ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
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ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
Heb 10:19-25
"…let us encourage one another…." (v.25).
"Therefore" of v.19 begins another new section of Hebrews. It looks back to two great truths expounded thus far. Both are introduced by the phrase "since we have" (vv.19,21).
Firstly, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. It is that part of the Temple in Jerusalem which no one entered, except the high priest and that only once a year. When Jesus died, the curtain which forbade access to the Place was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15.38). The way is open now for us to enter, not with dread but with confidence.
Secondly, we have a great priest, none other than Jesus Himself. He not only died as a sacrifice to open the way for us to God, He continues as a priest to intercede for us. I once had to meet a friend for lunch at a rather exclusive club. I was afraid I might not be allowed in because I was not a member. My friend, understanding my apprehension, promised to call the receptionist to inform her of my coming. As a further assurance, he said, "Don't worry, I'll make sure I'm there earlier to see you in."
Jesus has already provided a way for us to approach God. He now stands at the entrance to see us in. How can we miss or spurn such privileges? "Let us draw near to God," the author exhorts us. We must come with sincerity ("with a sincere heart") and certainty ("in full assurance of faith") (v.22). Are we so overly confident that we are putting up a show when we come to the Lord? Or are we so lacking in confidence that we are not sure if we will be accepted? Neither is the right attitude. We should not pretend, neither should we doubt.
The author gives three more positive "let us". "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" (v.23). "Let us consider how we spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (v.24). "Let us encourage one another' (v.25). True, our faith is personal, and our hope is in God alone. But when we come to God, we come to Him together with other believers.
We must never under-estimate the power of mutual encouragement. A few words, a simple gesture or our mere presence can do wonders to a fellow-pilgrim. For this reason, we are urged not to stop meeting together. In his book, (God's Forgetful Pilgrims, Michael Griffiths asserts (p.24), "The concept of a solitary saint is foreign to the New Testament writers," noting that of the 62 occurences of the word saint, only once is it used in the singular (Phil 4.21). Obviously, God means us to be plural.
Am I a solitary saint?
