Let Us Come Near to God
We have, then, my friends, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. He
opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain—that is, through his own body. We have a great priest in
charge of the house of God. So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have
been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. Let us hold on firmly to the hope we
profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to
show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us
encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.
For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been
made known to us. Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will
destroy those who oppose God! Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when
judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses. What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who
treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just
think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve! For we know who said, “I will take revenge, I will repay”;
and who also said, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shown on you, you suffered many
things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times
you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all
your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something
much better, which would last forever. Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward. You
need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises. For, as the scripture says,
“Just a little while longer,
and he who is coming will come;
he will not delay.
My righteous people, however, will believe and live;
but if any of them turns back,
I will not be pleased with them.”
We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved.
Hebrew 10:19-39