#50. We Are Commanded to Stimulate One Another Towards Love and Good Deeds in Fellowship

Hebrews 10:24 — and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

The writer to the Hebrews is encouraging his readers to respond appropriately to the staggering truth he has just been teaching them - that they have confidence by the blood of Jesus to enter the heavenly tabernacle by the new and living way that He opened up for us though the veil which was rent (a picture of His body).  There, he tells them, Jesus conducts His ministry as their great priest.

How should they respond (and us with them)? He tells us in three phrases that begin with "let us".

• First (verse 22), we are to make use of the way Jesus had opened by actually drawing near to God in the way prescribed;
• Second (verse 23), we are to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, because it is a hope that does not disappoint, promised by a God Who is faithful. The readers of this epistle had been tempted to revert to Judaism to escape persecution but in the light of the privileges they have in Christ (far greater than anything the Old Covenant had to offer), the writer exhorts them to stand fast;
• And lastly (verse 24), we are to think very carefully about how we may stimulate one another to love and good deeds (in order to do which we must not forsake gathering together, but must draw alongside and encourage each other to do this very thing, as we see the fulfillment of our hope drawing closer).

These love and good deeds are, of course, the fulfillment of the Law, done in fellowship and in the exercise of the gifts God sheds abroad in the church.  Expressed in fellowship, they will have at least two results:

• They will be the signature and seal of God on a local fellowship, and a testimony to all that the Gospel transforms sinners into saints who (in measure) fulfill the Law and will inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself said that the world will look on at the love believers have for each other, and will know that they are indeed the disciples of Christ.
• They will be a safeguard to believers against falling away in times of persecution and difficulty. They will help to secure souls in Christ when they are tempted to throw in the towel and deny Him.

The truths expounded by the writer should be a tremendous motivator for the children of God. First, that we may meet together for fellowship. Second, that we may express love and good deeds to our brothers and sisters and third, that we may think about how we might stimulate others in the church to express them also.  And we should do all this with an eye to being brighter witnesses to the Savior, in the light of our future hope of glory!