Don’t Hold On

 

 

I was searching for an image to use for this post and I typed “holding onto something” into the search button. I was expecting a hand and a pole or a hand and a hand, but this is what came up. It was the only picture that came from that search. I thought it was pretty cool.

It was a picture of a Bible! So, I looked at the name of the photo thinking maybe that was why it came up from the search. The title for the picture is “eager-read”.  Great name! I’m still confused about it’s relation to “holding onto something” except, we do have to hold onto this truth, don’t we?

In the Bite of Bread Bible reading plan this week we are studying about God’s faithfulness, and the verse for Monday talked about “holding on”. it was Hebrews 10:23,24.

 

 

That’s a promising scripture, right? Hold on! Because Jesus is faithful!

But how many of us know how hard it is to hold onto things? I picture myself holding on to the edge of a building, my fingers losing their strength, and letting go and falling. If I hold onto something, my hand may slip. I could lose it! It’s hard to hold onto things, sometimes even faith.

But the context of this scripture and the Greek words under our English just may prove the author was encouraging the readers to do more than “hold on”. In this section of the letter, the author is writing about Christ being the final sacrifice for sins. He wrote about the Temple priests sacrificing for the people day after day.

“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. . . because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. ” (Hebrews 10:12,14 addition mine).

He continues to encourage the readers that now, because of Christ, and through Christ, they can go to the Father. And that brings us to the verse about “holding on.” But look at the meanings of this Greek word. There are eight definitions with different nuances. The first:

Katecho:  . . . to maintain possession of, hold onto firmly, keep with care and interest

I know, that means the same thing. But look at the last definition:

Katecho: . . . To posses or own. 

The author of Hebrews isn’t telling the believers to hold on tight and not let go (even though the word can mean that), I believe he’s telling them to own this hope. Posses it. He’s telling them to apply it to their life! To live in that freedom and that holiness! They no longer need a priest to make them clean. Jesus has done it. 

I’ve got to stop holding on afraid my hands may slip and own it.

And there’s more. The rest of that scripture says to “own the hope that we profess. My friends, the more I profess my faith in Jesus, the more I write and teach, the more I own it. It goes deeper in me everyday. It will for you too.

 

[bctt tweet=”We’ve got to posses and profess.” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

 

Work it, girl! Work that freedom in Christ! Take your possession of holiness in Christ. It is ours to have! Can I get an amen?!

 

Your turn: How does it change us to own this truth rather than simply holding onto it? Is this hard for you? Leave a comment.

 

Grace by grace!

 

andy

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