Not That, But This

by David Gibson

The whole Bible takes a balanced approach to "dos" and "don’ts." The author of Hebrews was written to Christians who were in danger of falling away. To address this peril, the writer offers both warnings and promises, rebukes and encouragements:

“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” (Hebrews 6:11-12).

“. . . and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

“‘For “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (Hebrews 10:37-39).

In each case, what the future holds should spur us to act in the present. Faithful Christians, who will “inherit the promises,” are to live in view of “the day drawing near,” because “the coming one will come.”

Note these opposites: sluggishness vs. patience, forsaking the assemblies vs. encouraging one another, and shrinking back and being destroyed vs. having faith and preserving their souls.

Away with half-heartedness! A glorious future demands earnest, faithful service.

Too much is at stake for anything less.