“Let us” occurs thirteen times in the book of Hebrews and each time it comes with encouragement. On the other hand “lest” occurs seven times in the book and every time with a warning. “Let us” carries the connotation of letting the Holy Spirit work in our lives and “lest” the implication of not hindering the work of the Holy Spirit.
Lettuce Lifestyle (Hebrews 4) our danger, our duty, our doctrine, and our approach ~ “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear [our danger] lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (4:1-2). “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest [our duty], lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [our doctrine]. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly [our approach] to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:11-16).
Lettuce Growth (Hebrews 6) our maturity ~ “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection [our maturity], not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits” (6:1-3).
Lettuce Salvation (Hebrews 10) our salvation, our assurance, our fellowship ~ “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water [our salvation]. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful [our assurance]. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching [our fellowship]” (10:22-24).
Lettuce Work (Hebrews 12) ~ our responsibility, our task, our method ~ “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us [our responsibility], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us [our task], looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:1-2). “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace [our method], by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (12:28).
Lettuce Association (Hebrews 13) our identification, our response ~ “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach [our identification]. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name [our response]. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (13:12-16).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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