Confident Faith

KEY VERSE: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.” —Hebrews 10:23

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:23-25, 32-39

MANY admonitions are given in the Bible to encourage continued zeal and patient endurance on the part of the Lord’s dedicated people. Our ‘first love’ enthusiasm needs to be maintained, not for a few months or years, but to the end of our sacrifice. It is only those who endure unto the end, and are faithful even unto death, who receive the crown of life and live and reign with Christ a thousand years.—Rev. 2:10; 20:6

Earlier in his letter, Paul had indicated that holding fast consists in not letting slip “the things which we have heard.” (Heb. 2:1) It is the truth that is thus referred to, and the purpose of the truth is to guide us in the knowing and doing of God’s will. Only through the Word of truth do we know what our Heavenly Father wants us to do and to be. To let the truth slip, therefore, would be like a builder neglecting his blueprints. He might continue to build, but he could not be sure that a building thus erected would be in harmony with the architect’s plans.

This text opens with that meaningful word, therefore, indicating that the preceding context has an important bearing on what follows. When we turn back to the chapter before, it at once becomes apparent why the word therefore is used. The things which we have heard are of vital importance because of the source from which they have reached us. That source is mentioned in the very first word of the epistle: “God.” Paul reminds us that God had previously spoken to his people through his holy prophets, and that now he had spoken through his Son.—Heb. 1:1,2

And what a high position of authority the Heavenly Father had given to his Son! He had appointed him heir of all things, exalted him to the express image of his own person, and seated him at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Jesus had been made better than the angels, and had by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Because he had loved righteousness and hated iniquity, God had anointed him with the oil of gladness above his fellows.—Heb 1:3-9

It is through this divinely authorized channel that our Heavenly Father spoke to his called-out ones at the beginning of the age, and has continued thus to speak throughout the age. In view of this Paul said, it is important that we take earnest heed to the things which we have heard, for they have not reached us through any ordinary channel, but from the glorified Jesus, who has been exalted to the right hand of God. This means that every aspect of the divine plan is of vital concern to each dedicated follower of the Master. To let any part of the truth slip, through lack of interest or zeal, would be as though we “refused” him who has spoken to us.—Heb 12:25

The apostle earlier wrote: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus: who was faithful to him that appointed him.” (Heb. 3:1,2) It is appropriate that Paul should associate the heavenly calling with the fact that the called ones of this age are a priestly class over which Jesus is the Head—our High Priest. Peter wrote of this priesthood, and pointed out that its object is to offer sacrifices “acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 2:5) Thus it is stated that according to our calling, our profession is to be that of a priest associated with Jesus in the heavenlies beyond the veil, “whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.”—Heb. 6:18-20

Paul referred to our heavenly hope as the “prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14) A prize is something for which a person is willing to strive, and to make sacrifices to attain. This is especially true of the prize of the high, or heavenly, calling. If for any reason we lose sight of this glorious prize, one of the great incentives for Christian faithfulness is lost.

Let us, then, “hold fast the profession of our hope, that it waver not.” (Heb. 10:23, RSV) We know that God has been faithful to his people in every age, and that now he will give us strength for our every time of need. Through his beloved Son he has fed us with meat in due season, and in this glorious feast of truth we have rejoiced and will continue to be glad.

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