“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”

(Hebrews 10:39)

A soldier who turns back in the heat of battle is both a danger to his comrades and is likely to die as his back is exposed to the battle.  Christian soldiers cannot afford to shrink back to destruction.  We must faithfully always move forward.  Our feet are shod with the gospel of peace, and the cleats must dig into the turf and hold the line.

Our faith preserves us.  Our faith sees us through the battle to the peace found on the other side… surrender is not an option.  Glory awaits, brethren.  Hold the line.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

(Hebrews 10:31)

Sometimes, no commentary is necessary.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”

(Hebrews 10:26)

God has offered tremendous provision for the sins committed by mistake or ignorance.  Jesus’ blood will cover the vilest of humanity’s sins and rebellions… but it will not cover willful sin.  The man or woman who knows what God’s will is, but ignores it, cannot be saved.

There is no sacrifice made for continued rebellion.  Without surrender, there is no salvation.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…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.”

(Hebrews 10:25)

Habits are matters of consistency and upkeep.  Most things worth having require maintenance, so they will not fall into disrepair.  Our Christian faith is no different.  We must take careful care and attention to build habits whuch will mend the worn parts of our faith, strengthen and bolster new growth, and retain existing loyalty to our Lord.  There are many means by which we can maintain our faith, but the habit of regular attendance with others of shared faith is one of the easiest.

The Hebrew writer cautions us about forsaking what we know our faith requires… especially when others’ faith will also be harmed.  We must maintain what we have, and in an era where there are so many options for you and your family’s time, please be careful to guard your heart against the excuses to not assemble.  There is no substitute for the physical proximity and face-to-face exhortation of God’s people.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…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.”

(Hebrews 10:22)

When our bodies are washed with the pure water of baptism, our conscience is cleansed at the same time.  Our conscience, which at times has panged us deeply and besieged our souls with shame over past sins, may now rest easy having been cleansed from the responsibility to remind us daily of those evil deeds.  Having been forgiven, they need no longer plague our minds and hearts with the weight of their guilt.

Hebrews reminds us that we may draw near to God, fully-assured that our past sins do not define our future.  We are washed and need no longer tremble from our unworthiness to approach Him.  We are made worthy by Jesus’ blood.  We are counted as righteous by our faith in Christ.

We need no longer carry burdens which He has already nailed to the cross.  They are gone.  We are free.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

(Hebrews 10:17)

Memories are funny things.  The human tendency is to allow our memories to be tainted by the worst moments of a person.  When we see them at their darkest or least-lovable, we take a snapshot in our hearts of who they are and stand forever in judgment of their weakness.

Thank God He is not like us!  He is not tempted to hold on to bitterness or animosity.  His desire is for reconciliation and forgiveness.  In Christ, there need be no guilt or shame separating us from His love.  Through Jesus, His memories of us are white as snow.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins”

(Hebrews 10:11)

The Jewish priests repeated the same sacrifices repeatedly precisely because they never worked.  The ritual reinforces the impermanence.  If the sacrifices were good enough, they would not have been necessary each day.

Over the centuries, millions of animals shed their blood as a constant reminder that no animal can pay for what we did.  Their blood is insufficient.  An inferior (the animals) cannot atone for the sins of their superior (mankind).  However, God sent His Son so that the blood of our superior would pay for the sins of our inferiority.

May we never forget.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the Book, it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.’”

(Hebrews 10:7)

There are many reasons to believe Jesus is the Son of God: the evidence of the empty tomb, the witnesses of the miracles, the quality of the teaching, etc.

However, Hebrews 10 reminds us there is another deeply-compelling proof of Jesus’ divine origins.  The Scriptures spoke of Him thousands of years in advance.  The Old Testament contains prophecies regarding His birth story, His genealogy, His hometown, His flight to Egypt, and even His mode of death.  So many prophecies and to such a level of detail that it begs the question – what sort of man could fulfill all of these?

The answer is a Man who is more than man.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me.”

(Hebrews 10:5)

God knew that animal sacrifices wouldn’t pay the price of sin.  He understood the cost of sin and that no offering, self-denial, or bloodied sacrifice would cover the tab.  The price was too steep for any of creation to pay.

His answer?  “Prepare a body for Me.”

God’s answer to the cost being too high for us was the decision to come down and do it for us.  He used His ability to overcome our weakness… and in so doing, He gave us the definition of love.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment”

(Hebrews 9:27)

No do overs.  No reincarnation.  No second chances.  After you die, all that is left is assessment of your life’s work.

#Heavytruth

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites