Memory Verse Day 26: Are You Pulling and Pushing?

Once again, this command comes after a whole lot of Gospel.  The book of Hebrews draws us to Christ by showing Him in the Old Testament alongside His coming in the flesh.

The author has just said:

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, 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.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
(Hebrews 10:19-23)

This is a summary rich with symbolism that has been explained throughout the book.

Now, as believers, let’s consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

The word here for "stir up" has also been translated stimulate or provoke or spur on.  It’s a positive push, you might say.

As opposed to what we often focus on – pulling.  Trying to give people some freedom, but intervening when we see sin, and trying to pull them back.

And turning someone from sin is a wonderful thing to do!  See James 5:19-20 on that topic.

But if that’s all we’re doing, there’s a problem.  There are so many passages that talk about the positive things – the spurring on.  Encouraging, helping, building people up.  We should be thinking about how to do things like that to our fellow believers.  Not just correcting them if they get out of line.