On 24 March 2022, the Government of Singapore announced an easing of COVID-19 rules, including allowing mask-on congregational singing. This comes almost 2 years after the circuit breaker was announced, and more than a year since “Phase 3”, where the Jurong Church of Christ last physically gathered together for worship.
Many of us look forward to gathering back again for physical worship (or perhaps you are even reading this while seated in the pews) and are looking forward to having a semblance of pre-COVID normalcy on Sunday. As such, I thought it would be fitting, since it has been some time since we last gathered physically for worship, to be reminded of the mindset we ought to have in approaching worship to God, as mentioned in Heb 10:22-24. In this article, I will be breaking down each of the three “let us” commands and see how each command relates to us internally, externally, and relationally for worshiping God.
[1] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Heb 10:22)
This command describes the internal motivation that we must have when we approach the throne of God in our worship. The Hebrew writer exhorts us to draw near to God “with a true heart in full assurance of faith”.
A true heart is one that is truthful, as is the translation of the Greek root word alēthinos. This is a heart that tells us the truth, as opposed to a heart that is deceptive, and tells us falsehoods (1 Jn 1:8). A truthful heart diagnoses us of our true intentions and points out areas in our life that we have fallen short of (1 Jn 3:20-21), and enables us to seek mercy and forgiveness from God (1 Jn 1:9).
Our hearts also need to be “in full assurance of faith”. It is interesting the “assurance” comes from the Greek root word plērophoria, which is a compound word consisting of pleres (which means to completely fill up) and phoreo (to bear constantly). This tells us that our hearts have to be fully filled with abundance of faith. Our hearts full of faith in God and the sacrifice of Jesus enables us to be bold as we approach the throne of God, knowing that Jesus has paid the full price for us on the cross, such that we now have access to the spiritual riches of God (Eph 1:7).
We ought to also have our hearts “sprinkled” from an evil conscience. Just as how disinfectant spays are used to kill bacteria and viruses, we need to get rid of an evil conscience that runs against a “true heart”. Trying to maintain an evil conscience and a true heart will result in us being double-minded in our ways, and being unstable in all that we do (Jas 1:8).
[2] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (Heb 10:23)
The writer of the book of Hebrews also admonishes us to “hold fast to the profession of our faith”. This verse describes how our faith should be manifested outwardly and externally to others. As faithful followers of God, we have to practice an active faith that is proven by works (Jas 2:26).
Our faith also needs to be professed in an unwavering manner. It is expected that Christians face setbacks in our lives, even more so over the last two years. Nevertheless, our faith needs to be strong and resilient enough to withstand the trials that we may face. In 1 Pet 1:7, our faith is compared to gold – apostle Peter tells us that our faith is much more precious than gold which perisheth. Gold, one of the most rare and precious metals on earth, is valued for its many properties, one of which is that it does not rust or corrode. Yet, in comparison to the resilient faith that a Christian should have, apostle Peter describes gold as something which perishes.
The underlying reason for our unwavering and resilient faith is due to trusting in God’s faithfulness in His promises. We have full confidence and assurance that God is willing and able to deliver whatever he has promised to us. We know from the scriptures that God’s nature is unchanging – God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Ps 102:27).
[3] Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works (Heb 10:24)
Finally, we are commanded to consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. This is a relational command to Christians, in describing the relationship that Christians ought to have with one another. We are commanded to first consider one another, and then to provoke one another to love and to good works.
When we are usually considering something, it means we are giving it some thought, akin to telling someone to “let me think about it”. However, the Greek root word describes something more in-depth, as the word means to observe or behold fully. As such, Christians have to fully consider the needs of fellow brethren when we gather together. This is the same mindset mentioned by Paul in Php 2:4, where we are told to “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others”.
Our consideration of our brethren must be done with the intention to provoke our brethren unto love and to good works, and not to serve any selfish or ill intentions that we may have to malign, gossip or backbite against our fellow brethren (Rom 1:29-30). We must be deliberate in ensuring that each exchange with our brethren inspires them to love, to do good works, to be encouraged and to be edified (1 Th 5:11).
In order to be an effective influence on our brethren, we are commanded not to forsake the assembling of ourselves (Heb 10:25). While it is certainly possible to keep in contact with the brethren using virtual means, nothing ever beats an enthusiastic morning greeting, a warm smile and a firm handshake (or fist bump!).
In summary, as we embrace being physically gathered together for worship once again, let us take advantage of every opportunity that is available for us to gather together. Internally, let us ensure our hearts are truth and convicted of faith in worshipping God. Let us ensure that our faith is one that is active and is professing through external actions, and finally, let us also fully consider the relational needs of our brethren, inspiring love and good works.