*Hebrews 10:19-39
The author of Hebrews encourages believers to hold fast to their faith, reminding them of the importance of perseverance and the certainty of God’s promises.
- Confidence in Faith:
- The passage begins by encouraging believers to have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.
- This new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, allows us direct communion with God.
- Call to Persevere:
- The author urges Christians to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, emphasizing that God who promised is faithful.
- Believers are encouraged to consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
- The importance of not giving up meeting together (as some are in the habit of doing) but encouraging one another, especially as the Day of the Lord’s return approaches.
- Warning Against Willful Sin:
- A stern warning is given about the dangers of deliberately continuing in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth.
- The text explains that no sacrifice for sins is left for those who sin willfully after coming to the knowledge of truth, only a fearful expectation of judgment and raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
- Recall of Past Sufferings:
- The author reminds the readers of earlier days after they had received the light, during which they endured in great conflicts full of suffering.
- They were publicly exposed to insult and persecution, and they stood side by side with those who were so treated.
- They sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property, knowing that they themselves had better and lasting possessions.
- Exhortation to Endurance:
- Believers are encouraged to persevere so that when they have done the will of God, they will receive what he has promised.
- The author quotes from Habakkuk: “For in just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.”
- Righteousness by Faith:
- The passage concludes with a declaration that the righteous will live by faith, but if any turn away, God takes no pleasure in them.
- Believers are urged not to be those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are saved.