putting the spurs to you!

Hebrews 10:19-25

This paragraph is a "since, then" construction. There is a lot of theological information in this paragraph but it is basically a summary of the author's arguments up to this point from which a conclusion is drawn. The author uses the word "therefore" to connect the practical application to the previous arguments. The subject is: what should we do since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy place and a great high priest over the house of God? The complement: We should draw near to God with a sincere heart, hold unswervingly to the hope we profess and spur each other on to love and good deeds.
I think it is significant that one of the ways that we can spur each other on to love and good deeds is to meet together. At least one of the purposes of meeting together is for mutual encouragement. The author speaks directly against those who are giving up this habit and appeals to the imminent return of Christ as a reason to continue. However, just getting together is not what the author has in mind. For there to be actual encouragement and "spurring" taking place, we must be willing to be vulnerable and honest with those we meet together with (wow! bad grammar!). There must be those with whom we can be completely open and vulnerable and who will call us on our masks and b.s. I've never been spurred but they don't look very comfortable for the horse. I think that if I have the kind of community that the author is referring to here, it won't be comfortable at times but it will be good!
I think this passage is very appropriate for the time of year. I love the sentimentality of Christmas but it is so much more than a sentiment or "Christmas spirit." This passage reminds me what Christmas is about: God became flesh so he could bleed and by his blood a way has been open for me to draw near to God and to have an everlasting hope.

Harvest

Romans 1:8-13

Observe:
Paul starts out in a pretty typical manner: speaking a blessing of grace to them (v. 7), then praising the Christians in Rome - specifically because their faith has been reported all over the world - and finally assuring them of his constant prayer - specifically that Paul would be able to visit them. Paul must have had a very active prayer life as evidenced by all the prayers that he offers on behalf of all the people he writes letters to.
It seems like the Roman Christians may have been wondering if Paul was neglecting them but Paul assures them that is not the case - he prays for them constantly (as God is his witness) and he has tried many times to visit but was prevented by God (through circumstances) from doing so. Finally, Paul seems very confident that when he visits Rome, God will cause many people to come to faith through Paul's work.
I notice that Paul is very careful to connect God and Christ right from the beginning of the chapter (v. 1, 7, 8, 9). Sometimes the connection is almost awkward (like in v 8 and 9). I wonder why he does this?

Interpret:
This is a pretty typical opening for Paul's letters. The main argument or message of this section is that Paul is encouraged by the faith of the Romans - their faith has been reported all over the world which may indicate that the Roman Christians were facing persecution but standing strong in the face of it - and he longs to come and visit them.

Apply:
I need to be better at praying for the people God has placed in my life and ministry. I need to be better at encouraging them and challenging them in specific areas. I am inspired by Paul's deep, personal and specific concern for the people he knew. He always has a different prayer and a specific word of encouragement for each church.