I wasn’t planning on writing a post on Hebrews 10:19-36 but these verses kept coming back to me over and over again so I finally succumbed to the challenge. This passage gives us (at least) five tips for Christian life.

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. (Hebrews 10:19-21, MSG,*)

Because  Jesus has prepared the way for us, we can 1) approach God freely in faith. Let’s not pass by this opportunity! It is tremendous! It is wondrous. We are invited and called to spend time with God daily.

22 Let us approach 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 2) persevere and stick to God’s promises. Let’s be steadfast and embrace what God is doing. Let’s not waver but keep on trusting. Our God is trustworthy, let’s celebrate the One who is faithful.

²³ Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

Let’s see how inventive we can be in 3) encouraging each other on this journey to God. We are in this together and we do need each other. We are meant to bless as we are blessed by God.

²⁴ And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,

Let’s 4) not avoid worshiping and gathering together in Jesus’ name. It is so tempting to sleep in on Sunday morning. But it is our loss. God does not needs us but we need him. The fellowship of believers uplifts us and keeps us on the right track.

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 approaching.(Hebrews 10:22-25, NRSV,*)

5) Do not reject Christ no matter what. Now that you know God’s grace, don’t put it in vain. It is not a light matter.

^26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me. (Hebrews 10:26-31, MSG,*)

Stay with God’s plan and abide in Christ daily. If you embrace these five tips for Christian life, you will blessedly advance on your Christian way.

Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. ³⁶ For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36, AMP,*)

This is the time for spiritual endurance.
This is the time for persistent perseverance.
This is the time for spiritual alertness.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for guiding me in your Word.
Thank you for Jesus preparing the way to you.
Thank you for invitation to spend time with you.
Help me to persevere and stick to your promises.
Empower me to encourage others along the way.
Make fellowship of believers irresistible and
keep me from ever rejecting Jesus.
Fill me with your Spirit and
use me for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you practice these tips for Christian life? What would you add?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you put your faith in practice daily!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Jason Smith, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.