Hebrews 10:19-39

Now that the author has so firmly established the greatness of the New Covenant and the superiority of Jesus as High Priest, he turns to practical application. What should we do as a result of these great truths?

1. Draw near to God! (22)

Whereas God seemed unapproachable under the formalities of the Old Covenant, the New Covenant provides a path for intimacy with God. This is a bold reality that can be expereienced 'sincerely' and with 'full assurance' (words that weren't produced by the Old Covenant). Whereas the Old Covenant dealt with externals, the New Covenant touches our 'hearts' and our 'bodies'!

2. Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess! (23)

Since the New Covenant is so much better and this High Priest is so much greater, why would we turn from it? The opposite should occur! We should hold onto Jesus (now that we have drawn near) with a passion and delight ourselves in the hope that all His promises are worth their weight in gold!

3. Spur one another on! (24)

The New Covenant is for people of every race, religious background, nation, language, etc. And it is for all these together. This great salvation is not individualistic. Instead, we become 1 body! That is the mystery of the Gospel. Because of this truth, we shall encourage one another toward 'love' and 'good deeds'!

4. Continue meeting together! (25)

It seems many 1st century believers were neglecting their earthly purposes. It is possible to be so spiritually minded that you are of no earthly goood. Such is not true spirituality! The people of the New Covenant are to share their lives together! They encourage one another more and more as time goes by.

5. Cease deliberately sinning! (26)

To continue sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth is a rebellion against the Spirit of grace. Those who choose to rebel like this only have judgment to look forward to. It is even more serious to reject the New Covenant that it was to reject the Old Covenant since the New Covenant involves the blood of the Son of God.

6. Persevere with passion! (36)

Often times when someone first enters into the New Covenant, they face suffering, insult & persecution with great courage and boldness because they knew their spiritual inheritance was worthh far more than earthly comforts. But it is easy for such boldness to fade with time. We must continue to focus on the future and follow Christ with wreckless abandon! The moment we start to give up is the same moment we start to be destroyed. Instead, we must keep believing in order to continue experiencing salvation!