PARTAKERS

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” (Hebrews 3:1).

            The believer’s relationship to the Lord is described by a number of words in the New Testament.  One of these is the word partakers.  It is used to translate two basic Green words.  Their setting appears to influence the translator’s choice of English terms.  One of these terms is used to express ideas such as: to have in common, and to share in.  The other has a similar meaning and could be expressed literally as to hold with or to share with.

The writer of Hebrews used each of these words in his epistle.  In our theme text he addressed believers as those who share in common the heavenly calling.  In the light of the two previous chapters, this term describes believers as being sharers in common benefits through their union with Christ Jesus.  His triumphant greatness is shared with those who have received Him.

Of what do believers partake?  First, we are partakers of the heavenly calling.  In other words, we share in privileges related to our heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1).  The word used here is the one which means “to hold with” or “to hold things in common.”  Second, we are partakers of Christ (Hebrews 3:14).  Literally, we have been made holders-in-common of the things of Christ.  Third, we have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:4).  The ministries of the Spirit have become available to us.

From the writings of Paul, we learn that we were made eligible to be “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:12).  We share in the light of the One who is the Light of the World.  This carries present implications as well as future.  Jesus stated that we are the light of the world, and that places us under obligation to let our light “so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).  John in his first epistle reminds us that we are able to have fellowship in the light because He is in the light (1 John 1:7).  In the descriptions concerning heaven and the heavenly city, we are given the basis for our expectation of sharing in the divine light.

The concept of our being sharers-in-common reminds us of the teaching of Jesus in John 15 concerning the union and communion between the vine and the branches.  As partakers, we have the resources of the fullness of the godhead found in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:9-10).  Since we have been declared to be partakers, let’s also be active participants through faith and obedience.

William A. Raws is the grandson of the founder of America’s Keswick and served at America’s Keswick for 50+ years.

Team YOU: Psalm 35-36; Proverbs 24; Acts 25

Motivations: If the good news of God’s grace is to be truly heard, the bad news concerning man’s sin must be preached. If the “Yes” of God’s grace is to be truly heard, God’s “No” to sin must be proclaimed. Charles Cameron

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:14-15; Level 2: Philippians 2:12-18

Powered Up:  Every true prayer is a variation on the theme, “Thy will be done!” John R. W. Stott