As “The Day” approaches
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings....Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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. Hebrews 10:19-25
Our life of worship should be characterized by “confidence.” This should be the mark of every Christian and this was made possible because of the privilege God gave us in coming to His throne of grace in prayer. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). A reminder of the privilege we have in prayer and the cost involved in making the way possible should help us overcome our natural reluctance and laziness in the area of prayer. “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” (v. 20). Confidence is not acting presumptuously. So here in verse 22, there are certain conditions which must ever mark the sincere worshiper: “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” Confidence stems from the sincerity of our heart that was cleansed through the forgiveness of our sin. This sincerity is also manifested in the hope that we have. This hope is what we proclaim through the witness of lips and our lives. “The hope we profess for he who promised is faithful” (v. 23). What bolsters the confidence of the believers is their trust in the One who made the promise. In a society often characterized by hopelessness and despair, as reflected in popular songs and slogans, this witness is powerful. It all links with the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises. This is what provides strength to the believer and an offer to the seeker. We are not alone in this for we have been called upon to “spur one another on towards love and good deeds” (v. 24). We are exhorted to cause a stir, but one which leads to love and Christian activity. Such stirring cannot be done from a distance. Human nature changes little and there is a temptation to keep aloof from fellowship. This becomes an excuse for absence from church attendance. There was a lack of knowledge of the truth about the importance of togetherness in the work of the gospel. There was also a spirit of superiority believing that “I do not need others.” There was a fear of being counted among an undecided crowd, a natural laziness, not wanting too demanding of a commitment. Such attitudes should have no place in the life of the believer “all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Blessings
