Faith By His Faithfulness.

Hebrews 6:12

“So that you may not be sluggish,

but imitators of those who
through faith and patience
inherit the promises.”

To look at this verse in context we would really need to go back to chapter five as it has taken a sidestep to strengthen the main theme of the book, Christ as our high priest.

However we are low on time so I will sum up the part that has often concerned me. Chapter 6:4-6 “For it is impossible, in the case of of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt.” This fallen away business has often terrified me, especially since in the verse it sounds as though it is speaking to those who have been sealed with or have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The fear of somehow sinning to the point of not being saved anymore is something I have often struggled with. It brings up thoughts like, “What if I have finally overstepped the line, what if there is not grace enough for me?” All of you already know of this struggle.

But this section is more speaking to someone who has grown up in the church shared in experiences where the Holy Spirit is present, has heard the gospel, and refuses to believe on Christ as their savior repetitively. at least If I'm making sense of it this the way I should. So then it is lack of faith that condemns, lack of trusting Jesus as the only and full sacrifice for sins. And then it leads into Our scripture and I would like to include verse 10 and 11 as well for better context.

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end. So that you may not be sluggish,

but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Now We see that a person of faith has a defining characteristic, Love for God and it is shown in outward action in this case towards the saints. The writer desires that that the Hebrews continues with the same earnestness in this Love, Why? To have the full assurance of hope until the end, and are not sluggish. How is this to be accomplished? Through Faith and patience. How do we have faith and patience? Now we follow the course of this scripture lets read Hebrews 6 verses 17 through 20. By this we see that we can have Faith based on the character of God, and his promises. It's amazing to me how a quick glance at scripture can quickly give the wrong impression one of fear, when that scripture is in fact meant to lead one to a stronger faith, and it's by this Faith and Patience we endure until the end, with expectation of the glorious promises of God.

Application

Continue in faith because of God's faithfulness.

How?

Today I will write down 3 ways God's been faithful in my life.