BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE/Draw near, hold fast, consider how

BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE/Draw near, hold fast, consider how

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Please turn to Hebrews 10:19-25. The themes that have run throughout the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is a better priest, and that He is a better sacrifice of a better covenant. This passage summarizes and crystallizes that truth and begins to apply it to our hearts. In verses 19-21, the author of Hebrews wants us to see that our whole relationship with God is based on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Subsequently, he presents three particular applications of that truth in the following verses. First, in verse 22, he tells us to draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Then, in verse 23, he tells us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering because God is faithful. Finally, in verses 24-25, he encourages us to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

I. Realize the Significance of Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 10:19-21, the author is telling us that the whole of the Christian life is based on Jesus' person and work. Everything is wrapped up in Jesus - who He is, what He came to do, what He in fact accomplished and finished on our behalf. Under the old covenant, the believers who loved God and trusted Him were all required to offer sacrifices as a part of their experience of fellowship with God. But in this passage, the author of Hebrews is saying, "Christian, it is so important for you to understand that it is your duty not to offer sacrifices." If you were an Old Testament saint, it was your duty to offer sacrifices. If you are a new covenant believer, it is your duty not to offer sacrifices. You have, by Jesus' blood, by His death, and by His sacrifice, been given confidence to come in and to know God face to face. There may be something in your life that makes you fear rejection from God. However, the author of Hebrews is saying, "There need not be a fear of rejection because Jesus has provided all the forgiveness that you will ever need in His atoning sacrifice. Nothing need separate you from the love of God which is in Christ. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." The author of Hebrews is telling us that understanding this truth completely changes our lives, and in particular, he gives three encouragements that flow out of it.

II. Let Us Draw Near to God.

In Hebrews 10:22, the author of Hebrews says, "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." In Exodus chapter 19, the children of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai to meet with God, and to receive the Ten Commandments, but especially to worship Him. However, God tells Moses to tell the people not to get too close to the mountain. In other words, God says, "Come worship Me but do not draw near." Now notice what the author of Hebrews is telling us in verse 22. Because of the finished work of Christ, God wants us to draw near in full assurance. God is calling you and me to draw near to Him in full assurance. However, many of us struggle with that assurance. We struggle with really believing that God loves us, really believing that God has forgiven us, and really believing that God has poured out His blessings and His grace on us. And here the author of Hebrews is saying, "Because of what Jesus has done, God wants you to draw near to Him. You get to do what Israel could not do. You get to draw near to God in the sacrifice and atoning work of Jesus Christ."

III. Let Us Hold Fast the Confession of Our Hope.

In Hebrews 10:23, the author of Hebrews tells us that God wants us to hold on to the hope that He has given us and to trust in His promises because of the person and work of Jesus. The idea is to hold on to God and to believe His promises with consistency. That is not always an easy thing to do in the Christian life. However, the author of Hebrews is saying, "In light of what Jesus has done and in light of the fact that Jesus has brought you to God - hold on. Do not give up. Do not stop believing those promises." Why? At the end of verse 23, he says, "for he who promised is faithful." There is your motivation! Why should we keep on? Why should we hold on? Why should we not stop believing? Why should we continue to trust? Because the One who made the promises to us is faithful. It is the Heavenly Father who made those promises to you in Christ before this world began. If you trust in Jesus, He will never leave you or forsake you, He will not fail you, He will forgive you, He will accept you, and He will bring you home. In this passage, the author of Hebrews is telling you and me to hold fast to that promise.

IV. Let Us Consider One Another.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, the author of Hebrews tells us to consider one another. The first two encouragements in this passage have to do with drawing near to God and continuing to trust in Him and His promises. This third encouragement has to do with how we relate to one another. Because of Jesus, God wants us to show consideration for one another in three ways. First, he tells us to provoke one another to love and good deeds. The author of Hebrew saying, "Because of what Jesus has done for you, consider how you can provoke one another, stimulate one another, spur one another on, not to irritation, not to frustration, but to love and good deeds." Second, he says to commit ourselves to the congregational assembly of worship. Lord's Day after Lord's Day we should be committed to gathering with the saints because we need to be with one another in our Father's presence. Third, he says that we should deliberately seek to give one another encouragement. And he closes with the most interesting phrase, "and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Thus, the author of Hebrews is saying, "The end is near so encourage one another." All three of these things - drawing near, holding fast, considering one another - flow out of what Jesus has done for us in the Gospel because what Jesus has done for us in the Gospel is absolutely life changing. And the author of Hebrews wants us to believe that truth and he wants it to impact the way that we live. May we thank God for His holy Word and pray that it would lived out and experienced in our lives.






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