Tragically, we find ourselves in an age in which our culture is intent on calling “evil good and good evil…putting darkness for light and light for darkness…putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Is. 5:20). We find ourselves in a time in which Christian values are ridiculed as intolerant and oppressive and thus are oppressed and not tolerated. In a time such as this, how should the church respond? This morning we shall learn that we must not lose hope, we must stir up one another, and we must be the church.
Hebrews 10:23-25 says:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.
We read this command: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” First, notice that we are called to hold fast. This means we are to be intentional about maintaining and holding onto something. We are to never let go (or better yet never let it let go of us!).
What exactly are we to hold fast to? We hold fast “the confession of our hope” and we are also told to do so “without wavering”. Our hope is not found in a friendly society nor is it found in any external circumstances, but rather it is found in our confession. What is our confession? We confess the “gospel of Christ” (1 Cor 9:13). Our confession is that “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:11). As the old hymn says:
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness.
One other note about this verse, while Christians must be active in our political process, we are not called to stir up and provoke non-believers but stir up one another. This stirring up, you should know, has been the beginning of many revivals throughout the ages.
Hold on to the ONE who matters and anchor yourself to His Word. In Jesus’s name, AMEN.
GOD BLESS YOU.