Hebrews 10:19-25 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Text Philippians 3:13-14 “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
When writing to the Philippians, Paul made it clear that one can only focus on one direction at a time; “things which are behind” or “things which are before.” Paul makes the choice to shun the past, “forgetting those things” so that he might seek the present, “reaching forth.” The writer of Hebrews sets before us some opportunities that would be worthy of seeking in the present; opportunities magnified by the phrase, “let us.” Let us seek divine companionship; “Let us draw near with a true heart” (vs.22). “By the blood of Jesus” we now have not only access to, but opportunity to enter into divine companionship with the Eternal God of Heaven; “into the holiest . . . through the veil.” The High Priest could only enter yearly, but now we have open access and an open invitation; “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). Let us seek devoted consecration; “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” Having acknowledged our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, may we seize, take possession, and keep in memory our profession. The phrase “without wavering” means not to slant, bow down, or to turn to flight. Writing to those in Galatia, Paul asked; “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth” (Galatians 5:7). Something had chopped or cut into their fixed position of rest in the Lord Jesus Christ; they had been hampered in their walk as a Christian. As ambassadors of Christ, may we represent Him well! Let us seek deeper compassion; “let us consider one another to provoke unto love.” It is one thing to express love; it is an entirely different thing to live in such a manner that you encourage love! Expressing love can be accomplished by giving your substance, but encouraging love in others requires giving yourself. Listen carefully to the words of Jesus; “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). “Love one to another” is not just expressed love, but encouraged love; it is exemplified a unifying love among the brethren. Shun the past and seek the present; the opportunity of divine companionship, devoted consecration, and a deeper compassion; it’s your choice,behind or before?