Hebrews 6
Hebrews 6:1-20
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do if God permits.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,
14 saying, “SURELY BLESSING I WILL BLESS YOU, AND MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY YOU.”
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.
17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
In the reception of salvation through repentance and departing from the things of this world, it is necessary to become secure in the living of this truth so that the fruit of it can be born in a perfected life of service in love. No matter how precious this gift is, there will be a loss where there is no production of its purpose in a life that glorifies the Master. There will be challenges to the diligence this requires, but in the further understanding acquired in His presence beyond the veil, hope is secured in something far more significant and gratifying than those immediate and temporary considerations that may discourage and inhibit. We are not venturing somewhere that our High Priest has not made a way for us, and in remaining faithful to follow Him, there is assurance of an inheritance that far outweighs any treasures of this life. There is a need for patience and love that discounts any consideration of self throughout the faithfulness of the wait, but the reward is worth never giving up and remaining true to this way we’ve so wonderfully been gifted.
Verse 10 was a sweet reminder to me, that God doesn’t forget our work or labor that is done unto Him. As a human, with things pulling us in different directions, or work, or family, or anything else pulling at us, it is easy to grow weary; even when what we are doing is of God and for His kingdom.
We don’t serve Him for the benefits He offers, but because we love Him; but because He loves us, serving Him always incurs benefits.
This goes hand in hand with what PStephen taught on Wednesday, that though we work diligently to serve God and His house, it is only in that matter that we receive true rest.