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Hebrews 6:9-12
The author of Hebrews changes his message from a warning (Hebrews 6:4-8) to that of encouragement (Hebrews 6:9-12). He begins to build up the confidence of the hearers/readers in Hebrews 6:10 as he states (NKJV), “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” He goes on in Hebrews 6:11-12 to teach that believers should have an active life of imitating those described in verse 10 as he states in Hebrews 6:12b, “but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
This is an encouragement to be active in one’s walk with Jesus.
This is a promise that our walk with the Lord is a “labor of love” (Hebrews 6:10).
I like the way the author of Hebrews ends this passage as quoted from Hebrews 6:11-12, (NIV), “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” This is a great example of our “works” being a result of our salvation and a reflection of it. Jesus left us in the physical world with a command which requires action: (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV), “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Dear LORD,
You have given us a new life in Christ Jesus that is an active working of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Please help us to be active in our walk with You as we learn to imitate those who You have given as examples to follow – in Christ, that we too would develop into being examples for others to follow in an active new life – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.