The Only Way  2-26-06

Hebrews 10:23-25
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

According to the Asbury Bible Commentary, God is faithful to his promise, and therein lies our hope. To waver in our confession that Jesus has opened the only living way to God, to lose sight of the firm and secure hope offered us in Christ, is to find ourselves outside the curtain again looking for some other way in. Apparently some of the original recipients of this letter were in such a predicament, even to the point of giving up meeting together. The true worshiper of God, however, is mindful of every inducement to love and do good to others, providing encouragement and support as required. Christ is faithful, and the same faithfulness and commitment mark those who wait his promised return.

The greatest danger of all is to lose one’s grip on Christ and to seek an alternative way through the curtain to God. According to the Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, the experience of worship is a community affair. We do not respond automatically to the full meaning of worship; we need to be stimulated. Even in the apostolic age there were people who were neglecting to meet together in worship and needed encouragement.

Do you ever wonder why unrighteous people seem to get along so good and seem to prosper while righteous people suffer? Jesus told in the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 16, about a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at the gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table. The poor man died and was carried away by the angles to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames. But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received the good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.

So just stop wondering why unrighteous people seem to prosper while righteous people suffer. Yes, stop wondering and study your Bible. Our hope is not mere speculation in what God might do. God has given His word on so many areas of life regarding things He will do. We can be confident.