Verse of the Day for Tuesday, September 26, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Hebrews 10:30-31

For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

These verses come in a larger section of Hebrews that focuses on the new covenant established by Jesus Christ. The context is one of exhortation: The writer warns the readers against falling away from their faith and encourages them to persevere, as Christ has offered a perfect sacrifice for sins. However, the writer also stresses the serious consequences of rejecting God's grace. Here's a breakdown of these specific verses:

1. "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'": The writer quotes from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:35-36) to underscore the seriousness of God's judgment. The message here is twofold: First, it stresses that vengeance belongs solely to God. This implies that humans don't have the authority or the complete moral vision to enact perfect justice, only God does. Second, it reminds us that God's judgment applies not just to the world at large, but also to "his people." This serves as a caution to the community of believers against taking God's grace for granted or becoming complacent in their faith.

2. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.": This statement underscores the gravity of standing before a holy and living God, especially for those who have knowingly rejected His offer of grace through Jesus Christ. The word "fearful" here can be understood in multiple ways: as awe before God's majesty, as trepidation about His judgment, and as a sober recognition of His holiness and justice. The phrase "living God" adds another layer of seriousness, highlighting that God is not a distant, abstract concept but an active, conscious Being who interacts with His creation.

This verse serves as a powerful admonition but also a call to humility and a reminder to take the obligations and privileges of faith seriously. The "fear" of God is often the beginning of wisdom, serving as a corrective to human pride and self-reliance. It nudges the believer to continue in faithfulness, aware of both God’s immense love manifested through Jesus Christ and His holy righteousness that demands justice.

In summery, these verses serve both as a warning and as an encouragement to take one's faith seriously, to appreciate the gravity of God's justice, and to live in a manner worthy of the grace that has been extended through Jesus Christ.