Hebrews 10:24-31: a reflection

24Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. 28A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The writer of Hebrews gives a stirring call about how believers are to help one another: 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 approaching. We are not meant to go it alone; we are to gather, and to spur one another on toward love and good works, encouraging each other as the day of Christ draws near.

Notice the purpose of Christian gathering as the writer describes it: to stir up one another to love and good works, and to encourage one another. Meeting together is not merely a duty or a habit; it is a means by which believers provoke and encourage one another toward love, good works, and perseverance. We need one another; left alone, we grow cold and discouraged, but together, we stir and strengthen each other to keep going, especially as the Day approaches.

That gives real weight to gathering with God's people, which we can be tempted to neglect. It is easy to treat Christian fellowship as optional, to drift away from meeting with other believers; but the writer warns against this habit of some, and calls us to gather, precisely because we need one another to stir up love and good works and to keep from growing cold. Do not neglect meeting together with God's people, as though you could thrive alone. Gather, and use that gathering as the writer intends: to encourage one another, to provoke one another to love and good works, to strengthen each other to persevere as the Day draws near. We are meant to spur one another on; do not forsake the gathering that helps us do it, but come, and stir up others, and be stirred, toward love and good works.

Lord, the writer of Hebrews calls me to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another, all the more as the Day approaches. Give real weight in my life to gathering with your people, which I can be tempted to neglect. Meeting together is not merely a duty or a habit; it is a means by which believers provoke and encourage one another toward love, good works, and perseverance. I need others; left alone, I grow cold and discouraged, but together, we stir and strengthen each other to keep going. It is easy for me to treat Christian fellowship as optional, to drift away from meeting with other believers; but you warn against this, and call me to gather, because I need others to stir up love and good works and to keep from growing cold. Keep me from neglecting to meet together with your people, as though I could thrive alone. Help me gather, and use that gathering to encourage others, to provoke them to love and good works, and to be stirred myself. Help me not forsake the gathering, but come, and spur others on, and be spurred, toward love and good works.