Confidence to Endure

Hebrews – It is an unusual letter.

First, we are not told who is the author. We learn that he is in Italy and hopes to see the recipients since Timothy has been released. Also, we are not told who the original recipients are or where they live. Although, the author makes it clear he cared deeply for them (6:9) and is concerned about their staying strong in their faith (10:39).

Start Strong…Stay Strong

Towards the end of the letter, the author points out how difficult their life was when they first came to faith in Jesus. The sufferings they experienced…public ridicule and seizure of their property and how they cared for others who were imprisoned for their faith (10:32-34). Even at the time the author was writing, he commends them for their work and the love they show to God in ministering to the saints (6:10). Yet in all this, he is concerned that they would not stay strong in their faith…he is concerned for their souls…

Pay Much Closer Attention

The author wanted them to mature in their faith (5:11-14) so that they would have the strength to endure to the end (10:36). Throughout the letter he repeatedly warns the recipients of the dangers of falling away from God (6:4-8), of sinning willfully (10:26-31), or shrinking back in their faith (10:37-39). If they were going to have confidence to endure, they needed to pay much closer attention to what they had been taught about Jesus and the power of the new covenant.

Confidence to Endure

This makes me reevaluate my life…how do I handle it when I am mistreated for my faith…am I willing to stand with others who are unfairly treated for their faith? Do I have the spiritual maturity to endure to the end? Will I stand strong in my faith and endure preserving my soul?

As believers today, we, like the original recipients, need to pay much closer attention to what we have heard about Jesus. He is better…in every way. He brings about eternal changes that were not possible under the old covenant (or any other form of worship). Through Jesus’ offering of Himself on the cross, we can have confidence to come before God as never before.

The exhortation to the original recipients was to…draw near to God, hold fast their confession of hope and consider how to motivate one another to acts of love and good deeds (10:22-25). This exhortation is one that we need to take to heart. If we have accepted Jesus’ saving grace, we need to act on it in faith.

 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.  By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.  And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house,  let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.   Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:19-25 nlt

People Matter to God

Reading the bible can be overwhelming. There are so many people, stories, and teachings. It can all be a little (or a lot) confusing. I have friends who see the Old and New Testament as in conflict with one another, so they dismiss the bible, not recognizing the value in it.

When I read or study the bible I follow the simple inductive approach of asking questions about the passage I am reading. Finding answers to the 5Ws & H (who, what, when, where, why & how) is an important key to understanding what the bible says.

Start with Who

Start with the oblivious…if you are reading a New Testament book, start with the author. What does he say about himself? His life, faith, or his struggles?

No matter where you are reading in the bible, try to learn about the original audience. Who was the book written about? Or who was the book written to? Where did they live? What was happening with them? What was their culture like? How were they struggling or doing well in living out their faith?

Next, although most importantly note is said about God and Jesus. How are they described? What teachings or instructions are mentioned?

Make a List

I like to make lists…of all the things I need to remember. I have the general to-do list, today’s grocery list, and a someday list. I also make lists in my bible study journal about God and Jesus. Keeping a list of what I have learned from my bible study helps me in several ways. First, writing it down helps me remember what I have studied. Second, I include the scripture reference, so that I can find it again when asked about it. Third, a list helps me build a more complete picture or understanding about God and Jesus.

Start Today

Open your bible…read one chapter of a book. What did you learn about the author? What did you learn about the original audience (recipients)? What was said God and Jesus? Start your list. Think about what you have written…how does it align with what you had believed? Pray about your list…by asking questions or offering thanksgiving and praise.

Isaiah 45:5 “I am the Lord, and there is no other;

Besides Me there is no God.

I will gird you, though you have not known Me;

6 That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun

That there is no one besides Me.

I am the Lord, and there is no other,

7 The One forming light and creating darkness,

Causing well-being and creating calamity;

I am the Lord who does all these.