0804 FAITH IS A TEAM SPORT

AUGUST 4 = HEBREWS 10

FAITH IS A TEAM SPORT

In chapter 10, the author of Hebrews summarizes the teaching already given so well to this point, but then adds another essential detail to it. 

We are each made right with God by the sacrifice of Jesus. We each receive the blessings of being in fellowship with God’s Spirit. We have his laws in our hearts and on our minds. Our sins and lawless acts he remembers no more. No more sacrifice for sin is needed, for Christ has died once and for all.

Now it is time for our response to it all. 

First, enter in. “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.”  In other words, we boldly live in a personal relationship with the God of the universe, by following the way opened up for us in Christ. No more barriers, no more walls, no more gaining favor by our gifts.

Second, draw near. “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”  Having found ourselves dwelling there in his presence in the Holy of Holies, we have a further invitation to do what no Jew has done since Abraham, which is to be a friend of God. I come near with a sincere heart. No mixed motives. No self-serving deals. We come with faith that leaves us with no doubt that God is on our side. We come with a clear conscience that has sprinkled our heart and washed our bodies.

Third, hold on. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Faith is not built on things we see, but on hope that we hold onto, even on the dark days. That’s because we choose to believe that God is faithful, and his promises are certain.

And then comes the part of our spiritual lives that we can easily neglect: spur one another. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” Spurs are sharp metal motivators, you might say. This is the role that we fulfill in one another’s lives. None of us is in this race alone. We go through discouraging times, and temptations, and seasons of despair. That’s when we need someone to speak into our lives on God’s behalf, helping us to pick ourselves back up and keep moving forward. May we never forget how important we are to each other in this journey of faith.

Which leads to the next two parts of our spiritual disciplines: MEET TOGETHER, and ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER. “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Some Christians take their spiritual lives very seriously, but along the way they have forgotten that faith is a team sport. We do not gather together out of obligation, but we are in this together. And so, for one another’s sake, we gather together, and we speak to one another words that encourage us to keep moving forward. Isolation leads to pride, and that is not appropriate for God’s people. We desperately need those who know us best to speak loving words which the Spirit provides. This is often how we hear the voice of God, by hearing a fellow believer speak on his behalf.

And next, ENDURE. The writer adds, “—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  In that generation, persecution was a very real thing, and the Day was considered to be very much at hand. So when we go through dark times, we need each other even more. It is no time to go lick your wounds and isolate from the fellowship. When I think about what COVID-19 did to so many of us, I think this advice from Hebrews is spot on.

And lastly comes a warning: WATCH OUT! “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” How could Christ followers find themselves to fall into the hands of the living God? I suppose first by relying on their own strength and resolve, by isolating themselves, or by taking their walk with God for granted. At the final judgment, we could find ourselves facing God’s wrath rather than his well done. A neglected relationship does not remain static. We are either growing closer or drifting away from God. And it is dreadful to fall under his judgment.

May we safely walk together through this world and into Emmanuel’s land. Amen.