“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.” Then he adds, “ I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)
Do you know what I love most about scripture?
Scripture displays the heart of God wooing, reminding, chastising, and giving every opportunity for selfish hearts to turn to Him for healing. A spiritual healing from the love of money, sexual immorality, lack of love for others, the need for approval, our selfish pride, love of material things, and even putting the love of our children above Him.
Yes, we need the kind of healing only Christ has the power to offer! Then God will then remember our lawless deeds no more. What? All those things mentioned previously, are lawless deeds?
Yes! Anything, we love above our Lord and placed higher in our priorities above Him is a lawless deed. I am guilty, maybe we both are. But at the same time, we can be thankful! The love of things or people above God does not have to take over our lives.
The writer of Hebrews urges us to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:22-23.
English Standard Version
This may be just as hard for us today as it was the first century Christians. After all, after they were enlightened, they endured a hard struggle with sufferings, public reproach, and affliction (vs. 32).
They joyfully accepted the plundering of their property, as many Christian throughout the world do today in India, Europe, the Middle East, China, and Korea…..because they knew they had “a better possession and an abiding one (vs. 34).
The better possession of course is eternity with God. The writer of Hebrews assures us to not shrink back but have faith and preserve our souls (vs. 39) It’s deep, I know, and a little scary. But so real to our fellow Christians around the world today.
Their reality may hit a weak spot in our souls. Do we see a glimpse of what they endure coming here? I think we do. Are We ready to defend our faith to the death? Will we refuse a very suspicious vaccine that will be mandated in order to continue in a job we’ve enjoyed for years? Will our children and grandchildren be spared the coming judgment for our nation?
Truthfully, we don’t know, but we do have hope! We have powerful weapons to prepare! We have hearts that love and serve our Lord! We offer up a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name (Hebrews 13:16). We share what we have with a clear conscience and we desire to act honorably in all things (13:19). Most of all, we pray fervently, that hearts and minds of our loved ones and all we know with turn to Him for healing and salvation!
The faithful, promising hope of Jesus and His truth, dear friends, is what you and I can love about scripture!