Whatever you do in life, it is always so much easier if you have someone cheering you on and supporting you. Everything from sport, performing, going for a job interview and even giving birth. It is better to know there is someone on your side.
The writer to the Hebrews goes on with expounding the fact that Jesus has made the only sacrifice that is necessary, and nothing can keep us from the presence of God. They then move on to the practical outworkings of that in the Christian life.
Hebrews 10:11-14 and 19-25
11 The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.
Encouragement and Warning
19 My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place 20 by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.
21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God’s house. 22 So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. 24 We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. 25 Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.
As we live as a community of people of faith, we should be encouraging one another – cheering each other on.
Living out the Christian faith can be hard at times. We need to support one another when the going gets tough, to encourage each other to step out and try things, to help remind each other what it is all about, to love and accept each other as we work it out together in our place and time.
So let’s get practical and specific:
- How can we go about encouraging each other?
- What can you do to encourage the Christians in your church and community?
- What do you do to support those who need it?
- DO we know each other well enough to know how to support each other?
