October 21 | Hebrews 10:26-39

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 10:26-39

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REFLECTION

By Kim Starr

The Christians in the book of Hebrews were primarily Jewish converts to Christianity who were facing persecution and were tempted to abandon their faith. They were familiar with the Old Testament scriptures, the Law of Moses, and the Jewish sacrificial system, but they were struggling to understand how Christianity fit within their Jewish heritage. They were suffering and were tempted to abandon their Christian faith to escape persecution, including verbal abuse, imprisonment, and dispossession of their property. The author of Hebrews wrote the letter to encourage these new Christians to persevere, stay faithful to Jesus, and remind them of the promises of glory and the benefits of staying faithful to Jesus. 

It is because of their struggling and suffering that the writer brought up apostasy which means a total desertion of, or departure from, one’s faith principles. It is a turning away from God; a rejection of core doctrine; and a separation from the people of God. It is a deliberate and persistent rejection of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice after knowing the truth of the gospel.

The first part of the Hebrews passage for today gives a stern warning against willful apostasy. It cautions against willful sin, a rejection of Christ; and fearful judgment. The sin described is a deliberate, hardened turning away from Christ after having experienced salvation through Jesus including forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. The rejection of Christ is characterized as having a severe disdain and disrespect for Jesus; profaning the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ; and despising the Holy Spirit’s work in applying grace and holiness. For those who commit such willful sin, there is a fearful expectation of judgment and fire that will consume them. The writer doesn’t want these new Christians to fall into this trap and renounce all that they have learned.

So, in the second part of the passage, he gives encouragement. He tells believers to remember their previous steadfastness and endurance, even in the face of suffering. He reminds believers to maintain their confidence and boldness in God’s presence. He emphasizes that believers need endurance to receive what God has promised. He compels believers to be free from sin or guilt and to live by faith.

The passage concludes with an encouragement to maintain an unwavering commitment to Christ, to remain steadfast in the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and to persevere in faith. Those who do are destined for salvation and will receive God’s promised reward.

PRAYER

Say a prayer today for all believers in Christ, new and old, that they may persevere in faith and remain steadfast in the assurances of God’s promises for salvation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KIM STARR

I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.