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.
Why do you we go to church? My friend Bob said one morning in Sunday School, "Programmed response." We go to church some days because we've trained ourselves to go. It's more habit than commitment...although it's a good habit. I admit there are days I do this blog because I should and because I know some people read it as there morning Bible study.
Here the author is asking for us to draw near with a sincere heart. I think this is to get close to God on purpose, to study on purpose and to worship on purpose.
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,
There are men in my church who hold to their faith no matter what. These are Godly men. Their pursuit of God makes me want to be a better man of God.
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.
I have heard people say they do not go to church. I've heard people say they have their own time with God. We need on another. We are to meet regularly. As this world is getting further and further from God we need one another all the more. Go to church. Meet in small groups. Gather together in God's name and encourage one another.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." So, how do we explain these two verses that seem to contradict each other? I believe verse 26 is speaking alone the same lines as Hebrews 6. These people have completely rejected God and forgiveness. They have made a conscious choice to walk away from God.
28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I genuinely feel sorry for those who reject God.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
The American church has not dealt with this too much. However, it is my conviction that it is coming.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
38 And,
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Any suffering we do here on Earth will be short lived in light of eternity. We will receive our reward. However you can see there will be consequences for those who shirk the things that God has called them to do. This is not a loss of salvation, but a disappointed father.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
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