Holy Spirit, You inspired the writer of Hebrews to write:
Hebrews 10:19-25 (The Message)—
“So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into ‘the Holy Place.’ Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The ‘curtain’ into God’s presence is his body. So, let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”
Even in the time of this Hebrew writer, people did not fully understand the importance of meeting as the “church.” It is never about the building or the programming; it is about setting aside time each week to worship, praise, sing, encourage one another, and hear inspiration from our pastor that renews our minds for the week ahead. We should be thankful and grateful that we still have the right to meet and build each other up, even when so much of the world seeks to dissolve us, destroy us, slander us, and stop us at all costs. Now, more than ever, we need to be a house of prayer—a sanctuary for the broken, the lost, the defeated, and the hurting, a stronghold that defends and promotes love, truth, and God’s principles. We are called to live as living sacrifices, demonstrating God’s way and will to a world that so desperately needs light, forgiveness, meekness, love, and above all, salvation and grace. We need to be ambassadors, soldiers, neighbors, coaches, and, most of all, Christ-like to a world that has openly embraced sin.
But, beloved, remember the words that were previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
“They said to you, ‘In the last days there will be scoffers who will walk after their own ungodly desires.’ These are the men who cause divisions, sensual, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life. On some, have compassion, using discernment. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with rejoicing, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Jude 17-24 (MEV)