19 Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the holy of holies by means of Jesus’ blood, 20 through a new and living way that he opened up for us through the curtain, which is his body, 21 and we have a great high priest over God’s house.
22 Therefore, let’s draw near with a genuine heart with the certainty that our faith gives us, since our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.
23 Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.
24 And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. 25 Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.
Judgment for intentional sin
26 If we make the decision to sin after we receive the knowledge of the truth, there isn’t a sacrifice for sins left any longer. 27 There’s only a scary expectation of judgment and of a burning fire that’s going to devour God’s opponents. 28 When someone rejected the Law from Moses, they were put to death without mercy on the basis of the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think is deserved by the person who walks all over God’s Son, who acts as if the blood of the covenant that made us holy is just ordinary blood, and who insults the Spirit of grace? 30 We know the one who said,
Judgment is mine; I will pay people back.[a]
And he also said,
The Lord will judge his people.[b]
31 It’s scary to fall into the hands of the living God![Footnotes:
Hebrews 10:30 Deut 32:35
Hebrews 10:30 Deut 32:36; Ps 135:14]
RG AUDIO 020315"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Cindy Lowcock
Retrospection, stepping back mentally to meditate on past events, can turn negative experiences into something positive. This is especially true when we do as the Scripture reminds us and “remember the deeds of the LORD” (Psalm 77:11). Building a kind of spiritual storage box of God’s faithfulness can help us remember what we believe when we are tested by life.
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish converts to faith in Jesus Christ. They were particularly tempted to revert to the practices of Judaism. It was important for them to remember what God had done for and in them as they traversed a new way of living. God had been faithful in the past, and He would remain faithful.
Letting go is sometimes required before holding on. Like the trapeze artist who releases his body from one bar and reaches towards the other, our trust in the promises of Jesus Christ require letting go. Our faith in God calls us to remember His trustworthiness and then release ourselves. Only then may we receive the fullness of the One who is faithful.
Hymn for Today: "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Thomas O. chisholm
1. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
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