Hebrews 10:19-25
19 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh,21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds,25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
By a new and living way: The New Covenant is a better hope and a better covenant based on better promises. God’s home is now in believers not buildings as in the Old Covenant. Christians, therefore, have no reason to mix law and Gospel because they have the better covenant by far.
Inaugurated for us: Jesus’ death began the New Covenant. So, while He lived and taught under the law, the New Covenant began at His death. This New Covenant is for us, God’s children.
Let’s approach God: While we often pray to be closer to God, God has actually made the way to closeness perfectly clear. The way to closeness is the New Covenant. Once we believe in Jesus, we are close to God. This is far different from following Christian principles in order to get close to God.
Pure water: The author of Hebrews makes it clear that our salvation is complete in Jesus. Therefore, baptism does not add to salvation. It is a symbol of dying and raising with Christ.
Confession…promise: We believe in the Gospel of a God who is faithful. This means that Christians are covered even when they sin. God promised to save all who come to Jesus perfectly. This is why a New Covenant was needed. God removed all sin so that He would never leave us.
How to encourage one another: Christians can encourage one another in the Christian life. This is why it is so important for Christians to come together. Not as some way of getting righteous before God, but to have relationship with one another. As we come together, we can encourage one another to express the fruit of the Spirit within us. We remind one another of the New Covenant blessings achieved by Christ. God’s grace encourages good works (see also Titus 2:11-14).
