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the full assurance that faith brings

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:19-25

The writer of Hebrews is trying to encourage a church that is under heavy persecution.  In the midst of these trials, there is a strong temptation to quit.  One or two challenges might be surmountable; a seemingly constant barrage of conflict and struggle is hard to bear.

Please note: the writer does not tell them to work harder.  He doesn’t say “suck it up.”

Instead, he reminds them of the transformational death of Jesus.  This death …

  • Creates a new and living way between you and God.
  • Allows us to draw near to God.
  • Cleanses our hearts from a guilty conscience.

In short, the death of Jesus offers “the full assurance that faith brings.”

Do you live with full assurance?  Do you approach each day with a God-inspired “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” attitude?

Any gambler would love to have full assurance of how a game will turn out.  Truth is, they don’t … and that is why it’s called gambling.  There is always the unknown, the uncertain.  Even the best of information is still incomplete.

When it comes to experiencing a God-centered life, however, you are not a gambler.

The Christ-inspired life is not a gamble that God may or may not be able to deliver on his word.

The Bible promises you can live with “full assurance.”  What does this look like?  It means you “hold unswervingly to the hope you [we] profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  The confidence comes from God, who is faithful.

You can live with full assurance.  You really can.

—– DIG DEEPER —–

On the Verge by Alan Hirsch. Challenges you to think about what a missional life would look like.