By Way of Reminder #307
Two Unchangeable Things

When you make a promise with someone, how do you know that they will keep their word? Conversely, what would make them trust you?

Similar questions were asked when I heard this verse in passing during a sermon. I've read it dozens of times but never saw the simple significance of its hopeful promise.

First, a little context:

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:13-15

Abraham was following God into unknown territory. His every step was an act of faith, based on the One he knew to be leading him onward. It was based on the surety of a relationship with the best promise-maker-and-keeper in the business.

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath...
Hebrews 6:16-17

Read your Bible and you'll find that God does not make empty promises. There's a long line of action coming from Him based on what He said, right down to the smallest letter.

But you knew all that, right? The next part of the verse is likely one you've heard as well:

...so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
Hebrews 6:18

Wait, what was the second unchangeable thing? "God" is the easy answer, yes, but why should it stand out for us?

When an oath is made, it is unchangeable. God is brought in as a witness to prove the surety of the promise. In this historic case, like a Judge setting precedence in a court session, we see God not only being the witness, but also the One making the oath.

This is how there can be two unchangeable things in this instance: the oath, made before God, and God Himself, as both owner and keeper of all righteousness.

This is a big deal for us today: 

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20

There's so much more to this story - you REALLY need to read the book of Hebrews - but the priestly order mentioned here was significant in Abraham's life as well.

This passage is meant to impress a point upon its readers. The writer tells us that, for those who have tasted the heavenly gift of God's grace, we are to leave elementary doctrines and run hard, being sure of the things that belong to salvation.

The reason we can do that is because our hope is founded upon and infinitely bound up in the Source of all hope: the unchangeable, unending, unwavering God, Jesus Christ.

Do justly. Love kindness. Walk humbly. Stay tuned.