Let's Not Stop Meeting Together! - Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19-25
A Call to Persevere in Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

One thing that most everyone feared growing up was going into the principal's office, especially if you thought you were in trouble.  Don't you remember your knees shaking and your palms all sweaty.  When the Most High Priest entered the holy of holies each year he certainly felt this and a lot more.  Here is what one commentator says about his experience, 

"The ancient Jewish Rabbis wrote of how the high priest did not prolong his prayer in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, because it might make the people think he had been killed. When he came out he threw a party for all his friends, because he had emerged safely from the presence of God."

The bottom line is that we all can come into God's presence with confidence that we are loved and approved because of what Jesus has done for us.  The Hebrew Christians were struggling with going back to old ways and being persecuted but the key was being in a close relationship with God. Then the writer gives three more exhortations. 

1. Let us draw near with a sincere heart.  Though we are saved by grace and come in confidence into God's presence it doesn't mean we should be casual or flippant with God.  We should approach God thoughtfully and respectly being honest about who we are and who He is. 

2. Let us hold on to our faith unsweringly.  Though faith is a gift it is tested in various ways.  In times of testing we need to stay strong and cling to our faith without wavering.  But we are reminded that "God who has called us is faithful!"  So though we are called to be steadfast in our faith, God is always faithful to us.  

3. Let us spur one another on to love and good deeds and not give up meeting together as some have done encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  The Christian life is meant to be lived in a Christian community.  In this community we encourage each other and spur each other on to live the life Jesus has called us to live.  We put a priority on meeting together in worship and in small groups of bible study and prayer.  Although going to church doesn't make one a Christian, give me one good reason not to go to church.  Church attendance has gone down in North America.  People are leading busier and busier lives and often the church gets squeezed out of one's schedule.  The Hebrew Christians needed each other, as they were tempted to go back to their old ways and were being persecuted for their faith.  

Friends we need each other plain and simple.  Christianity is not a "solo" sport.  We were meant to live together in community which the bible calls "the body of Christ". We can go directly to God and draw near to him.  He is faithful to us.  And finally, God has called us to live our lives encouraging each other as we wait for the day Jesus will come back to take us to heaven!