Let us finish the chapter.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
The preacher is making a contrasting comparison of those of us who have been obedient to the call of Christ to those under the Old Covenant who contemptuously disobeyed the Law handed down through Moses. Our righteousness is not what gets us into the Presence of God, but the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross. There were those whom God judged in this world, as an example to Israel and to us. They were dangerous to the others’ faith. If God had ignored their transgression and iniquity they would have sown doubt among the rest of the people. Verse thirty-one is the one that Jonathan Edwards preached from in his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” And it is just as appropriate today. Think about that.
The preacher reminds the audience that they have skin in the game. While they were new in the faith, they were persecuted for their faith, and gloried in the privilege. He urges them not to throw away the confidence of faith they once had. These people were impatient as today’s society. They knew what they wanted from God, and they wanted it now! It reminds me of the joke, “Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now!”
The preacher tells of his expectation that the return of Jesus was going to be in his lifetime. We know that didn’t happen yet, but the signs of His return are plain today. Those who remain faithful are just in God’s sight. But those who turn away at the last minute are worse than those who rejected Him outright.
God doesn’t want quitters. Did you start out on the Way of Life, only to sit by the side of the road and watch the traffic? Or maybe you found a side road you believed would be a shortcut? When He returns, you don’t want to be found off the road. He’ll be here any minute now. Be ready.
Ol’ Fuzzy is not employable and was denied for disability benefits. The only thing I have is the blogs. But I don’t qualify for ads on the blogs until there is enough traffic on the blogs to interest advertisers (20,000 hits per month). If you like the scribbles I post, please help me keep it going. You can leave me a gratuity by dropping a buck or two in Ol' Fuzzy's Tip Jar. This is a PayPal account I opened on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.
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