Hebrews 10
Daily Bread Hebrews 10
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Observation:
The writer continues to compare the relationship with God through what Jesus had done for us as opposed to being made right by the Law. We need no longer to offer sacrifices, and we can have confidence to enter God’s presence have been cleansed by the once and for all offering Jesus has made for us.
But then the writer goes on to encourage the Hebrews how they can make good on what Jesus has done for them. He offers four “let us” exhortations. He says let us: draw near to God, let us hold unswervingly to the faith we profess, let us encourage one another toward good deeds, and let us not give up meeting together for mutual consolation in the faith. The first two relate to our personal relationship with God and the second two with our relationship with others in the body of Christ.
Apparently some in the community had gone back to “sinning” deliberately (v.26) and the writer warns how serious this is having once tasted God’s goodness to reject the grace of God in Christ.
Application:
There is both encouragement and sober warning here. There is encouragement that we don’t have to try and live up to the Law to be in an intimate relationship with God, Jesus has already done that for us in His once and for all sacrifice for the forgiveness of all of our sins past, present and future. But there is also a warning not to take God’s grace in vain. The author likens it to trampling with foot of the Son of God and insulting the Spirit of grace.
We see both invitation and challenge. Invitation to live boldly and confidently, knowing that Jesus has broken down all the walls between us and God. But also a challenge and a pretty strong warning not to abuse the grace of God willingly. To cheapen God’s grace by returning to a deliberate life of sin after being saved, puts one in very dangerous territory. Verse 31 is a warning to all who might be tempted to go down that path as it says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.”
Are you holding fast the confidence you have in Christ? Are you being encouraged and encouraging others to be steadfast in their faith and generous in good deeds? Have you forsaken the habit of going to church or meeting with your small group for encouragement and prayer? I hope you will see both the challenge and invitation of today’s lesson and apply it to your life!
Prayer: God help us to hold unwaveringly to the promise you have given us through Your Son. Help us to find a community of other believers who we can meet with, find encouragement from, and be spurred on to live a life worthy of our calling. Help us not to turn back to a life of sin after having tasted of your goodness in holiness. And send Your Spirit to guide us on in true faith and obedience to your call on our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Observation:
The writer continues to compare the relationship with God through what Jesus had done for us as opposed to being made right by the Law. We need no longer to offer sacrifices, and we can have confidence to enter God’s presence have been cleansed by the once and for all offering Jesus has made for us.
But then the writer goes on to encourage the Hebrews how they can make good on what Jesus has done for them. He offers four “let us” exhortations. He says let us: draw near to God, let us hold unswervingly to the faith we profess, let us encourage one another toward good deeds, and let us not give up meeting together for mutual consolation in the faith. The first two relate to our personal relationship with God and the second two with our relationship with others in the body of Christ.
Apparently some in the community had gone back to “sinning” deliberately (v.26) and the writer warns how serious this is having once tasted God’s goodness to reject the grace of God in Christ.
Application:
There is both encouragement and sober warning here. There is encouragement that we don’t have to try and live up to the Law to be in an intimate relationship with God, Jesus has already done that for us in His once and for all sacrifice for the forgiveness of all of our sins past, present and future. But there is also a warning not to take God’s grace in vain. The author likens it to trampling with foot of the Son of God and insulting the Spirit of grace.
We see both invitation and challenge. Invitation to live boldly and confidently, knowing that Jesus has broken down all the walls between us and God. But also a challenge and a pretty strong warning not to abuse the grace of God willingly. To cheapen God’s grace by returning to a deliberate life of sin after being saved, puts one in very dangerous territory. Verse 31 is a warning to all who might be tempted to go down that path as it says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.”
Are you holding fast the confidence you have in Christ? Are you being encouraged and encouraging others to be steadfast in their faith and generous in good deeds? Have you forsaken the habit of going to church or meeting with your small group for encouragement and prayer? I hope you will see both the challenge and invitation of today’s lesson and apply it to your life!
Prayer: God help us to hold unwaveringly to the promise you have given us through Your Son. Help us to find a community of other believers who we can meet with, find encouragement from, and be spurred on to live a life worthy of our calling. Help us not to turn back to a life of sin after having tasted of your goodness in holiness. And send Your Spirit to guide us on in true faith and obedience to your call on our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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