Something Better Has Been Provided for Us

Something Better Has Been Provided for Us

“God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Heb. 11:40.

It is almost unbelievable that we are able to partake of something better than the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Nevertheless, God’s Word is true, but we must be just as willing as they were. They suffered and sacrificed whatever it took to partake of the promises God had given them; we will not partake of the promises God has given to us unless we have the same mindset. We realize this when we continue reading in Chapter 12.

What is this “something better” that we can partake of but which they could not? It is divine nature.

“By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . .” 2 Pet. 1:4.

They did not have these promises in the old covenant. There they had only promises concerning the forgiveness of sins and earthly glory but nothing regarding divine nature. How can you compare the first to the latter?

We read, “By which have been given to us . . . .” By what? By “the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” V. 3. These precious promises have been given to us through Jesus’ finished work. However, if we are ignorant of what this work entailed, then we do not have these promises either. It is obvious that they could not obtain these promises before the work was finished as we can after the work was finished. Paul was blameless concerning the righteousness which is in the law; but then he continues, “But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . .” Phil. 3:6-8.

The promises he received through the knowledge of Jesus Christ were so great that, by comparison, all the rest was as loss. Most people’s knowledge concerning Jesus does not go beyond what they had in the old covenant; namely, sacrifices for sin. In those days the people’s sins were laid on the goat before it was slaughtered, and through this sacrifice they received forgiveness for their sins, but not a new nature. In this same way, people believe that their sins have been laid on Jesus on Calvary and that they, through this sacrifice, receive forgiveness for their sins; but they do not believe in victory, much less in partaking of divine nature.

However, when you receive the knowledge of Jesus’ work, not only on Calvary, but throughout His life, then the possibilities become far greater. You may ask, “What was it that He did?” Well, He did what was impossible for the law. It was God who did it in and through Jesus. Rom. 8:3. Jesus consecrated a new and living way for us through the veil, that is, His flesh. Heb. 10:20. Sin was condemned in Jesus’ flesh—not in His conscience or in His heart, but in His flesh—the flesh that was like ours and which He had inherited from David. Rom. 1:3. This is how the entire David-nature was put to death in Jesus. What a tremendous work! This is what is called Jesus’ death. Thus He opened a completely new way for mankind. He says, “Follow Me,” and, “If anyone wants to follow Me, let Him take up His cross daily and deny himself.” This is how the nature which we have inherited from our forefathers is brought into Jesus’ death, and we receive divine nature instead. We are being conformed into Jesus’ image. There is fellowship and unity among these people. It cannot be any other way. Wars and division come from the desires that war in the members. Jas. 4:1. Therefore if believers who do not have this knowledge gather together in new groups they will eventually disagree with each other and still not be one. Instead of oneness, envy, the desire to rule, and backbiting will prevail because they have sin in the flesh. It cannot be otherwise regardless of how many alliance meetings they arrange. They have to acquire this knowledge of Jesus’ work, and then they must be willing to walk on the narrow way to life if things are to change.

It was only after the day of Pentecost that the disciples were able to follow Jesus. They could not follow Him on this new and living way in their own strength; they first had to be endued with power from on high. Baptized with one Spirit to be the body of Christ, the same work began in them that had transpired in Jesus. 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Col. 2:9-10. They began to partake of divine nature. They were no longer mere men, but began to be men of God. 2 Tim. 3:17. For where there are envy and strife, they behave like mere men. 1 Cor. 3:3-4. However, the man of God flees these things. 1 Tim. 6:11.

The thought of partaking of divine nature is totally obliterated from the consciousness of today’s believers. The great thing for them is if many people receive the forgiveness for their sins, and physical healing. It is great, of course, but compared to partaking of divine nature, it is, so to speak, nothing.

It is worth noting that everything believers look up to and talk about as being great also occurred before Pentecost. Notice what those who call themselves “Pentecostals” speak about as being great—it is signs and wonders and the gifts of the Spirit. All these things occurred abundantly before Pentecost. They prophesied, healed the sick, drove out evil spirits; and one prophet even raised someone from the dead. All these things are spoken about and admired, and by these things they gather the masses as if that were the most important. Just think that the majority of believers have been so deceived! Many of those who do powerful works in Jesus’ name will be told to depart. They are so deceived that they will come and say, “Have we not done this and that in Your name?” They believe that they have something with which to come. Of course, they have done it in Jesus’ name, and so they felt quite safe, but He shall declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matt. 7:21-24. The one who does Jesus’ words is a prudent man.

The great opportunity we have through Jesus’ work and the baptism of the Spirit is not to perform signs and wonders and to receive the gifts of the Spirit, but it is to partake of divine nature—the fruit of the Spirit. We need a radical revival in this area. May God give us grace to let the light shine so that grace and peace can be multiplied to God’s people in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Pet. 1:2.