How can we apply the principle of change in Hebrews 7:12 to our faith? The Context of Hebrews 7:12 • “For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.” (Hebrews 7:12) • God appointed the Levitical priests to mediate under the Mosaic Law, yet Psalm 110:4 promised, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” • Jesus fulfills that promise; His once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27) replaces continual animal offerings. The Principle of God-Initiated Change • Change originates with God’s unchanging purpose (Malachi 3:6). • When the Lord shifts a covenant or calling, He supplies everything needed to walk in it (Hebrews 8:6). • The pivot from Levitical law to Christ’s priesthood models how God moves His people from shadow to substance, from ritual to reality (Colossians 2:17). Why This Matters for Our Faith 1. Assurance in Christ’s Completed Work – The “changed law” means our acceptance rests on Jesus, not on personal merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). 2. Freedom from Dead Formalism – Obedience flows from the Spirit writing the law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), not from external regulation alone. 3. Confidence to Follow God’s Leading Today – As He once re-ordered worship around Christ, He can redirect our lives while His truth remains fixed (James 1:17). Practical Ways to Embrace God-Ordained Change • Anchor every new step in Scripture – Compare any shift—personal or congregational—to the Word, just as the apostles searched prophecy to confirm Jesus (Acts 17:11). • Hold traditions with open hands – Cherish what is biblical; release what was merely preparatory, like Israel letting go of temple sacrifices (Galatians 3:24-25). • Cultivate a renewed mind – Invite the Spirit to transform thinking (Romans 12:2), replacing fear with trust in Christ’s sufficiency. • Walk in daily repentance – Set aside the “old self” (Ephesians 4:22-24), embracing fresh obedience as God illumines new areas. • Encourage one another through transitions – Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness, echoing Hebrews 10:24-25. Safeguards Against Wrongful Change • Test every spirit (1 John 4:1) • Reject any alteration that contradicts the gospel delivered “once for all” (Jude 3) • Remember: methods may shift, but the message and moral commands remain unaltered (Matthew 5:17-18). Encouragement for Daily Life • Jesus, our permanent High Priest, “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25); His constancy steadies us amid change. • Each God-directed transition is an invitation to deeper reliance on Him (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). • Therefore, welcome His ordained changes, knowing they usher you further into the fullness of the new covenant and the joy of Spirit-empowered living. |
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