December 10th, 20

 Hold Firmly.  Come Boldly.

Today’s readings are Philemon and Hebrews 4.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

Hold firmly. Come boldly.  These are the last two instructions given in this reading.  

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. (Heb 4:14 NLT)

What is it you believe?  Do you believe that you have to perform for God in order to find life and favor with God?  This is the cornerstone of all religion.  You do this and God will do that.  Quid pro quo – this for that.  But the writer wants you to hold firmly to something altogether different.  He’s not telling you to hold firmly to religion. He wants you to hold firmly to what you believe.  

And what we believe is the Gospel.  We believe in Jesus!  The Gospel is not about our performance.  It’s about what Christ has done for us.  It’s resting in his performance, and life and work, for us – seen ultimately, on the Cross.  When we hold firmly to this, we can come boldly to the throne of grace.  

You can come boldly because you are not coming on the basis of you own merit, but on His.  It is there that you will find grace and help in your time of need.  And that time is now.  

We are always in need of the Gospel in our lives.  We are always in need of grace and help.  We are always in need of Him. So hold firmly to the Gospel, and come boldly to the throne of grace.

You are loved!