Hebrews 6:9-12

9: But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 
10: For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 
11: And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 
12: so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

*** 

Paul had just given a comparison between the ground that drinks the rain, to one who has heard the gospel of Christ and partaken of it. If it produces vegetation, it is useful and blessed by God. If it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and burned up. Paul began here by saying he is convinced of "better things" for them—things that accompany salvation—convinced that they will not be among the burned, but the blessed.

He went on to say that God hadn't forgotten the love they’d shown toward His name by ministering to the saints. As we’ve seen, Paul typically commented on the love of the people he’s writing to. He often opened his letters rejoicing over their faith in Christ and love towards the saints. Not only does he take note of their love, but so does God, and He will not forget it.

We see that by ministering to the saints they were actually showing love toward His name. Our love for God is revealed in acts of love toward His people (1 John 4:19-20). Paul’s desire was that every one of them show this same diligence of love until the end—whether the end of their life or the end of this age when Jesus returns—so they would realize the full assurance of their hope.

We can be fully assured now that we will experience the reality of eternal life. Our bodies will be resurrected into a glorious one (1 Corinthians 15:50-53). We will see Jesus and be like Him (1 John 3:2-3). We will receive the fulness of His promises—the reward of our faith and perseverance until the end. We have this hope now by faith, fully assured that what He has promised He is able also to perform (Romans 4:21).

Paul’s desire was that they persevere in faith, continue to live in love, hang on to their hope, and not be sluggish but follow the example of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience, which we'll see in Hebrews 11.


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