Special People are Dear Friends

              

Hebrews 6-Part 4
Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don't believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.
Hebrews 6:9-12  NLT

LET IT GLOW

I like the way the NLT and NIV begin verse 9, "Dear Friends." I used to like getting letters in the mail from friends and family. I still like it, but they are rare. Maybe that is because I don't send hand written letters to special people who are my dear friends.
I consider you special people and my dear friends.

Apparently, the writer of Hebrews was close the his readers and he felt a special warmth for them.
What is the writer of the letter to the Hebrews, a group of Jewish Christians, saying to his readers?

• He doesn't think they will stop believing in Jesus as Savior.
• He is confident that they will continue to bear fruit in their lives as a result of salvation.
• He says that God won't forget how hard they have worked for Him.
• He says God won't forget how they have shown their love for Him by caring for others, and still do it.

Liberty Bible Commentary says:

This warning was hypothetical, showing the awesomeness of apostasy if one could actually renounce Christ after being boran again. He is describing what would happen to him and to them, not what has happened to anyone.
Will I bear fruit today?


LET IT GROW

There are a couple of things the writer says to do:
First, keep on loving others as long as life lasts. This makes certain of our hope. We won't become
spiritually dull and indifferent. It sounds like that is to be our mission in life.
Second, follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's pormises. It's their faith and endurance, patience, that we are to mock.

Shepherd's Notes tells us the characteristics of true believers is listed here:
1. We want each of you to show diligence. Each one is to show spiritual earnestness and confident
     hope "to the very end."
2. We do not want you to become lazy. Christians must avoid sluggishness, realizing that enthusiam
    and excitment in the work of the Lord aare winsomely contagious.
3. Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. The counsel to
    "imitate" is advice to follow the example of those who worked faithfully and patiently and who
     always found God absolutely trustworthy.

We shouldn't become lazy or stop doing good things just because we are getting older or are retired. We must keep on using the resources God has given us, for His glory. Also, wwe should serve the Lord with gladness. What would our world be like if Christians got serious about being a servant? I can imagine all the good that would be done. Am I willing to be one of those people?


LET IT GO

Be fruity.

Keep on loving others.

Let special people know they are dear friends.