“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God’s people), as you do. 11And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you will not be [spiritually] sluggish, but [will instead be] imitators of those who through faith [lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in His power] and by patient endurance [even when suffering] are [now] inheriting the promises” Hebrews 6:10-12 AMP
The Holy Spirit is giving us a stern message about the dangers of falling away because of complacency or persecution for the gospel’s sake. In the opening verses of this chapter we read the hallmark verse,
“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” Hebrews 6:1 AMP
“…Let us move on instead and become mature in our understanding…” The Holy Spirit was talking about the older Christian that by now should be a teacher but are still in grade school! The Greek work here for mature is the word meaning “completeness; the product of the process.” The Christian is expected to move on in their relationship with God and that would be proven by their obedience and life! I have met many people over the years that say Christianity doesn’t work. When asked about how the applied the Word of God to their live they respond with “well, it’s the modern age and so I don’t believe that those things were actually meant for today! The Apostle Jame put it this way,
“But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].” James 1:25 AMP
God has designed His Word to work! Notice what James said that we are to listen, faithfully abide, and then DO! In response to that the promises of the Word of God are brought to life, and God is able to bless us in ways we cannot imagine. Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith said this,
“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 AMP
WOW! What a promise from the One who gave it all so He could give it all to us! The Apostle Paul had a lot to say about this issue.
“The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.” Phillipians 4:9 AMP
Our verse today calls to us for maturity. Maturity to a state of full physical, psychological, and emotional development, characterized by the ability to make responsible decisions, manage emotions, and adapt to various situation effectively! That means we know Him, trust Him and serve Him and leave everything us to Him! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken