Devotionals for February 6, 2024
Be praying for Night to Shine Prom this weekend!
READ
Hebrews 10:19-22
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us 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.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us 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.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
REFLECT
What images come to mind when you think of an ideal church community? Perhaps you think of potlucks? Worship gatherings? Small groups where people are comforted and uplifted? These are all good things. But where does spiritual *confrontation* exist in your definition of an ideal church community? Harsh, fleshly judgment is not what the Bible has in mind when it speaks of church discipline or confrontation. However, there is something wrong with a church—or a friend—in whose presence sin is safe to manifest. We often speak of the chief purpose of the Christian community as loving others. This is true. Jesus and Paul both emphasize the love of God and others as the greatest commandment. But have we mistakingly redefined love to exclude moments of confrontation? Have we forgotten our Lord’s rebuke of Peter?
In the Hebrews passage, we are commanded to stir one another up. The language used in this text denotes provoking or inciting another to action. There is something active and forceful involved. The writer of Hebrews tells us to aim our stirring toward the promotion of “love and good works.” This is impossible to do in superficial communities. Only in the deep, rich, intimate fellowship a church provides can we gain access to each other to do this.
In the Hebrews passage, we are commanded to stir one another up. The language used in this text denotes provoking or inciting another to action. There is something active and forceful involved. The writer of Hebrews tells us to aim our stirring toward the promotion of “love and good works.” This is impossible to do in superficial communities. Only in the deep, rich, intimate fellowship a church provides can we gain access to each other to do this.
APPLY
Q: Why does the writer of Hebrews encourage believers to “gather?”
Q: Who in your life can you allow to stir you up to love and good works?
Q: What does it look like to provoke holiness in another?
Q: Who in your life can you allow to stir you up to love and good works?
Q: What does it look like to provoke holiness in another?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, help us to pursue a real community that honors your goals for your church! Amen.
Lord, help us to pursue a real community that honors your goals for your church! Amen.