What Faith Looks Like Series

Introduction: Last week we looked at why a life of faith is possible. It is because of who Jesus is and what He has done for us in bringing us to God. Now today we want to take a look at what a life of faith looks like. In our text, Hebrews 10:19-25, we find 3 areas of a life of faith that are visible in all our lives if we are following Jesus. We are going to focus on 22-25 this morning.

Let’s read Hebrews 10:19-25.

In this passage we see 3 verses that essentially begin with “Let us.” I want to focus on the words that follow these 2 simple words. The writer says,

1. Let us draw near…

2. Let us hold fast…

3. Let us be concerned…

I believe these 3 statements give us a good picture of what living by faith looks like in very practical ways. As we look at these today, ask yourself how you are doing in these areas. If you and I are going to live by faith - continue to experience revival in our hearts and connection with God these things need to be in our lives. In fact look at what Peter says 2 Peter 1:3-11 as he relates to this idea of continuing in Christ. Look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6.

You and I must test ourselves to evaluate whether or not we are walking by faith. How can you tell? Well according to the Corinthian passage, you should be able to see Jesus in yourself! A way we can check ourselves is by using the verses from Hebrews. In these 3 verses we find 3 simple and visible ways we can evaluate our lives. We must be honest with ourselves and with God as we evaluate our lives. Will we do these things perfectly? No we won’t. But we had better be known or characterized by them. If others don’t see these in us – there is something wrong and we need to surrender our lives to Jesus – consecrate ourselves to His Lordship.

Now, before we look specifically at the words that follow the let us statements, I want to share something with you that’s important. The words “Let us” are not actually in the original text. They are words that are used to describe the ending and mood of the word in Greek. Greek does not have pronouns per say. The ending of a verb shows how to interpret the word. Like – ballo = I throw; ballomen = we throw…

Why is this important? Because the word not only tells who is doing the action but also whether the action is demanded or suggested. In Greek there is a tense, voice and a mood beyond the ending that shows who is doing the action. In each of these words the tense, voice and mood are the same! The tense is present which means what is said is simple fact. The voice is active which shows that the subject of the verb is the doer or performer of the action. The mood is subjective. This means that the action being done is a possibility or a potentiality. In other words, the action may or may not be done based on circumstances.

What the writer of Hebrews is telling us is that we are responsible for these 3 areas. He says “let us” as a way of encouragement. In other words if you want to live godly, faithful lives you need to do these things but it is up to you! This is critical because you and I need to ask ourselves how badly we want to follow Jesus. We are demanded to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It is a must. Now we are shown how we can take up our cross and follow Jesus. When we do these 3 things the ability to follow the commands of God is greatly increased. The opposite is also true. When we do not do our part living by the commands of God is incredibly difficult. So the writer of Hebrews basically tells us- hey, do you want to be successful in following Jesus? Then do these 3 things. If you do you will be able to walk closely with God.

So let’s look at these 3 “Let Us” statements.

I. Let us Draw near

We are to draw near to God. This is an expression of personal devotion to God and with God. In this verse we see 4 conditions in which we must draw near to Him.

A. A true heart – sincere – Matt 15:19 and Luke 6:45

16 “Are even you still lacking in understanding?” He asked. 17 “Don’t you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. 20 These are the things that defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Matt 15:16-20 (HCSB)