19-21 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh - and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

24-25 And 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 drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-25 English Standard Version

In the past few chapters the writer explained to the readers how Jesus Christ is the only priest they would ever need. He lived a blameless life, and then He gave His life as a perfect once for ever sacrifice so that the sins of all God's people under the old covenant and the new one, are completely forgiven. Their debt has been paid in full. God has said 'I will remember their sins no more'. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) So in vs 19-21 he reminds them of the confidence Christians should have to enter the presence of God, even though He is so awesome and holy. He then urges them to do three things, starting each time with the words 'let us'. What is the first one? (vs 22)

Because the door was now open to such fellowship with God, Christians should take every opportunity to spend time with Him. To 'draw near to' someone is the opposite of 'to drift away' from them. A Christian will want to bring God praise, as well as to learn more how they can live in a way that is good in His sight. They will desire God's company more than the things people rush after. And because their sins have been washed away, they need not hold back because of guilt and shame. The pure water he speaks of could well be a reference to their baptism. But it was the blood Jesus shed that is their true cleansing. What is the next 'let us'? (vs 23)

They were not to let any trials they were going through cause them to have second thoughts about the step they took to trust Jesus for forgiveness of sins, and to call upon Him as Lord. He would faithfully keep His promise of eternal life to them. But they also needed to remain faithful to Him. What is the third 'let us' which will help believers to draw near and not waver? (vs 24-25)

He urged them to make the most of the mutual benefit of when Christians meet together. They were to stir one another up. That's a giving and receiving process. We mustn't underestimate the help we can be to another believer through our words and deeds of encouragement. We may feel we are not the best equipped to help anyone, but even by just coming alongside a follower of Christ who may be feeling lonely, or who is ill, or who feels their faith is faltering, we can be someone God uses to strengthen them. What was happening among those people that led him to write the words of vs 24-25?

Some of them were beginning to find reasons, or make excuses, for not going to the meetings where their fellow believers gathered to praise God, and to help one another grow in the faith. It's very likely that their not going to meetings was because Christians were being sidelined in the community. Most of those reading these posts probably live in places where 'going to Church' is not a danger. But would we make the effort to meet with Christians if some real threat were involved?

We live in sad times when many Churches have drifted far from God's word and we may be reluctant to join with them. But we should make every effort to try and find fellow believers who ARE faithfully following Christ so we can meet with them for the reasons the writer has given. He says that we need stirring up and encouragement as the day of Christ's return gets ever closer. Is drawing near to God and fellowship with His people important in our life? Let us make it so.