You Need Endurance

Hebrews 10 closes the long argument about priests and sacrifices. The law had a shadow of the good to come. Every year the high priest offered the same sacrifices, and those sacrifices only brought a reminder of sins. The writer quotes Psalm 40, where the speaker says, Behold, I have come to do your will. Hebrews applies these words to Christ. By that will, believers have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The chapter then turns to practical urging. Since believers have boldness to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, they should draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith. They should hold fast the confession of their hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. They should consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking their own assembling together.

Then comes a serious warning. Anyone who sins willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth has no other sacrifice to rely on. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The writer reminds the readers of their earlier days, when they endured a great struggle with sufferings and joyfully accepted the plundering of their possessions. Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. You need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.