3Responses to Christ’s finished work
Heb.10:19-25 'therefore ,brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is , his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washes with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the DAY approaching'
* In vs 22-25, the author gives three instructions: "Let us . . . Let us . . . Let us . . . " But before we take a closer look at these instructions, we must understand that in Christianity, what we do is based on what God has already done. In vs 19-21, he summarizes what we have called the finished work of Christ. This means: Read vs 19,20. Jesus' sacrifice for our sins takes away the separation between us and God. His sacrifice paid for our sins once for all; and no further sacrifices are needed. If we come to God on this basis (rather than by our works &/or other ways), we are permanently accepted by God (GOSPEL).
Look at vs 22-25 as 3 responses to Christ's finished work . . .
Regularly relate to God (vs 22)
Read vs 22a: "Let us draw near to God . . . " The instruction is to cultivate a love relationship with God by coming into his presence.Stay focused on God's promise of eternal life (vs 23)
Read vs 23. "Hope" here refers to the afterlife God has promised to his children. The important thing is to stay focused on God's promise of eternal life. Just as the finished work of Christ promises me that God will accept me into his presence right now in spite of my sins, it also promises me that God will provide a glorious future life in spite of my present suffering.Motivate other Christians to love & serve God (vs 24,25)
So we are to motivate other Christians to love & serve God. "How can I do this? You’ve got to meet together with other Christians on a regular basis. Watching others build people up will give you ideas of how to practice vs 24.
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