Confidence

Hebrews 10 is a discussion of Jesus' high priestly offering of his own blood. Since

it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins

[3] the old sacrificial system leaves us feeling guilty. This applies to things we did as children to earn forgiveness, and all religious ceremonies or sacraments. Performing them may be our duty, they may be a Good Thing, they may be inescapable. But they "can never take away sins." [11] But through the body and blood of Jesus, "we have been made holy once for all". [10]

What does this mean to me? It means nothing unless I believe. If I believe, it means I have a high priest who is interceding for me in heaven before the Father, to forgive my sins and rid me of them, to cleanse me. Paul goes on in vv.19-25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What this means is: I have every reason to be confident, not waffle and worry and retreat. I have spent long enough looking at myself, thinking I have nothing to offer God, since apart from Him I can surely do nothing. But I am not "apart from him", I am "in Him". I am his child. I am the one whose blood has cleansed. And whatever my weakness, his strength is sufficient, his sacrifice is completed. By this, as Mary said, God "scatters those who are proud in their inmost thoughts", typically by raising up the weak and useless people to do God's work, passing over said proud (and usually more able) people.

So I must hold unswervingly to the hope I profess. This is not what I have been doing heretofore. I have been engaged in goal down-sizing for the last 46 years, it seems. Lately I seem to just want to do very little at all in the way of glorifying God and saving souls. Watching The Guardian last night helped a little, to have a desire to save souls. I must be like a guardian at UVa, watching for those who are drowning and lending them my hand, and not letting go.

And I must not give up meeting together. Often meetings seem to be a burden. But they are important for others, and for me, for mutual encouragement. No matter how independent I may be, it is not glorifying to God for me to ignore my brothers and sisters in Christ. I AM their keeper, and so must be watching out for them, praying for them, writing them and meeting them.

With THIS confidence, I must also draw near to God, in full assurance of faith. It is not usual for me to be confident. I often defer to others' judgment or decision. But in coming to God, in prayer, at least before Him, I can come without fear, making my petitions known and casting my cares on Him. Confidence is truly needed in the life-saving business, as was nicely portrayed by Kevin Costner in The Guardian. But in saving souls, it is a confidence of a different nature. I must know that what I am teaching them is true, and believe it applies equally to them as to all, and at the same time, though I don't know these people very well, I must give them God's word and help very personally. I know I lack such confidence in my flesh.

Lord, thank you for the blood of Jesus. Encourage me, Lord, in his blood, to watch over and serve your people today with confidence, looking for them and saving them. Help me to hold unswervingly to your promises and faith. IJNA