Scripture
Vs 1 … let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity
Vs 10 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.
Vs 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,
Vs 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
vs 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
vs 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf
Observation
The author is strongly encouraging the Hebrew faithful to “go on to maturity”.
How would this maturity be shown?
Through “work” and “love” in “serving the saints”.
How would work and love be maintained and continue?
Primarily because it is “for His name” in the “full assurance of hope until the end”.
But also by being “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises”.
Application
How can I tell if I am mature?
The author tells me it as least entails “work” and “love” for fellow believers.
It’s of course brilliant to combine both here.
Sometimes I can feel like I am “doing” a lot.
Days, nights, weekends, etc. … full of activity for the church or other ministries.
My calendar can be full of activity … or “work”.
But at the same time, I must ask myself, “Is my heart full of love?”
If I am all “work” and no “love”, then I’ll get jaded, and resentful, and ultimately “burn out”.
But I can also swing the pendulum the other way and just focus on “feelings”.
I can think it’s enough to just “love” people “in my heart” without doing something about it!
In fact, I can easily convince myself that “grace” means not working!
Grace is against work, right?! … Not entirely.
I’m reminded of a Dallas Willard statement …
“Grace is against earning, grace is not against effort”.
I must heed the words of Hebrews here to “not be sluggish” in “serving the saints”.
So how can I do this?
I must realize that my “work” and “love” is not rooted in the “saints” themselves.
My motivation for “work” and “love” is “for His name”!
And my anchor for my “work” and “love” is “a full assurance of hope … where Jesus has gone”!
So, Jesus, Himself, is always my primary motivation to “work” and “love”.
But what about when I’m “sluggish”?
When I lose sight of my anchor, then I look around me.
I look to see who I can “imitate in faith and patience”.
God has placed amazing people around me to look to.
If I continue in a steady, patient “work” and “love” for “the saints” the result will be maturity.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for your word.
Thank you for providing people for me to look to and imitate
Help me be someone others may look to, as well.
Keep my eyes on my anchor, Jesus
And help me serve Jesus name
Amen