The Bible in Poetry: Hebrews to Jude

 

Extracted from the Bible In Poetry

From Genesis to Revelation

Hebrews to Jude

There is still much discussion concerning the writer of Hebrews,

Many argue it must be Paul but many commentators still refuse;

Whoever its writer may be none can deny its powerful truths,

Concerning the deity of the Christ there are many infallible proofs.

Jesus radiates of God’s glory; the exact representation of His nature,

Outside him there is no salvation and neither is there any Saviour;

Jesus, mediator of the new covenant, has everything under his feet;

Because God has given us a new covenant the first is now obsolete.

The chapter of the faithful in this book presents a lengthy list

Of them that gained God's approval but died short of the promise;

Disregard not the Lord’s correction for those He loves he disciplines,

God reproves His children for their good; of that they can be certain.

This epistle to the Hebrews speaks of better in so many ways

Of Jesus, better than the angels, a more excellent name than they;

The law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope

In Jesus, the surety of a better testament in which we now can cope.

For Jesus is our mediator in that he mediated a better covenant

Established on better promises for all the contrite and the penitent;

The faithful saints desired a better country, one that is an heavenly

Where God, pleased to be their God has prepared for them a city.

On that grand old list of the faithful some were delivered out of peril

Others saw a better resurrection as they were tortured by the devil;

That they without us would not be perfect God provided a better thing

In Jesus the mediator of the new covenant to the blood of sprinkling.

James the brother of Jesus has been credited with this book,

Now for a synopsis of its message we will take a brief look;

Consider it all joy he said when ever you fall into various trials,

Because trials develop and build patience; there’s no use in denial.

  

One of its abiding lessons is that a living faith produces works,

A dead faith is like an employee that does nothing but shirks;

Be careful with the tongue says he, it is a world of iniquity,

The tongue can no man tame; it’s unruly and its poison is deadly.

Be careful when you make your plans, be it tomorrow or today,

Your life is like a vapour that appears and quickly goes away;

Swear not by heaven or by the earth for this is not God’s way,

However convincing you want to be, yes is yes and nay is nay.

 

Peter’s first letter to Christians warns against the former lusts,

In the midst of persecution in Christ they should always trust;

Love always from the heart and feed on the milk of the word,

Be kind to one another; treat your brother as a good steward.

Peter’s second letter to Christians focuses on the end times,

Of mans’ many perplexities and divers wonders and signs;

God has freely given us everything pertaining to godly living,

We partake of the divine nature, compliments of His indwelling.

The last days mockers will increase heaping upon us much scorn,

Concerning the coming of Jesus and why he has not returned;

But the Lord is very patient not willing that any should perish,

And the signs of his coming are evident; soon we will get our wish.

First John highlights the fellowship we have with God and each other,

Some claim to have this fellowship yet walking in light is a bother;

What great love of the Father that we should be called His children!

Hatred fills the world around because the Son dwells not within them.

We must not love with empty words but love in deed and in truth,

When we help a brother in need our love is shown by such proof;

Do not believe every spirit John warns, each spirit ought to be tested,

If we ask anything in His will He will grant what we have requested.


2nd Letter of John

In the second letter of John he personifies the church like a lady,

He admonishes to be careful in dealing with the Gnostic heresy;

For those who did not believe that Jesus had come in the flesh

Abided not in the doctrine of Christ and they too had transgressed.


3rd Letter of John

 The third letter of John was written to a man whose name was Gaius,

The apostle was very assured he was walking in the truth of Jesus;

John chastised Diotrephes who had displayed unchristian behavior,

Never imitate that which is evil but always emulate the Saviour.

Jude was the brother of James and the Lord Jesus’ half-brother,

To take advantage of such relationship to him really did not matter;

He warns us to contend for the faith that once was delivered to us,

And keep ourselves in the love of God by His Son the Lord Jesus.

Stewart Russell © 2013