Articles
Not This, But This
Successful living involves knowing both what to do and what not to do—then acting accordingly. The whole Bible takes this balanced approach of do’s and don’ts. The author of Hebrews was written to Christians who had not matured as they should and were in danger of falling away. To address this peril the writer offers both warnings and promises, rebuke and encouragement:
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 (6:11-12).
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (10:24-25).
“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 (10:37-39).
Note in each case that 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. earnestness, neglecting the assemblies vs. encouraging one another, and shrinking back vs. having faith and preserving the soul.
Away with half-heartedness! A glorious future demands earnest, faithful service. Too much is at stake for anything less.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
