Consider a three-fold invitation based on the following truth:
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God… (Hebrews 10:19-21)
Since we have access (confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus) and advocacy (a great priest over the house of God), we are invited to:
- Draw near
- Hold fast
- Consider
Draw Near
…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
Like a good father, God doesn’t only want his children to obey, but to be close.
How do we draw near? With a true heart and full assurance of faith.
Though you may give your Facebook friends and coworkers a version of yourself, God wants the true you. No simulations, shadows, editing or filtering. True you with utter confidence that you are clean and clear with him thanks to Jesus’ work on your behalf.
Hold Fast
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
So much of Christianity is about letting go:
- Let go of your plans and trust God.
- Let go of bitterness and forgive.
- Let go of what’s behind and press forward.
- Let go of anxieties and pray.
- Let go of earthly treasures and lay up heavenly ones instead.
- Let go of concerns about food, clothing and life itself and seek the Kingdom.
But here we are invited to hang on to the confession of our hope.
Why? “For he who promised is faithful.” You may have to let go of everything else in your life, but never loosen your grip on the promises of God, for they are the only certainties in life.
Consider
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… (Hebrews 10:24)
Think seriously about how to stir or “jab” one another to love and good works. We are loving agitators. We poke and prod one another to move in the right direction.
How? “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near,” (Hebrews 10:25). By getting together, avoiding the habit of neglecting fellowship and encouraging one another. When we get into the habit of not going to church, it’s because we’ve stopped thinking about our brothers and sisters.
In Jesus we have access to God and a constant advocate. Therefore, let’s boldly and continually draw near to him in confident honesty. Let’s strengthen our grip on our faith in Jesus Christ. And let’s give serious thought to how we can move one another in the right direction.
