“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:19-25
The world is experiencing growing pains through tribulations and will continue to do so in some form until the return of Christ. In light of these realities, we should be reminded that Jesus died for a redeemed people from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 7:9-10). The church is a reconstituted remnant of people who have been purchased by the same blood of our Lord; we are adopted into the same Kingdom, filled and empowered towards godliness, and secured by the same Spirit until we receive all the promises of God in Christ (Eph 4:30).
What disunites people in the world should not divide us in the church, for we are citizens under one King. The full manifestation of the unity we have in Him will be revealed upon His return; however, the Bible commands us to strive to reflect that future unity with one another in the present. Paul affirms this truth when he says in Ephesians 4:1-6: “I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, (3) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—(5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Having confidence in our faith helps us pursue unity. To experience oneness through Christ, we need to understand the faith that God works in us. What does the Bible say we are to believe in and hold fast to? It is difficult to have confidence in anything we know nothing about or have no experience with. How can we say we know God when we do not take advantage of the means of grace He has provided through Bible study (both personal and corporate), prayer, and fellowship among believers? In these practices, God administers our spiritual growth, thus building full assurance of our faith.
Our faith is “forward-looking” (cf. Heb 11:1-16). What we believe about God (whom we do not see) and our assurance in His promises (which we have not fully acquired) matters and impacts our ability to embrace and live out what the Word of God says. Such faith teaches us to love the saints according to who God says we are (i.e., our identity). Similarly, God relates to us according to who we ultimately are in the new kingdom to come, rather than by our attitudes and actions in this earthly life. David rightly observes of God (Ps 103:10-14), “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. (11) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; (12) as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. (13) As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. (14) For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
If our faith looks forward to all that God is, what should we continuously be mindful of to help us live out His character in our daily lives with one another? I offer the following:
- We should remember that we are the beloved possession of God and that our identity is in Christ, our Savior. With this in view, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence for our needs. Such faith fosters a disposition that is quicker to be gentle, understanding, long-suffering, and encouraging in the faith, rather than being divisive, judgmental, or critical (cf. Mt 7:1-5).
- We should remember that instead of continual blood sacrifices of goats and calves for the atonement of sin, Christ placed His own body on the cross as a sin offering for us. In doing so, He fulfilled all the requirements of the law (which demanded perfection) that we could not meet. Therefore, His death and resurrection have freed us from a self-willed life and enabled us to love God and one another—even when society around us consistently fails to do so.
It is time for the Church to become a peculiar people once again…a people who love according to the riches of grace received from God. Looking upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, is all we need to achieve obedience here to the glory of God.
(Other suggested scripture readings for further study and reflection: Romans 8:3-4, Hebrews 3:12-14, 4:14-16, 9:15-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11)
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com
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