Hebrews 10:22-25 CEV
So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.
There are so many things vying for our attention. The things we desire often elude us and those things that we are trying to avoid seems to always be on our heels. From time-to-time, we all need encouragement to stay on course and not be consumed by the ups and downs of life.
The writer of Hebrews says that we are to keep our hearts pure and maintain a clear conscious by avoiding evil, knowing that our bodies have been washed with clean water. Preceding our focal verses, the writer says that we gain confidence and sustain a pure heart through our relationship with Jesus. This is what gives us our faith. It is faith that allows us to trust the one who gives us access to a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. We can trust Him to keep the promises, which should motivate us to be thoughtful of others and to do helpful things to assist in any way we can. That’s why the writer encouraged us to develop and maintain the habit of meeting to worship together.
During the pandemic, face-to-face meetings were not possible. For two-plus years, many, if not most, church services were either virtual or by conference calls. This scripture was written long before there were telephones, video cameras, or any other form of electronic communication, yet the writer encouraged us to develop and then maintain the habit of meeting. When we meet, we encourage each other. It doesn’t matter whether we meet face-to-face or virtually, we should be meeting and encouraging each other.
Our encouragement of each other is specific. The New Living Translation interprets verse 24 by saying we are to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Being an encourager helps us to inspire others to give their best at whatever they are doing with acts of love and good works. I cannot imagine anyone not wanting to be an encourager if they can have that kind of influence. Let me encourage you to be an encourager!
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company and The J. Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting, an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords).
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