Strange Teachings

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Don't be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by His own blood.

Let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.

Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. Not neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:8-16

It is so easy to want to add to our faith. The early church was no different. Various strange teaching would arise  borne by those who thought, "this is not enough, I must do something". And so they added teachings about abstinence from different foods, doing certain pious acts, when in fact what they were doing was saying to Jesus, "Your sacrifice was not enough!"

The writer of Hebrews was saying, "He is more that enough!" Jesus became the perfect sacrifice. He was taken outside the city to die. He was treated with such contempt for us. We cannot add more contempt by saying, "I must do something!" He is more than enough and I must apply faith to this fact and live in the grace He supplies. The sacrifice that pleases God is our praise, the fruit of our lips. Amen!