featured in some of the most popular TV series, movies, games, and books.

Humans are created with a spiritual capacity and longing. It's built into us. As King Solomon said, "He [God] has put eternity into man's heart" (Eccl 3:11). And yet, we live in a physical world and perceive it through our five physical senses.

Our Strong Anchor

Trip Kimball
Hebrews Study, God's Word, Personal Faith

How can we know if a promise is trustworthy? People make promises that are often more like intentions than true promises. We might "promise" to call someone or pray for them later, but we say promise as more of an assurance of our intention than a true commitment.

Politicians, sales people, and even entrepreneurs make lots of promises, but if we're wise, we only accept these promises with a grain of salt. There always seems to be a loophole, excuse, or contingency that gives them a way out of making good on their promises.

A promise is only as good as the person who makes it. Even then, it's only reliable if the person has the capacity or power to keep their promise.

Better Things

Trip Kimball
Hebrews Study, God's Word, Personal Faith

What's your image of God? Do you envision Him as a kindly grandfather, or do you imagine Him being a strict disciplinarian?

Our family of origin and how we were raised can have a positive or negative effect on our relationship with God. I've seen this to be true in people's lives over and over as a pastor and missionary. 

Impossible But Not Unforgivable

Trip Kimball
Hebrews Study, Foundations, Personal Faith, God's Word

American culture thrives on excuses and justifications, rhetoric, misinformation, and spin. Actually, all cultures do. It's called the human condition.

We say we want to know the truth, but do we? Can we handle it when the truth doesn't fit our expectations or preconceived notions?

Perhaps that's why we're so big on "money-back guarantees" in America. I'm pretty sure we're the only country that sells extended warranties, paying twice or three times the cost of the item, just for peace of mind if it breaks.

When this quest for guaranteed guarantees carries over to spiritual truth and theology, it causes problems. The western mind (including Americans) prize logic and legal wording when it comes to theology. We like iron-clad truth!

Not Ready for Solid Food

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Hebrews Study, Personal Faith

When it comes to food and children, opinions abound. When should a baby start to eat solid food? What foods are best to start with? What if they don't let you feed them? These questions may are linked with whether to breastfeed babies or use bottles. I've heard some pretty strong opinions expressed on this subject!

It might be a matter of months or years, but most mothers expect their children to eat solid food and feed themselves by the time they start school.

But what about spiritual food and feeding? When should a Christian believer be expected to take on meatier truths and even feed themselves? Ah, expectations—the fertile ground for disappointments.

Our Living Bridge

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Hebrews Study, Personal Faith

God is often misunderstood or simply unknown for many people. It ought not to be, but it is. Why? Ignorance and indifference are major factors, of course, but for those who claim to be believers, there's really no excuse.

God came to earth in human form. All four gospels give eyewitness accounts of this. Indeed, this is what the celebration of Christmas ought to be all about. And yet, misunderstandings and ignorance prevail.

For one thing, we tend to overemphasize the spiritual and overlook the human factor. Think about it. God once had flesh and bones, lived a daily life on earth, was part of a family, and in community with other people.

Jesus, the Son of God, experienced a real human life for over 30 years. Although in a different time in history and culture, He experienced life as we know it.

For all those who trust in Him, He is our living bridge to God the Father.

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