April 27th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

You Need to Persevere

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Mighty God, Your Word is true, reliable and changeless. Teach me and build me up according to Your Word.

Read Hebrews 10:26-39

[26] If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, [27] but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. [28] Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [31] It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [32] Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. [33] Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. [34] You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. [35] So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. [36] You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. [37] For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” [38] And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” [39] But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will. I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal” (from the Methodist Covenant Prayer).

Think Further

There is nothing squeamish about the author of Hebrews and he does not pull any punches here. He spells out the implications of turning back rather than persevering. Part of his point is that those who go back to live under the old covenant will be judged on the basis of that covenant (27). The apostasy that is described in v. 26–“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth”–is not about things like falling back into old bad habits, struggling with persistent areas of weakness, struggling with doubt or even entering a wrong relationship. These are all sinful, but the proper response is to turn to Christ for mercy and help. What is described here is a deliberate and permanent turning from Christ (not the same as having difficulties with the church!), which denies him, spurns his cross and turns from grace (29). The strong language is the only appropriate language for such a betrayal.

But this author also has a pastoral heart. He reminds them that they have found Christ to be faithful in previous times of testing. They have stood up for their faith, and stood by one another under extreme pressure (32-34). With God’s help they can do so again. Whatever may have been taken from them in persecution, they knew they had something of far greater value that no one could take away. They are challenged to maintain that original confidence and so persevere. When Christ comes they will be richly rewarded (35). Verses from Isaiah 26 and Habakkuk 2 point them to faith as the way to both please God and find him faithful. Our author did not create the chapter breaks. He immediately begins his great section about the heroes of faith. Put together, the encouragement far outweighs the solemn warning.

Apply

How has Christ and his Word encouraged and challenged you recently? Is there someone who you can encourage today?

Closing prayer

Gracious Father, permit me to witness authentically and serve You loyally. In situations where sorrow, shame and pain abound, may I point others clearly to You.

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