SEEKING BETTER THINGS

"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. . . . But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6)

Devotion 5 of 26
THE CONCEPT OF "BETTER"

In Scripture, the Holy Spirit took common words and enlarged them to become uncommon words. Meanings and significance were ascribed to key words that were not resident in their etymology. Examples of such expressions are "love," "faith," "church," "Lamb," "altar," "commune," "fellowship," "peace, "hope," and "joy." Words like these are defined doctrinally. They are used to develop a framework for thought, and a vehicle for Divine expression. They are used to communicate concepts integral to our salvation.

Other words in this category are Christ, Messiah, or anointed. Priest, Intercessor, and Mediator are also included, together with covenant, inheritance, and immortality. To expound these words from only a dictionary, or from a lexical standpoint, deprives the hearers of their weight. While some value may be obtained from academic definitions, that value is only introductory. It never reaches to the depths of salvation's well, or elevates the human spirit into heavenly realms.

"Better" is such a word. It is part of a special nomenclature developed by the Spirit for communicating and expounding the word of reconciliation to spiritual people. A dictionary definition of "better" is
as follows. "1. Greater in excellence, or higher in quality. 2. More useful, suitable, or desirable. 3. larger: greater, the better, etc." Now all of this is true, and can certainly be applied to the Scriptural use of the term. But it falls far short of the Spirit's use of the word--particular in matters pertaining to salvation. The academic definition, for example, makes no association with God, Christ, or salvation. In Scripture, however, these associations are consistently made with "better things."
They are also assumed to be eternal, relating exclusively to the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

All of this may appear inconsequential, but it is not. The Spirit uses the word "better" to lift us out of the domain of flesh and blood, into the realm of the heavenlies. When it is employed, it accents the absolute inferiority of all temporal things, and the unquestionable superiority of the things of God. As I will use use this word, there are NO "better things" in "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4), There are no "better things" that originate with mankind. All of them are dispensed by Christ, and all are to be preferred. They are all sanctioned and blessed by God, and they all enrich the soul and prepare the individual for glory.

I have observed that people make little progress in the faith until they are impressed with the greatness of their salvation, and the "betterness" of the things that accompany it. As long as "religion" is viewed as a duty, or even a burden, progress will not be made toward heaven. Candidly, that is a revolutionary thought. It explains many of the abnormal conditions that confront us in the contemporary church.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I have learned the things of this world do not satisfy the soul, and often bring great handicap. In Jesus' name, I thank You for providing "better things" that are refreshing strengthening.

-- Tomorrow: THE BEST FOR THE LAST --