SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. [Hebrews 10:35-36]
The writer of Hebrews is encouraging Jesus followers to persevere in their confidence, no matter what happens, because God has secured their eternal inheritance.
Because God has opened the way for us back to Him through Jesus, because God is for us and not against us, because Jesus has guaranteed once and for all our bond with God…
Therefore stand firm, encourage one another, and persevere in what is right and good, no matter what happens.
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. [Matthew 24:12-13]
Why is it that following Jesus puts people at risk of persecution?
His message is love, peace, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, generosity, why then so much violence?
Granted, sometimes its because christians have NOT reflected Jesus like this, because they have been cruel and unforgiving and selfish.
But that does not explain why Jesus suffered, or the many martyrs of the first centuries, or humble believers throughout the ages.
I feel that it is because Jesus and His message touch a spiritual nerve, provoking a spiritual poison in human nature that becomes inflamed when confronted with love, mercy and grace.
The repeated message of the bible is – stand firm, wait for the Lord, persevere in faith, hope and love, and you will receive what is promised.
As part of this, keep on meeting together to encourage one another, lean on each other for support.
Do not allow your love to grow cold, do not succumb to the pressures of compromise.
This will only remove you from the comfort and assurance of God’s love and protection.
Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded!
I sense the Lord urging me not to give up, very timely when I am feeling tired and defeated.
I sense Him encouraging me to hang in there, to persevere in faith, hope and love, and to trust that He Who opened the way for me back to Him, will also use me to draw others to Him.
Because of what God has done, what Jesus has accomplished, and what the Spirit is still doing…
Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:58]
PRAYER:
Lord, once again Your message to me is very timely. Thank You for this reminder, and please energize me by Your Spirit to persevere, to stand firm, to give myself fully to You and Your work!