The book of Hebrews shows how the Old Testament pointed to Christ. The author of the book declared of God, “he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23). God’s faithfulness to His promises encourages those who read His word to continue to hold fast to Him in faith (Hebrews 13:22).  Even though Hebrews shows how Christ is far better than the Old Testament system He replaced, there is still benefit in learning from the Old Testament. Comfort and encouragement come to us from those scriptures (Romans 15:4). We want to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit God’s promises (Hebrews 6:12), such as Abraham who patiently endured and obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:15).

The New Testament opens with establishing the fact that Jesus Christ is a descendant of Abraham (Matthew 1:1). God had made a promise to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Though Abraham was childless at the time, God promised great things would come through his progeny. Abraham waited a quarter of a century from God’s initial promise to the actual birth of Isaac (Genesis 12:4; 21:5). Abraham was not sinless, but he was faithful; God regarded him as righteous based on this (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; James 2:20-24). The blessing of Abraham comes to us through Jesus Christ so that we might receive the promise (Galatians 3:14). Those who walk in faith like Abraham, receive the righteousness that comes by faith (Romans 4:12-13). When one is baptized into Christ, one becomes a child of God by faith (Galatians 3:26-27). One then belongs to Christ, becomes part of Abraham’s seed, and an heir of the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Abraham obeyed God, keeping His commandments, charges, and laws (Genesis 26:5). To be of the seed of Abraham, one must do the same. Jesus said if one follows his own desires rather than following God, then one is a child of the devil, even if one’s physical lineage could be traced back to Abraham (John 8:39-41, 44). Descendants of Abraham had to bring forth the fruits of repentance from sin (Matthew 3:8-10). Even though Abraham died in peace, his descendants were servants in Egypt for over 400 years (Genesis 15:13-15). However, sin is an even harsher taskmaster (John 8:24; Romans 6:19-21). Sin leads to death and torment (Romans 6:23; James 1:15; Revelation 20:10; 21:8). The descendants of Abraham hoped in death to be at rest, comforted alongside Abraham (Luke 16:22-25). However, Jesus is the only way of truth that sets one free from sin (John 8:31-32; 14:6). He offers rest to all who follow Him (Matthew 11:28).

We realize God’s promise of rest remains for us (Hebrews 4:1). Some of the descendants of Abraham fell short of receiving rest because they lacked faith, giving in to various sins (Hebrews 3:16-18; 1 Corinthians 10:1-14). Therefore, we do not turn away from God in unbelief, but rather “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6). Considering the faith of men like Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-10) should spur us on to continue in obedience and faithful endurance to the end of our race, focusing our attention on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Among the various aspects of life that have their own appropriate “time,” Ecclesiastes 3:7 gives, “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” Judging between the two requires great wisdom. The conscientious will likely grapple with nuances between the two their entire lives (Prov. 15:28). The book of Proverbs is filled with instructions on the use of words and the caution against speaking too much.

My words may also drastically alter another’s reputation. False charges and insinuations made in private conversations harm others (Prov. 11:9). Slander robs a man of his good name, which is more valuable than great riches of silver and gold (Prov. 22:1). The Bible forbids gossip (Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20; 1 Tim. 5:13). “He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter” (Prov. 11:13). Words reveal the character of the one who speaks them (Matt. 12:34; Luke 6:45).

One does not have to reveal secrets when communicating with a wicked person. Silence is one possible response to wickedness (2 Kgs. 18:36; Matt. 26:62, 63; Mark 14:60, 61). One avoids saying things that will be misused. It may not be appropriate for a man to respond to certain evil things said about him. The wise Solomon wrote, “Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee; for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others” (Eccles. 7:21, 22). Contrariwise, where the Lord’s cause may suffer due to a poor reputation based on false charges, a response to gossip or rumors is required. While Jesus was silent to some inquiries, He also responded to false charges on occasion (John 8:48, 49). Paul was motivated to salvage his reputation in Philippi (Acts 16:37). So sometimes it is necessary to respond to slander.

Take Colossians 4:5-6 as a general rule: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.” Wisdom should be employed to make the best use of all the opportunities life presents. In the context of the passage, Paul was concerned about saying what he ought to say to further the message of Christ. What one says must be gracious to attract people to the truth. Beyond the ethical test of making sure words are truthful (Eph. 4:25), the question of whether words are needed or beneficial remains. One should speak when the words will be beneficial.

In fulfilling Isaiah 53:9, Jesus is the perfect ethical example of suffering without sinning with His lips, “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:21-23). Aside from silence or ignoring a question for a while (John 8:6-7), Jesus responded in many other ways to people. Jesus often cited Scriptures when someone asked Him a question (Matt. 12:1-7; 15:1-9; 19:3-5; 22:23-40). He sometimes answered questions with a question of His own (Matt. 21:24-25; Luke 10:26). He sometimes refused to take sides and would lift the question to a matter of higher importance (Luke 12:13-15; 13:1-5). He knew when to gently correct (Luke 10:40-42; John 4:20-24) and when to return critics’ reasoning back on them (John 7:20-24), sharply rebuke (Matt. 23), and use godly sarcasm (Matt. 23:24). Of course, Christians are never going to be perfect in their responses as Jesus was, but He is the ultimate ethical example in speech.

Sometimes when we want to sit down and weep, God wants us to get up and go. Joshua mourned over the defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:6-9), but God told him to get up and sanctify the people by removing the sin that was among Israel (Joshua 7:10-15). Samuel mourned over Saul’s disobedience and rejection as king, but God told him to get up and go to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king (1 Samuel 16:1). It was only after David repented and was forgiven of his sins that he could expect to have the joy of salvation that would be so pivotal in converting sinners to the Lord (Psa. 51:12, 13). Elijah was so discouraged, that he thought he was the only one left serving God (1 Kings 19:14); however, God told of 7,000 who were still serving Him and commanded him to anoint Jehu and Elisha to do His will (1 Kings 19:15-18). Ezra mourned over the people’s unlawful marriages to pagan wives (Ezra 9); however, Shecaniah, after acknowledging the sin, said, “yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing” (Ezra 10:2). He told Ezra to take courage and pursue a plan of making a covenant with God and putting away the unauthorized wives (Ezra 10:3-5).

What if the next time we recognized a problem among God’s people, we did not stop there? Recognizing problems is good. Without that recognition we are like the self-satisfied Laodiceans who could not see their deep spiritual need (Revelation 3:14-17). But Jesus did not stop at showing them their problem. He encouraged them to remedy their problem through repentance, renewed zeal, and letting Him in the door of their hearts (Revelation 3:18-22). Some don’t want to acknowledge any problem in the Lord’s church. Others only want to dwell on problems. But God calls us to be zealous and repent. He calls us to not just to recognition but to action.

Paul’s epistles can often easily be divided into two major sections. The first section is a recognition of what God has done. Consider the first eleven chapters of Romans or the first three chapters of Ephesians. The second section of the epistle urges the audience to action. Romans 12:1 begins the action section with, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Ephesians 4:1-3 begins the action section with, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” What follows in each of these sections, and at the end of most of Paul’s epistles, are exhortations to proper actions and righteous living. That I have an intellectual understanding of the problem is good, but God wants me to move from there to a practical undertaking to solve the problem.