Friday, October 16 — God Keeps Good Records
Somewhere right now, someone is doing good work that no one will ever thank them for. This passage is for them.
Hebrews 6:1-12 — KJV
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 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, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 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.
Hebrews 6:1-12 — WEB
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 This will we do, if God permits. 4 For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. 7 For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. 10 For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. 11 We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, 12 that you won't be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.
Explanation
This is one of the harder passages in the New Testament, and it is worth admitting that up front. The writer of Hebrews pushes his readers past the basics toward maturity, then gives a sober warning about falling away, followed by a farm picture: land that drinks the rain and produces a crop is blessed, while land that produces only thorns is in trouble. Believers across the centuries have studied verses 4 through 6 carefully and have not agreed on every detail, so it is a good one to talk through with your pastor or your Bible study. But watch the hinge in verse 9: "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you." The writer is a pastor, not a prosecutor. He has just spoken sternly because he is sure of something better.
And here is what he is sure of: "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." Look at what is remembered. Not sermons or titles. Work and labor of love, ordinary service to other believers, and the present tense matters: "and do minister." The people he is writing to were worn down, and he tells them God keeps good books. Then he gives two instructions. Show the same diligence all the way to the end, and don't become sluggish, but imitate those who inherit the promises "through faith and patience." Patience, not speed.
Sunday's lesson begins with a people who cried out to God for years under a heavy king. Waiting, in the Bible, is rarely passive. "God will not overlook your work" is the other side of "God hears the cry." Both say the same thing: God is paying attention. And notice the picture of land drinking rain. The word "land" is right there in Sunday's title, "Restoring Rest to the Land." Land that receives the rain bears fruit, and God notices what is growing.
Think about the person who has cooked for every repast for twenty years. The one who drives elders to their appointments. The parent who keeps showing up. The coworker who did the right thing when no one was looking and got no credit. You may never receive a thank-you, and this verse is the thank-you. It is also a nudge: weariness can make us sluggish, and the instruction is to keep going to the end of the row. Where has tiredness started to talk you out of something good?
Thought for the Day
God remembers the work you did when nobody noticed.
Reflection Question
What faithful work have you done that nobody seems to notice, and can you trust that God does?
Prayer
Faithful God, thank You that You do not forget a single act of love done in Your name. We bring You the work that has gone unseen and the tiredness that comes with it. Keep us from becoming sluggish, and give us patience for the long road. Let us follow those who inherit the promises through faith, one faithful day at a time.
This week we walk toward Sunday's lesson: God Works Through Ehud.