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, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 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
Scripture Notes
Living during a modern era, we benefit from the confidence we can have in the fulfillment of God’s promise and can trust His word. Instead of fear and trembling as we face the temple, we can step out in boldness, for we are a new temple, cleansed by the blood of Christ, and should not be afraid. This means that we as believers cannot slip, recede, regress, or return to our old lives when we were not in Christ. If that happens, did we really fully accept our Savior?
How should we approach the presence of God?
- SINCERE HEART – It is often mentioned that people would praise with their mouths but were not sincere in their hearts. Today, this speaks to those who honor God with their words but are distant from God. These are the people who check the box of church attendance, use scripture as a performance, or use the word of God for selfish endeavors. With a true heart, we should come before God on our knees, empty of personal ambition, and show utter humility. (Matt. 15:8)
- FULL ASSURANCE – Our faith should empower us to become the servants we are meant to be, not to be blinded by personal ambition, earthly power, or monetary gain. We should not be looking for a Plan B, a backup plan, or an earthly power for salvation. In faith, knowing that God has fulfilled the promise of the Redeemer, we should walk with firm conviction that we will be graciously accepted in God’s presence. (Rom. 8:38-39)
- HEARTS CLEANSED – We can only be redeemed if we accept the gift of salvation and submit to the transformation of a new life. By this action, we have been sprinkled with the powerful blood of Christ, figuratively speaking. Like the Israelites in Egypt sprinkling blood on doorposts, we too have been granted deliverance from the evils of death.
- BODIES WASHED – To be washed with pure water evokes baptism and the outward demonstration of an internal transformation. However, in keeping with the theme of daily practice, being washed in pure water could mean engaging in daily prayer, scripture study, and confession. When we release our wrongs to God and fill our emptiness with his word and encouragement, we are no longer hidden in darkness. (1 John 1:9)
With the knowledge of how to step forward into God’s presence and the realization that we are not supposed to be perfect, we recognize that the questions of access, a perfect High Priest, and the pollution of the world are settled. We are not forced or even merely hopeful in God’s promises, but we should have complete confidence that He who assured us eternal life will be faithful to His word. We should draw near to God under these circumstances and not look around for what else can replace Him and bring more immediate satisfaction.
In Hebrews 10:24-25, there are many misconceptions about what was meant. Many church leaders claim the Bible meant good church attendance, but we already know that just going to church does not satisfy Christ. There are also claims as to how to minister if you are not around other believers. Although these points are valid, they are surface-level concerns. Instead of perfect attendance, we should understand that encouragement need not happen only in the sanctuary, and that the motivations of the heart are more important than membership. Where, then, has the church been misaligned?
- ENCOURAGEMENT – Many leave church environments because of discouragement, judgment, condescension, being othered or excluded, and, certainly, a lack of sincerity. Instead of the church being a true sanctuary where someone can find acceptance, peace, protection, and support, God’s house has looked more like the rest of the world. With the same attitudes, distractions, negative influences, vices, and more confidence in earthly leaders rather than in Christ, it is easy to see why believers do not want to be around “The Church.”
- CORRECTION – to be encouraging even when we disagree. To show love, not in feeling but in action, and not hold wrongs against people. Live by example, doing good to others, and this way can spur on boldness in others to not give in to negativity and complaining. Believers should be inciting compassion and encouragement rather than anger and chaos.
- MEETING – In an age when we are overwhelmed with information, devoting one hour on a Sunday to fulfill the pledge of “meeting together” seems insufficient. Although it is essential to fellowship and worship with other believers, we limit ourselves if that is where we leave things. Our spiritual lives have grown opaque because many worldly things seem much brighter, more important, and more essential when in reality they are distractions from truth. Going to church does not cause salvation. True belief creates a longing in a believer to be around other believers, beyond a church service.
- CORRECTION – to not be completely unattached from the body of believers. Some might find a home church serves them, others a bible study, and so on. The critical matter is not to expect perfect attendance but more to keep anyone from believing that returning to their old life is better than walking with others in a Christlike posture.
- TIME – No one knows when the end of days will arrive, nor does any person know the days of their life. Time is a precious thing, not something to be taken for granted. We should not be so focused on control, nor should we delude ourselves into thinking we have a say over time and the life we have.
- CORRECTION – we should live as if the coming of the Lord is just on the horizon. This is not a call for sandwich boards and megaphones shouting out the end of days, but to living out the commands and principles of the Christian faith. The first is to love God above everything else. Above the economy, a house, a career, a bank account, a car, a college education, power, influence, and wealth. Even above family and friends, we are to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds. Secondly, we are to love others as we do ourselves. So, for all the ways we try to get ahead —better job, better education, better pay, better food, better clothing, better mental health, better health, better influence, more power, more strength —we should be actively pursuing those same things for other people. Likewise, when we are trying to reduce struggle, bad relationships, discouragement, hate, injustice, chaos, judgment, and threats, we should also seek to lessen them for others.
What we discover when we pull back the veil and read deeper into scripture is that we are left with words of encouragement. We should be hopeful and confident in the fulfillment of promises. We should be emboldened to step into the presence of God, knowing that Christ has paved the way for our redemption. We should be desirous to live a life invigorated by truth, motivated to act in love, and to stay steadfast in faith.
MEMORY VERse
Taddeo Zuccaro. Three Figures Supporting a Man, Smaller Sketch of the Same, and Studies for the Blinding of Elymas, c. 1558. The Art Institute of Chicago
Related Verses
More verses about thinking of others:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- How can you, your community, and your church better embody the practice of ‘spurring one another on toward love and good deeds ’?
- What are some ways that you can show encouragement to others throughout the week, not just when meeting in large groups?
- How does the knowledge of ‘the Day of the Lord approaching’ affect how you view life and the need for encouragement in your community?
MANÁ 
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