Philip asked us last week if we had made any new
year resolutions, I must admit, I hadn't, I don't ever consider doing so. But
Philip asked us to think about having a commitment to doing certain things this
year. To resolve to do things that are set out for us in God’s Word, and he
shared with us from Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, brethren,
having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of
Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over
the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled 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. And
let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much
the more as you see the Day approaching.
Be bold, be confident in seeking and coming before God.
There is nothing to stop us now, we don't have to shrink back, we are told we
can come before God boldly, having confidence through Jesus that we will not be
turned away.
Draw near, worship God with a true heart, this is a natural
thing for a born-again person to do. We have assurance of our salvation through
Jesus, who took the punishment for our sins, He is our High Priest, (we need no
other priest), He is our Advocate before the Father, (we need no man as a go
between).
Hold fast, to our hope, He who has saved us is faithful
and just, we need not waver, we need not doubt, because it is all in Him, we
are not saved by our own merit, we are not saved by what we have accomplished,
we are not saved because we are worthy. We are saved because of what Jesus has
accomplished because He alone was worthy to be a sacrifice for our sins.
Consider one another, resolve to put others first, don't think more
highly of yourself but in humility and compassion, help one another, consider
one another's needs, and do all the good you can, to all the brethren you can,
whenever you can.
Assemble with other
believers, there is no such thing as a lone
ranger Christian, you cannot live the Christian life and neglect being with
other Christian for prayer, worship, and the study of God's Word. A piece of
coal that falls from the fire soon goes cold, but put it back on the fire and
it soon begins to glow again. Some people can't meet with other Christians,
such as those who are persecuted, some are extremely sick, but we who can,
should not neglect this privilege, and we should remember in prayer those who
can't.
So, this year Christian brother or
sister, resolve to know God more, draw near to Him, be bold in coming before
Him, hold fast in your hope, consider one another, and keep in fellowship with
one another. Remember we don't know when the Lord is coming, but we do know for
certain that He is.