Hebrews 13:20-25
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly. 24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
God has spoken to us through His divine Son, and this letter was written to “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” as Hebrews 3:1 tells us. It is this God who raised the Man and God Jesus Christ from death to life who will continue to work in us to the end, which is what we call the perseverance of the saints (we continue in salvation to death, never losing it nor failing to be changed by God). He is the Shepherd of His people by the sacrifice of Himself, with His substitutionary death’s blood given as a covering for our sin (Genesis 3:21, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:19), by which He sealed forever His covenant of this new testament (Hebrews 8:8-13) we have seen explained in depth in this letter. He completes His work in us (Philippians 1:6) for His good pleasure purely by grace, and He does so conforms us to the holiness and image of Christ to do the works prepared before we were created (Ephesians 2:10). This is His will for us - sanctification and pleasing Him by being and doing His will. Therefore the writer ends with greetings that remind all readers (including us) to patiently consider the exhortations, the consolation and encouragement to take these things to heart and live in light of our calling by God’s work of grace in Jesus Christ. This is why we gather in fellowship to greet and encourage one another with these words. Grace be with us all. Amen!
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