11.14.2014 New Testament: Heb 10.36

To read the Bible in a year, read Hebrews 10.24–39 on November 14, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

The Christians who first received the Letter to the Hebrews, were second generation Christians (their parents were the first Christians), and so they had “grown up in the church.” However, their Jewish brethren who had not converted to Christ, were persecuting them, although not to the point of bloodshed. Nevertheless, these Christians were starting to fall away from the faith because of the persecution, but the writer encouraged them, saying,

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise… (Hebrews 10.36). 

Endurance implies an extra effort needed to finish something. You do not need endurance to watch television, but you do need endurance to run a race. The Christian life is not like watching television, but Christianity does compare to a race. During a race, the runner encounters several obstacles, but the ones who navigate the obstacles complete the race, and one of them wins.

As Christians, we run and that requires navigating obstacles, but if we keep at it, we will complete the course, and we will receive the promise from God.