And Let Us Consider How We May Spur One Another On Toward Love & Good Deeds
Fellowship And Worship Are Essential For Growth
HEBREWS 10:19-25
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:19-25 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/heb.10.19-25.nkjv
Only a High priest could enter the Holiest place in the Temple which had been sealed from view by a veil (curtain), which he did once a year on the day of Atonement when he offered the sacrifice for the nation’s sins.
But Jesus, by the spilling of His blood, removed the veil that hid God from His people, that every believer could come into God’s presence at any time through the blood of Jesus Christ, the High Priest over the house of God.
Jesus Christ gave Himself as the Lamb that was the ultimate sacrifice which payed for all the sin of the world.
God no longer sees His people as sinners, for Jesus paid the debt of sin with His own blood, setting the captives free from the wages of sin.
Today, because of what Christ has done, we Spirit filled believers can come into God’s presence, not halfheartedly or with improper thoughts or hidden agendas, but wholeheartedly with pure, sincere worship.
We can be certain our motives will be right by our submission and cooperation to God (see ROMANS 12:1-2), as His word works in us and through us, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Furthermore, we believers can approach God boldly, free from guilt and in full assurance because of the selfless works and actions of Jesus Christ.
We can confidently go to God without doubt, being certain that He will hear and answer us. Jesus said, If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 14:14 NKJV
Under this new covenant, God’s Spirit joins our spirit and is made holy and our hearts, minds, and conscience shall be cleansed and completely purified (9:14).
Therefore, because our conscience is clean, we can enter boldly into God’s presence without shame.
Our new life in Christ comes with some amazing privileges: We have personal access to God; indeed He is our helper and He will never leave us (JOHN 14:16-18).
In Old Testament times the high priest would sacrifice an animal and then enter the Holy of Holies with a line attached to him, because if there was un-dealt with sin in him, he would die In Gods presence and the people would pull him out with the line (LEVITICUS 16:2-30).
But today, we believers can draw near and enter the Holy place without any elaborate religious system; we can strengthen our faith, for we are cleansed of all sin, past and future by the blood of Jesus Christ.
We can overcome doubts and questions, and through direct conversation with God, we can deepen our relationship with Him and our faith will naturally grow.
Furthermore, through quality fellowship, we can encourage and spur one another on, and receive the vital motivation and encouragement that we need from others.
Assembly and good quality fellowship is vital for growth, and draws the whole congregation into intimacy with God as the body comes together with Christ in worship, praise, and thanksgiving.
Furthermore, assembly brings opportunity to pray for and help one another through the trials, testing, and challenges that all believers face.
Therefore, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:23-25 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
