Focus Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25
The world is in peril and will continue to be so in some form or shape until the return of Christ. Jesus did not die for a homogenous church, but rather his people are comprised of every nation, tribe and tongue (Rev 7:9-10). The church is a reconstituted chosen remnant of people who have been purchased by the same blood and redeemed by the same Lord; adopted into the same Kingdom; filled, empowered towards godliness and secured by the same Spirit until we receive all the promises of God in Christ (Eph 4:30).
What divides people in the world should not be so in the church, for we are citizens of heaven. The full manifestation of the unity we have in Christ will be fully revealed upon his return; however, the Bible commands that we strive to to reflect such union to come with one another in the PRESENT. Paul affirms this truth when he says,
“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 (Eph 4:1-6).”
Having confidence in our faith is helpful in our pursuit of such unity. To experience oneness we have through Christ we need to understand what is this faith that God works in us. What does the Bible say we are to believe in and holdfast to? It is difficult to have confidence in anything we have no knowledge or 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 amongst believers? In these things God administrates 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 assuredness 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 how to love the saints according to what God says we are (i.e. identity) and not based on our many failings in the fallen world, in a corrupted body. Similarly, God relates to us in accordance who we ultimately are in the new creation, rather than by our attitudes and actions of our sinful condition. David rightly observes of God,
“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 towards 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 who God is, what should we continuously be mindful of that helps us live out his character in our daily lives with one another? I offer the following:
- We should remember we are the beloved possession of God and our identity is in Christ, our Savior. It is with this in view that we approach God’s throne of grace with confidence for our needs. Such faith grows a disposition that is quicker to be gentle, understanding, long suffering, encouraging in the faith, rather than being divisive, judgmental, and flaw finders (cf. Mt 7:1-5).
- We should remember that instead of continual blood sacrifices of goats and calves for atonement of sin, Christ placed his own body on the cross as a sin offering (Rom 8:3-4) for us. In doing so, he fulfilled all the requirements of the law (which demanded perfection) that we could not. Therefore, his death and resurrection has freed us from a self-willed life and made it possible of us to love God and one another………even when society around us consistently unable to do so.
It is time for the church to become a peculiar people once again. A people who love accordance to riches of grace received from God, rather than merit we believe people owe us as a transaction for our affection. Let us pray, mediate, and be encouraged with this focus passage of scripture (Heb 10:19-25):
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, (20) by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, (21) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from a evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) 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.” Amen.
(Other suggested scripture readings for further study and reflection: Hebrews 3:12-14, 4:14-16, 9:15-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11)
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com