Transcript

I can imagine the first-century readers of the book of Hebrews wading through the deep theological truths they have read thus far and perhaps at this point saying to themselves, “It’s time to learn what this all means for my life now. Tell me how I should live today.” Well, after nine and a half chapters of rehearsing great truths, there is a shift here; the remainder of the book moves toward practical application for living out our faith in Christ, who is greater than all.

As we sail back into chapter 10, the author summarizes two great truths he has already established. The first truth is stated in verses 19-20:

We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.

People were barred from entering the Most Holy Place in the Jerusalem temple. But now we all can confidently enter the very presence of God because Christ has opened the way through His once-for-all sacrifice. This was symbolized at Jesus’ death, when the curtain in the earthly temple was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38).

The second truth is stated in verse 21: “We have a great priest over the house of God.” Jesus Christ’s priesthood has been discussed at length in Hebrews already. He is ministering as high priest over every believer as He intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Each of these two statements is preceded by the word “since.” It is since these twin truths are real, the author can present here three things we should do. These are personal invitations, and all three begin with the words, “Let us.”

I had a pastor tell me this is the great “lettuce passage,” and if you want to be spiritually healthy, you need to eat this lettuce. Well, here is the first bite:

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (verse 22)

Because Christ has opened the way for us, we are invited to “draw near” to Him in prayer. The very presence of God is now available to us.

Here is the second bite: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (verse 23). We are encouraged to hang on, but we are promised He will never let us go.

The third helping of “lettuce” is in verses 24-25: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” Beloved, no New Testament author would have conceived of the idea that a Christian could be separated from a local assembly. Unless separated from the church due to discipline for unrepentant sin, the Christian’s life was never considered a solo journey. Christianity is a community project, a fellowship of family members in Christ.  

I have seen it over and over again in my pastorate: the first step in walking away from God was when someone walked away from the people of God. A hot coal from a fireplace is not going to keep its warmth for very long if it is removed from the other coals in the fire. If you move away from the body of Christ, it will not be long before your heart turns cold toward the things of God.

I also know a lot of people who “date” the church like they date other people. Just as they move from one person to the next and never get married because they cannot find the perfect person, they are constantly looking for the perfect church. The truth is, you will never find a perfect church. In fact, the moment you join a church, it will become even more imperfect because that is what you and I are—imperfect.

Find a church that is faithful to the Word of God, and then become faithful to the people of God in that family.

The writer then interrupts these invitations to give another warning, perhaps driven by the thought of a believer abandoning the church:

If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment. (verses 26-27)

Some people take this as a proof text that you can lose your salvation. But once again, the breadth of Scripture teaches the security of the believer, not insecurity.

The author explains further in verses 29-30:

How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? … “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.”[1]

The author then adds in verse 31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Now is the author writing to pretend Christians or genuine Christians? Well, there is certainly application to both, but I believe this passage, and all of Hebrews, is directed toward Jewish believers. He is warning them of the possibility of falling into willful sin and rebellion to the point they can hardly be distinguished from unbelievers.

And here is the warning: for Christians to live like unbelievers is to face God’s discipline. This discipline might involve the Lord taking their lives early. Paul wrote that some of the Corinthian believers had died under God’s discipline because they took communion while cherishing sin (1 Corinthians 11:30). John the apostle talks about sinning unto death (1 John 5:16); he also speaks about believers forfeiting, not their salvation, but their full reward (2 John 8).

Believers are invited to save themselves from this severe discipline of their heavenly Father by repenting and submitting to His will.[2]

These Hebrew Christians had another reason to slip back into worldly living and keep their Christianity a secret. The author writes, “Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings” (verse 32). These people faced persecution and pressure to return to the safety of Judaism—their old lives, their old communities and friendships.

Verse 33 indicates other believers around them were put in jail for their faith. And verse 34 says they all experienced “the plundering of [their] property.” I do not know many Christians who have suffered to this extent.

Evidently these Hebrew Christians now are enduring another cycle of persecution, and they are tempted to believe Christianity is not worth more pain and suffering. So, the author encourages them, writing, “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (verse 35). He is saying, “You might be weary, but don’t grow so weary that you give up or give in. Your reward is coming one day.”

This is where you might be today. The spiritual battles are heating up. The pressure in your family or at the job is bearing down on you because of your testimony. The temptation to give in, to give up, on your public commitment to Christ is very real for you today. Like the Jewish Christians addressed here in verse 36, you “have need of endurance.”

The author tells his readers—and you today—to stay faithful to Christ, because this life is not the final chapter in your story. Keep trusting the Lord, living by faith. As he writes in verse 38, “My righteous one shall live by faith.”[3] When you trust Him, you will not “shrink back,” as verse 39 puts it, and suffer the consequences of disobedience.

So, let us not waste our lives by cherishing sin. Let us stay loyal to Christ and trust Him as we walk by faith. This is not a day to shrink back; this is a day to stand up and press on and keep looking ahead to the day when Jesus will make everything right.