Hebrews 6.9-20

Having started well, the challenge is to finish well. Not to be sluggish, but to be diligent. To imitate the example of those who demonstrated faith and patience as they waited on God…like a guy named Abraham.

Suffering can be very confusing. Especially suffering for the faith. Persecution has a way of making a person question his or her life choices. Am I doing the right thing? If so, why am I suffering for it? And yet, there is no maturity in the Christian life apart from suffering. Suffering doesn’t guarantee maturity (bitter vs. better), but maturity doesn’t happen without suffering. It’s been true for every believer who’s taken their faith seriously. It’s been that way since the garden. And it will be that way until Jesus comes back.

Why? Because we live in a fallen world. A world that is in rebellion against its Creator. And a world that is at war with everyone who chooses to follow Him. That’s why Jesus tells His disciples not to be surprised when the world hates them…neither should we. Sounds like bad news.

But that’s why it’s so important to be reminded that Jesus is greater. So, when we are suffering…when we are being persecuted…we know that the One who is the radiance of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, through whom all things were made, and by whose word all things are upheld, the One who is worshiped by the angels, is also the One who is the Heir of all things, both the perfect High Priest and Sacrifice, who defeated death and the devil, our resurrected King…we know that that Guy is interceding for us and saving us and perfecting us and will be with us no matter what. And that promise is as sure as God Himself.

So, let’s endure suffering, hold fast our faith and finish well.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.