Those Who Believe and Are Saved

Hebrews 10:19-39

Since We Have Confidence (10:19-25)

The writer of Hebrews has always expressed his purpose, but now draws his full attention to the encouragement of those whom Paul was pleased to call the saints – the encouragement of people like ourselves. All that he has been saying has been to enable us to have confidence; confidence to draw near to God.

It has always been the purpose of God that we should be able to draw near to him through the blood of Christ our Lord (Ephesians 3:11-12). The author wants us to have confidence; the confidence to ask whatever we will and know that we will have it (1 John 5:14-15). The confidence given us through the true and living way (John 14:1-6).

Trampled the Son of God underfoot (10:26-31)

When he has begun to encourage us, the author continues by alarming us. First he tells us something very disturbing about ourselves. As we continue to sin, we reject the only sacrifice available to us. More than that, we disgrace that sacrifice, trampling the Son of God underfoot.

John gives us quite another picture. No one who is born of God will remain in sin (1 John 3:2-9). Can we live up to that description? Is there some middle-ground between perfection and disrespect for the greatest sacrifice? What seems like such a broad spectrum is only a single choice – a choice between ourselves and God. Here the author gives us the second alarming idea: the God who is both loving and judging, the only God, the source of all things (Isaiah 45:5-7).

Better and Lasting Possessions (10:32-34)

I was very young when I accepted salvation, so I do not quite know the experience the author describes. I have never known either the degree of persecution or the level of altruism he attributes to those new converts. I do remember a day when my Christianity was more in the forefront of my mind.

I was young then. The world has taught me quite a bit. The world calls it maturity, but it is not what the author calls maturity (5:11-14). These are the choices, many small choices that make it seem like there is a spectrum from good to evil, choices between tis world and God (Matthew 16:26).

Those Who Believe and Are Saved (10:35-59)

Here the author is encouraging us again, exhorting us to have confidence. But now the courage and caution are almost in the same breath. What sort of encouragement is this, that lifts us up and at the same time always makes us mindful of the heights?

There is an encouragement that only seeks to make us feel better, to tell us that everything will be fine. This author encourages us to be children of God.

“Those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven. But those who reject me publicly, I will reject before my Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Mat 10:32-34 GNB)

Our Christianity is not some sweet-tasting serum to make us feel good. It is a fearful thing. We would neither fully accept the Promise of a God who would give us all things or the alternative to trample the Son of God underfoot. Will we make the choice? Will we be among those who shrink back, or among those who believe and are saved?