Hebrews 6:9-12
In the first verses of chapter 6, the author of the book of Hebrews gives a warning in a rather severe and stern passage to this group of people with a warning about falling away from the Christian faith. However, this next section is given to us as encouragement and is filled with wonderful promises.
The writer shows his love towards them and for the first time in the book calls them beloved.
It is interesting to note that the writer’s same heart of love gives both the warning and the encouragement in this chapter. The wonderful thing about the book of Hebrews is the wonderful balance found between truth and grace. In these four verses, the writer gives us two truths.
Verse 9 and 10 say, “But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.”
The writer is convinced that this church is not going to turn away from Christ and in his mind these are saved people. I am a pastor myself, and I have people ask me from time to time if I believe that they are saved. I am always afraid to answer, since I don’t want people to have assurance from what I am going to say. But, the writer makes a bold statement that says he is very sure that they are genuine believers and are not going to turn away from Christ.
He validates his thoughts because he has looked at their lives and he sees that they are serving each other.
They were producing fruit by being servants, and since it says “still ministering” it is a labor to them that is ongoing and constant. It strikes me as beautiful to see that the motive behind this service is love and concern for God’s name. The fruit of the spirit is love. This verse describes true love as living for the good of the other. Is it the same for your daily walk with God?
These Christians might have been spiritually immature and they had thoughts about going back to Judaism, but their lives had produced enough fruit to bring the writer to the conclusion that they were Christians. However, they had not progressed enough in their faith for him to give up warning them.
Which brings us to verses 11 and 12, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. So that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Everyone in that church needed to show the same spiritual progress, without letting up and eventually you reach the point where everyone’s doubts are removed. He says, you have a certain hope in Christ and it is securely established. He is asking each of us…do we have a hunger for learning the Bible? Do we have a fire for fellowship and serving other Christians? Do you give your heart to the prayer life of the church? If so, all doubts about your security in Christ are erased.
Conclusion
Finally, in verse 12 we are told to not be lazy in your Christian walk. The truth is, the Christian life is difficult. Church is difficult. Time of prayer and meditation can be difficult for some. Loving fellow church members, sometimes, can be hard and difficult work. But, this verse tells us to follow those people in the church whose faith is obvious. This requires the faith and patience of Abraham or other saints found in the Bible.
To go back to Judaism is to be lost, but these are genuine believers. But, there is a way to have all doubts removed and this would happen if they looked the Godly men and women of years ago.
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