We Are People Who Believe
And Are Saved
So
let us come near to God with an honest and true heart. Let us come near with a
faith that is sure and strong. Our hearts have been sprinkled. Our minds have
been cleansed from a sense of guilt. Our bodies have been washed with pure
water.
Let
us hold firmly to the hope we claim to have. The One who promised is faithful.
Let
us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to
do good works. Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of
doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do
it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return.
What
if we keep sinning on purpose? What if we do it even after we know the truth?
Then there is no offering for our sins. All we can do is to wait in fear for
God to judge. His blazing fire will burn up his enemies.
Anyone
who did not obey the law of Moses died without mercy
if there were two or three witnesses. What should be done to anyone who has
hated the Son of God or has said no to him? What should be done to a person who
treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that makes him holy? What
should be done to someone who has made fun of the Holy Spirit who brings God's
grace? Don't you think people like that should be punished more than anyone
else?
We
know the One who said, "I am the One who judges people. I will pay them
back."—(Deuteronomy 32:35)
Scripture also says, "The Lord will judge his people."—(Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14)
It is
a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Remember
those earlier days after you received the light. At that time you stood firm in
a great struggle. You did it even in the face of suffering.
Sometimes
you were made fun of in front of others. You were treated badly. At other times
you stood side by side with people who were being treated like that. You
suffered together with people in prison. When your property was taken from you,
you accepted it with joy. You knew that God had given you better and more
lasting things.
So
don't throw away your bold faith. It will bring you rich rewards. You need to
be faithful. Then you will do what God wants. You will receive what he has
promised. In just a very little while, "The one who is coming will come.
He will not wait. The one who is in the right will live by faith. If he pulls
back, I will not be pleased with him." —(Habakkuk
2:3,4)
But
we aren't people who pull back and are destroyed. We are people who believe and
are saved.
Hebrews 10:22-29
It is
a time for new beginnings. A New Year and a time to give our
all to our Lord Jesus.
We
don’t pray and read the Bible to get a perfect, trouble-free life. Pursuing God
is not cause and effect. We do it because it draws us closer in our relationship
with the One who is perfect. The pursuit of godliness will not exempt us from
trouble. But a life dedicated to loving and pursuing God is always a good idea
– no matter what happens.
The roots of stability come from being grounded in God’s Word and
prayer.
Our Daily Bread –