Draw Near with a Sincere Heart

The next resolution in our New Year resolutions from the Book of Hebrews would be to Draw Near with a Sincere Heart. 

Have you ever heard people say that since others are so sincere in their beliefs that they–and their beliefs–deserve our full acceptance? Nonsense. Sincerity is good, but it’s not “an end in itself.” The sincerity can be good or sincerely deluded. 

It’s the object of our sincerity that carries the truth value,
not the simple measure of how sincere we are.

Look at this passage and see what a Christian’s sincerity is rooted in:

Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” 18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…

Our sincerity is rooted in the work of Christ –a finished work which paved the path to God.  It was Jesus’ sacrificial and priestly work alone.  His is the new and living way.  That’s why our sincerity matters.

Questions for thought:

Maybe you’ve heard people say, “What can I do to earn salvation?” The answer, of course, is NOTHING–nothing to earn it. Do you have confidence that you have been forgiven? What is your confidence grounded in?

How can you display the sincerity of your faith in Christ?

What difference does it make that Jesus is the great priest over the house of God?