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So
the Holy Spirit explains that because of Jesus, we should not fear
that our sins will not be forgiven. When Jesus died, His death was
something brand new and life giving. It was His blood that provided
our ultimate and final forgiveness. He was the divine, holy, perfect
sacrifice. Another reason we should not fear is that Jesus is our
mediator - our great priest - the one Who obtains our forgiveness.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He is our Savior and our High Priest.
Let
Us Draw Near.
Therefore the Holy Spirit called them to do three things.
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. . . let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance
of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water. (NASB) Heb. 10:22 |
First, they should draw near rather than pull away, but they need
to draw near with a true heart. The Greek word for “sincere”
is the opposite of “deception or lying.” It has the idea
of being authentic or real. Can I ask you if you really believe in
Jesus? Oh, I do not mean do you believe that Jesus existed? History
has plenty of proof He really did walk this earth. No, I mean do you
really believe Jesus! 1 Cor. 15:2 tells us that it is possible for
us to believe but yet not really believe.
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. . . by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word
which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (NASB)
1 Cor. 15:2 |
Is your faith vain? Do you believe but yet not really believe? Are
you going to heaven or hell? Some of these Jews believed in Jesus
yet were in danger of going to hell because they did not really believe
Jesus, just like people today. They knew Jesus existed. He had died
only about twenty to thirty years previously. But not all of them
believed that Jesus could forgive their sins. That is the difference
between living with God and living in hell. The
Holy Spirit is calling them to honestly, truthfully believe. They
can do this because their sins have been washed away.
Let
Us Hold Fast.
Next He calls them to hold fast to what they believe without wavering.
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Let
us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for
He who promised is faithful; (NASB) Heb. 10:23 |
A
true heart says I believe, and means it and holds on. A wavering heart
is a doubting heart. It is a heart that is not convinced that Jesus
is its hope. A mark of a mature Christian is stability.
Let
Us Consider.
Finally, the Holy Spirit encourages them to reach out to others.
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.
. . and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love
and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as
is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the
more, as you see the day drawing near. (NASB) Heb. 10:24-25 |
The Greek word for “stimulate” is the same Greek word for
“sharp disagreement” in Acts 15:39. Paul and Barnabas had
a disagreement about whom they should take with them on a trip. Barnabas
wanted to take John Mark and Paul disagreed. They had a strong disagreement.
The Bible says it was “sharp disagreement.”
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And
Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with
them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take
him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone
with them to the work. And there arose such a sharp disagreement
that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark
with him and sailed away to Cyprus. (NASB) Acts 15:37-39 |
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