Our hope, a confident expectation of what God has promised, is a reasonable one. That means there is not one soul alive in the universe that needs to live life thinking all is lost, as long as the work of God in Christ still stands.
Among the myriad reasons we can have unwavering assurance is God’s character, which is the foremost of them all. In him, we overflow with hope (Romans 15:13) because God is faithful, and his faithfulness is the believer’s cause for hope. The most powerful demonstration of God’s faithfulness is the offering of his Son to die for our sins. If it were not for Christ, we would have perished. Many people, even believers, live under the weight of hopelessness due to many things. But we don’t have to live that way. Even the sinner can receive this hope. It is achievable to all who would believe.
In Hebrews 10, we are presented with a concise picture of what God has done for us in Christ, making hope not only real but also overflowing.
Christ’s Sacrifice – Hebrews 10:1-10
God has provided an eternal and satisfactory sacrifice in Jesus Christ. All the Old Testament sacrifices—goats, oxen, sheep, bulls—were just a shadow of the good things to come, the promise of a new covenant and eternal life. They could never redeem us completely.
Priests had to offer sacrifices daily and yearly because those offerings couldn’t truly satisfy God’s wrath. The blood of bulls and goats could never wipe away man’s sin. Jesus stepped in and declared that he had come to do the will of the Father, offering the perfect sacrifice once and for all. Previously, God expressed his dissatisfaction with animal sacrifices: “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? … I have had enough … I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or lambs, or goats” (Isaiah 1:11). And so, God did away with the old covenant and established a better way through Christ—a covenant that eternally meets our deepest needs. Under the Law, we couldn’t live up to God’s standard. But in Christ, even the vilest offender can find hope!
The foundation of our hope is the finished work of Christ on the cross. This hope is not about things going our way, and neither is it rooted in our positive mindset. It is a deep, abiding hope, achievable because God has given us his Son—the perfect sacrifice. This assurance brings a sense of security and peace, knowing that our hope is not in vain.
Christ’s Forgiveness – Hebrews 10:11-18
Through the sacrifice of Christ, God makes eternal hope achievable by providing complete forgiveness and restoration. Unlike Levitical priests, whose sacrifices were repetitive and temporary, Christ’s offering was once and for all. It perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Consequently, Jesus can save those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them. There is nothing in your past, present, or future that Christ’s sacrifice didn’t deal with. No sin is untouched.
There’s no need for extra rituals or powerful prayers to break generational curses—Jesus already did it. He remembers our sins and lawless deeds no more. “And you, who were dead … God made alive … having forgiven us all our trespasses … this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed rulers and authorities and put them to open shame” (Colossians 2:13-15).
Where there is true forgiveness, there is no longer any need for another sacrifice. It is finished and sealed. Hope is achievable because forgiveness is a done deal. Whether you’re a sinner seeking salvation or a saint in need of assurance, this is your hope!
Christ’s Offer – Hebrews 10:19-25
With all these joys, we now have the confidence to approach the Father by the blood of Christ. Under the old covenant, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies—and only once a year.
But Christ tore that veil, opening the way for all of us. His invitation is simple.
“Come, everyone who thirsts … come, buy wine and milk without money and price” (Revelation 21:6)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” (John 4:12-14)
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (John 6:35)
Christ’s offer is accessible to all, and it calls us to draw near, hold fast to our confession, stir love and good works, and remain in fellowship. Hope is achievable not through formulas but because the Author of hope has faithfully extended it to us, welcoming us all.
Christ’s Caution – Hebrews 10:26-31
Every good gift carries a responsibility. Yes, the joys of heaven are vast. But the responsibility is also great. If we continue sinning deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains—only judgment. There is no Season 2 of Jesus’ crucifixion. The cross was once and for all (Romans 6:9). Those who treat the Son’s sacrifice with contempt can expect nothing but judgment and torment. The servant who knows the master’s will but does not act accordingly will receive a severe beating (Luke 12:47).
The warning is clear: if disobedience to Moses brought death (Deuteronomy 34:5-8), how much more for those who disregard Christ? God is faithful—to forgive (1 John 1:9), yes—but also to judge (Acts 17:31). Those who’ve received this eternal hope must walk in a manner worthy of it; the One who called us is faithful in every way (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Christ’s Assurance – Hebrews 10:32-39
The final word is one of encouragement, “I will surely come and will not delay.” Even though we should suffer, face reproach, or endure afflictions, we ought not to give up because our confidence has a great reward. Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3-5).
“Be steadfast, immovable … knowing your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
“Do not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Keep living by faith. Don’t shrink back. God takes pleasure in you and he will reward you. And at the end of it all, Christ shall receive you in glory. Such reminders give the believer hope that all is not lost and that something is still possible. Although things will be difficult for a little while here, Jesus is working something better for them. As hard as it may seem, we all need to keep doing the thing that the Lord is calling us to do.
What is your greatest fear in the life of faith? If it is the uncertainty of things now, press on. Hope is only attainable for those of us in Christ because we know where we’re headed (John 14:1-3). Those who shrink back have nothing to look forward to. But those who live by faith—the true believers—will preserve their souls. You don’t need to be left out. Not if you’re living in rebellion and sin. Not if you’re walking in defeat and compromise. Hope is achievable—because God is faithful.