Fearing God For Enduring Suffering
Hebrews 10:31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Story: Hebrews often requires you to read the context to understand what is happening in a verse. While verse 31 is totally true by itself, context will answer key questions like 1) who is falling into the hands of the living God? 2) what will happen? And 3) why is this happening?
So, who is falling into the hands of the living God? Those who continue to sin deliberately (v. 26), who spurn or reject the Son of God (v. 29), and have outraged the Spirit of grace (v. 29).
What will happen? A fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire (v. 27). This is not temporary judgment, like some unfortunate circumstances, but eternal judgment. Which makes sense, because to reject Jesus Christ is to reject the only way to heaven.
Why is this happening? A temptation is coming to reject Christ and so escape persecution. But the author recalls their earlier persecution and affliction, and how they had compassion (v. 32-34). So now is not the time to quit Jesus, but to endure (v. 36). Earthly afflictions and persecutions are painful and difficult, but light in comparison to falling into the hands of the living God for eternal judgment.
My Prayer Response: Father, how great is our salvation in Christ! Give us grace to hold fast to Him, enduring through any sufferings that come. You never promised us comfort and easy, so let us be willing to let those go. Fix our eyes on Jesus and rejoice that we have salvation. Send us out to others who need to trust in Jesus and escape eternal judgment.
May the fear of God’s judgment make you draw near to Christ!