I've been teaching through the book of Hebrews this last 10 months. It's taking nearly a year to work through the book, but I have really enjoyed the study and my personal study in this amazing book. The intent of the author is to encourage the readers to not give up...even if things get tough. The reward ahead is worth the struggle. Keep going, it will be worth it.
In chapter 10 the author encourages his readers to "keep climbing!" Here are his words, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." This same word appears again in chapter 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Between these two verses and the encouragement to "keep climbing" is chapter 11. This chapter is what has been called the "faith hall of fame." It's the list of men and women who persevered in their faith. It's the story of those who made it to the top and stuck their flags in the mountain's peak. Chapter 11 is a chapter that makes this simple declaration- others have done it, you can too...keep going!
This morning I was talking with a friend about what a "mature" Christian looks like and we both agreed that it's not a matter of age or knowledge. It's a person committed to the Lord regardless of the terrain. Yes, there are difficult days in each life, but there are also wonderful days of just sitting at the beach watching the sunset. Life is full of blessings, trials, friends, and the things everyone must go through. The difference is evident by those who continue to climb toward the peak regardless of the challenges. It's simply a matter of perseverance. Keep going! Others have made it to the top, you can too.
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