Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
God’s intervention that paves the way for salvation
Hebrews 6:9-12“Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation.” Heb 6:9
Hebrews chapter six starts with a warning to the believers if they are not steadfast in their faith. A warning - not to be complacent but be diligent in their faith. But in verse 9 the focus changes from warning to encouragement. The writer addresses them as “dear friends” and exhorts them “we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation” (vs 9). Faith and patience are key to inheriting God’s blessings.
Salvation is not only being saved from separation from God and the power of sin in our daily lives; but also saved us to eternal life, sonship, and inheritance by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Before Christ, we were sinners, lost and unable to please God. After faith in Christ, our relationship with God is restored, and through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, we can live a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit gives us power to overcome sin and its negative effects. Our life is a pilgrimage, and requires consistent faith in God. For this reason, we must pay close attention to what we have heard and believed, so that we do not drift away from it.
Genuine salvation is accompanied by diligent, faithful service to God’s people out of love for Him. In verse 10, the author refers to their love and service for Christ and his people. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (vs 10). The first and greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and the second is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:37-39). Same way, instead of living for ourselves, we should live for others. If we have faith in Christ Jesus, it will manifest itself in our life. Genuine salvation will result in a life of abundant fruitfulness and holiness. Love for God stemming from His love for us is the primary goal for all Christian service.
To love God is to have a passion for His glory, to see God exalted to His true place of honor. “Loving God and His name are the basis for all that we do in service for Him. We can never love men, saved or unsaved, lovable or unlovable, until we properly love Christ” John MacArthur (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary -Hebrews).
Diligent, faithful service to others out of love for God will strengthen our assurance of salvation. Our life should reflect the reality of what God has done in our heart. Dear friends, “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love. This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins”. (1 John 4:7-10)
Our salvation is rooted in grace and results in peace. Grace is God’s free and sovereign favor granted to undeserving sinners, like you and me, who believe. Peace is the result which grace has achieved, namely reconciliation with God. The price of our salvation is Christ’s self- sacrifice. He “gave himself” as a ransom for all. (1Timo 2:6). The plan of salvation is God’s will and its purpose is our deliverance. The glory of our salvation belongs to God alone. Grace and glory go hand in hand. Grace comes from God and glory goes to God.
Today’s text contains the three cardinal Christian virtues, faith, hope and love. Those who are genuinely saved will be growing in these three areas. Let me conclude this meditation by asking: Are you living by faith in God’s promises in your daily life? Are you growing in hope? and finally are you growing in Love, by loving His people?
Salvation is not only being saved from separation from God and the power of sin in our daily lives; but also saved us to eternal life, sonship, and inheritance by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Before Christ, we were sinners, lost and unable to please God. After faith in Christ, our relationship with God is restored, and through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, we can live a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit gives us power to overcome sin and its negative effects. Our life is a pilgrimage, and requires consistent faith in God. For this reason, we must pay close attention to what we have heard and believed, so that we do not drift away from it.
Genuine salvation is accompanied by diligent, faithful service to God’s people out of love for Him. In verse 10, the author refers to their love and service for Christ and his people. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (vs 10). The first and greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and the second is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:37-39). Same way, instead of living for ourselves, we should live for others. If we have faith in Christ Jesus, it will manifest itself in our life. Genuine salvation will result in a life of abundant fruitfulness and holiness. Love for God stemming from His love for us is the primary goal for all Christian service.
To love God is to have a passion for His glory, to see God exalted to His true place of honor. “Loving God and His name are the basis for all that we do in service for Him. We can never love men, saved or unsaved, lovable or unlovable, until we properly love Christ” John MacArthur (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary -Hebrews).
Diligent, faithful service to others out of love for God will strengthen our assurance of salvation. Our life should reflect the reality of what God has done in our heart. Dear friends, “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love. This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins”. (1 John 4:7-10)
Our salvation is rooted in grace and results in peace. Grace is God’s free and sovereign favor granted to undeserving sinners, like you and me, who believe. Peace is the result which grace has achieved, namely reconciliation with God. The price of our salvation is Christ’s self- sacrifice. He “gave himself” as a ransom for all. (1Timo 2:6). The plan of salvation is God’s will and its purpose is our deliverance. The glory of our salvation belongs to God alone. Grace and glory go hand in hand. Grace comes from God and glory goes to God.
Today’s text contains the three cardinal Christian virtues, faith, hope and love. Those who are genuinely saved will be growing in these three areas. Let me conclude this meditation by asking: Are you living by faith in God’s promises in your daily life? Are you growing in hope? and finally are you growing in Love, by loving His people?
Prayer
Lord, help us to understand the true meaning of salvation and live our life that is pleasing to you by serving others. Amen
Thought for the Day
“Not that our salvation should be the effect of our work, but our work should be the evidence of our salvation” Charles Spurgeon
Mathew K. Lukose, Sehion MTC, Dallas