December 13 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

Hebrews 10:19-29

¹⁹Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
²⁰By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
²¹And having an high priest over the house of God;
²²Let 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.
²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
²⁵Not 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.
²⁶For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
²⁷But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
²⁸He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
²⁹Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Devotional:

The author of Hebrews brings to bear upon our consciousness the greatness and the wonder of our access to God through His Son. He tells us that since we have in Christ Jesus such a great high priest we should draw near in faith and not waver.

In this context of worship and access to God we read in verse 24 concerning the social aspect of our worship. We are to 'consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds' (NASB). God is concerned that the body of Christ be closely knit and that in its oneness there should be also the development of its variety and diversity as each member is encouraged to develop his own gifts and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit who dwells within.

Then He reminds us of the need of 'assembling together' so that we may encourage one another (10:25 NASB). The concept of the church as a family is nowhere better brought out. We in the church an a family; let us function as a family. We read laments that the home is where we hang our hat, the place where mother and dad greet each other at the door as one comes in and the other goes out. We read of the need for togetherness, family living, communication. If these are needs in the human family so are they needs in the family of God. Should we not provide greater opportunity for assembling informally in circumstances where we can better 'stimulate one another to love and good deeds'?

Have we sons or daughters who do forsake the assemblies of God's people? It is our responsibility while they are living in our household to insist that they change their ways! But perhaps we ourselves have a low estimate of the church and its people. We must remember our need of the other members of the family!