FAITH - 1

FAITH (1)

Hebrews 10:19-39 (NIV)

 PROFESSION OF FAITH

Faith accepts the Bible’s record of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished on our behalf. It also draws near to God and clings to Him tenaciously. The believer accepts the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice and enters God’s presence with confidence. Faith believes the Bible implicitly, knowing it is God’s living self-expression and so submits to its judgment. Finally, faith is willing to suffer with Christ, knowing it will receive a good reward.

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

10:19-21 Confidence to enter God’s presence is founded on the blood of Jesus and His high priestly ministry.

10:22 Worship from a true heart, that is, with complete sincerity of purpose, must be based on an assurance of the justifying power of the blood of Christ (Rom. 5:1), and the sanctifying cleansing of the Word of God (Eph. 5:26).
10:23 The confession of our faith in the future consummation of our salvation will never waver as long as it is grounded on the faithfulness of the One that promised.

10:24, 25 Love for one another in Christ must manifest itself in works of love and gathering together in His name.

10:26,27 One of the most solemn warnings against apostasy found in the Scriptures. If one willfully forsakes Christ, there is no other sacrifice for sin.

10:28, 29 There are degrees of punishment. The one who despised Moses’ law suffered the judgment prescribed in Deut. 17:2-6. An apostate from Christianity will suffer an even sorer punishment, for he has treated the Son of God with scorn, regarded His blood as unholy and unclean, and done despite the Holy Spirit.

10:30, 31 The Scriptures testify that God’s judgment is certain and absolute.

10:32-39 The writer encourages his readers by reminding them of their past endurance in the midst of trials, their compassion toward others, and the imminent return of the Lord.

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/President/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
info@biblestoriestheatre.org
www.biblestoriestheatre.org