THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE
Hebrews 6:9 ¶ But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
The apostle has just expounded in great depth the condition of apostates, revealing their faulty relation to both the gospel, the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of Messiah. In our above listed verses he then turns to his other listeners and comforts them with his assurance that they are “beloved” in Christ. And to what does he list as the cause of his assurance in this? It is their work and labor of love. For spiritual, godly conduct does not come from the natural man, but from the indwelling Holy Spirit. They are solely the works that effectually follow from those truly born of the Spirit. In fact, they are ordained of God. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
To those also termed, “beloved” in Thessalonica he states the same thing. For to them he even states that he knew of their eternal election. That is, that the Lord God had chosen them in Christ from the foundation of the world! (See Ephesians 1:3-4). 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
These are the works that shall be brought forth at the end of the age to judge all men. In Matthew 25:30-45 the Lord reveals that the final judgment of all mankind will be according to their works. Consider also these verses. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
But take special notice of our title and observe that both faith and patience were listed as the apostle’s assurance of salvation to these Hebrews, as well as to the believers of Thessalonica. And to the Hebrews he states that it would be this “same diligence” which would bring them to “the full assurance of hope unto the end.” For that which true, God-granted faith believes, hope expects. And when hope expects, it causes one to patiently wait until that which is expected comes to be received. Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Then the apostle instructs us in our verse twelve that our enduring faith and patience requires a following after those who themselves endured. The Apostle Peter instructs us of the same, and sets forth to us the Supreme Example whom we all should follow – the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
James also sets forth to us the farmer who is required to have patience until the rains come required to bring forth his crop. Then he also sets forth the prophets as well. James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Also in our verse twelve there is an English word that covers up a Greek word that is only used twice in the entire New Testament. In the English it is translated as slothful. The only other time this word is seen, it is translated dull in Hebrews 5:11, and it was applied to irrecoverable apostates. It is applied in chapter five to those who have become dull of hearing. And here in our chapter it is warned against to those who might become slothful and dull. Not that these elect could ever be come reprobates. But remember, all five virgins were asleep! The five wise were just as drowsy as were the five foolish. (See Matthew 25).
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
And as there are two “dulls,” so there are two “impossibles.” Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
In verse four we read that it is impossible to renew an apostate again unto repentance, allowing him to start all over and repent when he did not do so under the first influences of the gospel and Holy Spirit,! We are strongly warned that the presentation of the gospel to ourselves requires an immediate acceptance. It is not to be put off or delayed! Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Remember it is said that these apostates came to be so after having been once enlightened!
Then in verse eighteen we are instructed of that other impossibility! It is impossible for God to lie! Lies have another source – the Devil! John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
And those who can hear and believe Satan’s lies, cannot believe the gospel! 2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Jesus Christ did not just tell the truth! He IS the Truth! John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Next we read of two other things. And they are listed in that verse eighteen as two immutable things. That is, these are two unchangeable things. They are things which cannot be altered. The first is revealed in Hebrews 6:13-17 and is God’s promise to Abraham. The other is God’s promise to the Lord Jesus Christ as seen in Hebrews 6:18-20.
In Genesis 22:16 God swore upon his own life that he would bring forth the entire family of God, who shall dwell eternally in God’s glory through the seed of Abraham! And that seed is Christ! Therefore to be in Christ is to be Abraham’s seed! Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Then the second immutable thing, as we stated, is God’s promise to the Lord Jesus that he would not be a priest of the order of Aaron, to continue the law. For he was born of the tribe of Judah, which Moses spoke nothing of priesthood! Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Therefore he would have an unchanging priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
And having an unchanging priesthood, he is able to bear the glory that man lost by sin. And he shall do so as a Priest-King. Zechariah 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
And because he conquered death, he has an enduring priesthood to make continuous intercession for his people. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Then there are two swearing. In Hebrews 3:11,18 and 4:3 God swears that those without faithful continuance in his son shall never enter into the soul-rest of salvation! Hebrews 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
And in Hebrews 6:13 God swears by his own life that Abraham’s seed – which is Christ, (see Galatians 3:16 listed in the previous column), shall have eternal life! Hebrews 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
We read this in Genesis 22:16-18. Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Dear Reader, the Lord God has absolute control over who comes into his eternal glory and who goes into eternal darkness! Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Therefore you must not allow the spirit of the Harlot church to reduce the Lord Jesus to just being a Santa Claus, or sugar daddy, or just a good old boy! He is very God, and he is jealous for his glory! And except you repent of your own personal sin, you shall perish eternally. Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
And as far as our swearing is concerned, we can put our left hand on the Bible and raise our right hand in a court of law and swear to tell the truth! Deuteronomy 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. In doing so we bring to bear upon the hearts of men that we are associated with the only Lord God, and we stand there in consciousness of Him! Thus did Elijah, the prophet of God! 1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
But in our norman conversation we are not allowed to swear in order to enforce our statements to be true. Our godly lives should be enough to back up our words! But that’s why swearing is so rampart among us today. It is because none feel they possess the example to be believed without some swear words! For our Lord said that we should just be able to say, “Yes,” or, “No,” and that be enough!
Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
But even our youth feel that they have to add various suggestive initials in their texting in order to be taken seriously! As the Lord states, These communications come of evil! God have mercy!
Pastor gene Breed
August 2, 2017
