by Pastor Rich Carlson

I was reading Hebrews 10 this morning and I was struck by the confidence I can have as a Christian, and the resulting assertive Christian behavior I can display.

"We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place," says Paul. Wow, I don't have to enter the presence of God with fear and trepidation!

I used to like to watch the Wizard of Oz (Okay, I still like to watch it)! I'm sure it was because of the deep spiritual and theological lessons that I'm sure were the intent of the director and creator of the movie.

When Dorothy and her friends came into the presence of Oz, they were confronted with fire and smoke and power that almost drove them away. That was my picture of God too. But fortunately, the "theology" of Oz breaks down in the presence of the theology of Paul in Hebrews. I don't have to come, frightened, before God; I can come confidently! And the reason for that confidence is not anything in me. It's His blood!   

And "since we have a great priest (Jesus) over the house of God," I can, with confidence do five things, according to this passage in Hebrews:   

1.    I can draw near to God:           

with a sincere heart.           

with full assurance.            

cleansed on the inside.           

and cleansed on the outside.   

2.    I can hold unswervingly to hope, because He is faithful.   

3.    I can spur others on in two areas:           

love.           

good deeds.   

4.    I can enjoy meeting together with my fellow believers.   

5.    I can encourage others. 

Because of Jesus, I can do all these things with confidence. And so can you! 

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.