Summary:
The author reminds us that this is not simply a cognitive discourse or mental exercise, it is real and as such calls for action. We are exhorted to live a life in keeping with the gift that we have received. And we are also to understand that the free will we are given to accept or reject this gift of sacrifice and to sign up to be covered by it is ours to make – but their are consequences for rejecting the gift.
Questions:
13. Let us:
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draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith: Pray with confidence and trust – not being timid and trying to hide my sin – God has forgiven it even before I’ve committed it.
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hold unswervingly to the hope we profess – Am I living my life with an eternity focus or a short term focus? Am living in the line or the dot at the beginning of the line? How straight is my line pointing to God or does it swerve?
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consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds – Do I encourage someone every day to come closer to the love of God?
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not give up meeting together – Am I in communion with God and my community or do I spend too much time privately with the Lord?
14. The sin is rejecting God – we are given free will to receive or reject (without it eternal life wouldn’t be a gift, it would be a forced state). If someone refuses to come into the house, they weather the storm on their own.
15. They get all that they deserve – eternity spent in regret
Conclusion:
The book of Hebrews does a good job of bridging the misunderstandings that many have between the old and new testaments, particularly in the understanding of God. Many think of the God of the old testament as one of vengeance and war, death and fury and the God of the new testament as a God of forgiveness and love. But God is God. He hasn’t changed. This was His plan from the day man decided to disobey Him. And lest anyone be confused, read vs 31: It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
God loves the world, but those who choose to stand on their own, bear the weight of their sins – a price they cannot pay. Eternity is a very long time to spend in regret.
The Notes are Good 