Responsibility and relationship Going beyond Fear based Faith A reading from Hebrews 10:26 31 on the Daily Bible refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lesson selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the Message version Relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

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Here's today's reading from Hebrews 10:26 31 reading from the Message if we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned and all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the judgment.

And a mighty fierce judgment it will be if the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death.

What do you think will happen if you turn on God's son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult the most gracious spirit?

This is no light matter.

God has warned us that he'll hold us into account and make us pay.

He was quite explicit.

Vengeance is mine and I won't overlook a thing.

And God will judge his people.

Nobody's getting by with anything, believe me.

Well, in today's reflection we're wrestling with a kind of a difficult text that, if it's read on the surface superficially, it might seem to promote fear based religion.

However, let's go to some deeper truths here about accountability and collective responsibility.

So let's dive into our points to ponder.

The first point is about going beyond retribution in theology.

While this passage uses strong language about judgment, progressive theology invites us to look deeper.

The judgment being discussed isn't about divine violence, but about natural consequences of betraying community and and justice.

When we abandon our commitment to love and justice, we create our own separation from God's divine flow of love.

Another point is about collective responsibility.

The reference to turning our backs on all we've learned speaks to the serious responsibility that comes with awareness Once we understand systematic injustice, climate crisis or oppression, we cannot claim ignorance.

This isn't about individual salvation, but about our collective obligation to work for healing and justice.

One more point.

It's about a spirit of grace.

The text here mentions insulting the most gracious spirit.

This suggests that the real issue isn't divine punishment, but our rejection of the grace that connects and sustains us all.

When we choose a self interest over a solidarity, we damage the web of relationships that makes community possible.

Here's our action step.

Examine what might be a turning your back on truth moment that you've learned about justice issues and choose an area where you become aware of injustice but haven't taken action, maybe turned your back and make a specific commitment to turn that around to engage, whether through education, advocacy or direct support, of people who are impacted by injustice and maybe document how this goes and how it affects your understanding of the situation at hand.

We'll come back and have a closing prayer here in just a moment.

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Let's pray.

Oh God, you're a source of truth and grace.

We confess our tendency to look away when knowledge demands action, when awareness requires change.

Help us understand that your judgment is not about fear but about healing.

Not about punishment, but about restoration.

Give us courage to face hard truths, wisdom to understand their implications, and strength to act on what we know.

May we choose connection over comfort, community over convenience, and love over fear.

In trust and commitment we pray.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.