LIVING WITH CONFIDENCE

I. WHAT KIND OF CONFIDENCE DO WE HAVE AND WHY DO WE HAVE IT?

A. Hebrews 10:19–25 (ESV) — 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…

C. Hebrews 8:5 (ESV) — 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

D. Hebrews 10:1 (ESV) — 1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

F. Hebrews 3:6 (ESV) — 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

II. OUR RESPONSE

A. Hebrews 10:22–25 (ESV) —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.

C. 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.

E. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

G. 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.

Those who persevere in faith also persevere in love. Love is not merely a feeling or emotion. It manifests itself in “good works.” “Dead works” lead to spiritual death (6:10; 9:14), while good works testify to God’s grace among believers. Such good works are necessary for final salvation, expressing a living and vital faith. Such good works, of course, should not be confused with perfection. The foundation for their assurance is the blood of Christ, but good works constitute evidence that believers authentically trust in Christ.[1]

[1] Schreiner, T. R. (2021). Hebrews (T. D. Alexander, T. R. Schreiner, & A. J. Köstenberger, Eds.; p. 320). Lexham Press.