9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with 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, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
MacArthur's sermon on this passage was helpful to me once again.
The writer of Hebrews wrote this letter to a whole group - some of which were true believers, and some of which were not. But we are not able to judge the heart. The wheat and the tares grow together and only God knows for sure which ones are wheat. So, the writer speaks to everyone, knowing that some are believers and some are not, but not knowing which is which.
And by this point the true believers are probably getting a bit nervous, thinking he's preaching to them. And so now in v9 & 10 he says directly to the true believers - don't worry. God knows that you are a true follower of Christ and He will not forget you. Your work of love is the fruit of your belief. You have faith, hope and love.
And then in v 11 & 12 he goes back to the unbelievers and challenges them to look at these true believers, to follow them, to mimic them, to pattern their lives after them.
Are we, as Christians, living our lives in such a way that the Holy Spirit could say that about us?
3 comments:
the chronological plan i'm doing is a little different. do you know how they dated the book of job? mine has genesis, then job. i'm sure it doesn't matter, i'm just curious
This is the plan we're using...
http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/niv1984/cjan01.htm
We already finished Job.
I love that the writer leaves no possibility for miscommunication. He's clears up the things that could be misconstrued quickly so we don't needlessly worry.
Post a Comment