Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is: Jeremiah 50, Hebrews 6
Happy Monday Everyone!
Scripture
Hebrews 6:9-12
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Observation
We are being watched. Unbelievers and believers alike are directed to look to God's beloved and see faith, patience and evidence of the work we do in Christ.
Application
As believers we are given some clear directives around the "work" we are expected to complete. No, we are not saved by our works, but evidence of our salvation is displayed in the work we do by loving God:
1. Helping his people
2. CONTINUING to help his people (this work is never done!)
3. Diligence - to the end of our life here on earth
4. Maintain and live faith and patience to claim the inheritance that was promised us.
These verses speak to the lasting requirement of discipline and steadfastness. Persevering in our faith through times in life where we can actually become lazy with our spiritual lives. This passages resonates the benefits of a life lived intentionally and continually striving to walk out our faith - even when it's hard to keep working at it. We have the eternal promise - let's claim it as ours each day as we fight our lazy human nature.
Prayer
God, you made us to be the way we are. You created us to have to SEEK out a relationship with you. You want us to want you. I pray that you will keep your Holy Spirit near and keep our hearts so in tune with it that as soon as we start to get lazy in our spirits, we feel and follow your nudge to be diligent. Thank you for your eternal promise. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to keep us always mindful of where we are at with you. Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Jeremiah 51, Jeremiah 30, Hebrews 7
3 comments:
diligence to the end....not lazy...
Anybody else feel the sting of that? Great reminder to keep at it. We've never "arrived". It doesn't matter that this is now year 3 that I've been reading the Bible through in a year - if I slack off, if I give up, if I become lazy, my life is not an example and I've given up the chance to be used by Him to bring glory to His name.
Keep on keeping on!!
Oh yes, I feel the sting. Great reminders, Jody.
Yeah, God has totally been stretching me in this "diligence" area of my life lately...
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