These are five exhortations, words of encouragements. They are grounded in two very important facts. First, since we have confidence...and second, since we have a great high priest.
The first “Let us” encourages us to draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…. (v.22). We cannot draw near to God if we are not aware that we are far from God. The Apostle James tells us, "Come near to God and He will come near to you" (James 4:8). The Prodigal Son repented and returned to his father. Moses at the burning bush came closer to God. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Further, we are encouraged to draw near to God with a sincere heart—a heart which knows God's forgiveness, a heart which has forgiven his/her enemies.
The second “Let us” encourages us to hold unswervingly (NIV) to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (v.23). Although circumstances around us give no hope, we can trust the faithfulness of God. Moses left the palace of Pharaoh to serve the living God. Joseph trusted God when ill treated by his own brothers, his master's wife and the forgetfulness of the cup bearer. Ernest Gordon, former Chaplain to Princeton University, writes about his friend Dusty Miller in "Through the valley of the Kwai." Both were prisoners of war in the hands of Japanese in Thailand. Dusty’s father was a gardener and Dusty also enjoyed gardening. When a discussion about weeds came up Dusty said, "When people are down on their knees weeding they think only of the weeds and never of the flowers. I like to think of growing flowers, not weeds. But if I am to grow flowers, I must deal with the weeds. So I don't mind doing that." Many of us are prisoners of the wrong thinking pattern. We may blame our parents, teachers, friends or relatives for our failures.
The third “Let us” encourages us to consider how we may spur (NIV) one another on toward love and good deeds (v.24). We are encouraged to focus our eyes on the needs of others. General William Booth, the founder of Salvation Army, from his sickbed just before he died dictated a one-word telegram that would be his last sermon to his "soldiers”. His final message was this: "Others!" If we had to give our last word today, what would it be—a self-word or a servant word? "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, to everyone you can, as long as you ever can - do all the good you can" (John Wesley). "Count that day lost in which you've not done something good for another."
The fourth “Let us” encourages us not to give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing (v.25). Our generation easily gives up and switches to new products. The author warns us of the temptation to give up easily. This disease of giving up is very contagious. Peter, after Jesus' death said to his friends, "I go fishing" and many followed him.
The fifth and last “Let us” challenges us to encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (v.25). In this encouragement, admonishing, warning and urging are included. We must do all we can to encourage one another. It is a spiritual ministry. The Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Are you an encourager? We need more encouragers.
May the Lord grant us His grace to accept these five “Let Us” commands of Hebrews 10!
The first “Let us” encourages us to draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…. (v.22). We cannot draw near to God if we are not aware that we are far from God. The Apostle James tells us, "Come near to God and He will come near to you" (James 4:8). The Prodigal Son repented and returned to his father. Moses at the burning bush came closer to God. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Further, we are encouraged to draw near to God with a sincere heart—a heart which knows God's forgiveness, a heart which has forgiven his/her enemies.
The second “Let us” encourages us to hold unswervingly (NIV) to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (v.23). Although circumstances around us give no hope, we can trust the faithfulness of God. Moses left the palace of Pharaoh to serve the living God. Joseph trusted God when ill treated by his own brothers, his master's wife and the forgetfulness of the cup bearer. Ernest Gordon, former Chaplain to Princeton University, writes about his friend Dusty Miller in "Through the valley of the Kwai." Both were prisoners of war in the hands of Japanese in Thailand. Dusty’s father was a gardener and Dusty also enjoyed gardening. When a discussion about weeds came up Dusty said, "When people are down on their knees weeding they think only of the weeds and never of the flowers. I like to think of growing flowers, not weeds. But if I am to grow flowers, I must deal with the weeds. So I don't mind doing that." Many of us are prisoners of the wrong thinking pattern. We may blame our parents, teachers, friends or relatives for our failures.
The third “Let us” encourages us to consider how we may spur (NIV) one another on toward love and good deeds (v.24). We are encouraged to focus our eyes on the needs of others. General William Booth, the founder of Salvation Army, from his sickbed just before he died dictated a one-word telegram that would be his last sermon to his "soldiers”. His final message was this: "Others!" If we had to give our last word today, what would it be—a self-word or a servant word? "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, to everyone you can, as long as you ever can - do all the good you can" (John Wesley). "Count that day lost in which you've not done something good for another."
The fourth “Let us” encourages us not to give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing (v.25). Our generation easily gives up and switches to new products. The author warns us of the temptation to give up easily. This disease of giving up is very contagious. Peter, after Jesus' death said to his friends, "I go fishing" and many followed him.
The fifth and last “Let us” challenges us to encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (v.25). In this encouragement, admonishing, warning and urging are included. We must do all we can to encourage one another. It is a spiritual ministry. The Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Are you an encourager? We need more encouragers.
May the Lord grant us His grace to accept these five “Let Us” commands of Hebrews 10!