Keep On Loving Others

I love Hebrews chapter six.  It’s one of those chapters I’ve read over and over through the years as a pattern for my life.  It reminds me to always keep moving forward into maturity, not hashing and rehashing the basic teachings of Christ, but firmly grasping them so I can go on to further understanding (v.1-3). 

It exhorts me to keep leaning into my relationship with God, never looking back, and never turning away from Him… because I have been enlightened, and I have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit… I have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come… so woe to me if I now turn away from Him and put Him to public shame.  What can be done with me then?  Not a thing.  Everything gained would be lost, for I would have rejected the Son of God (v.4-6). 

“When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.”

Hebrews 6:7

I want to be fertile ground that bears a good crop for the Lord, and not full of thorns and thistles and seeds of discord.  I am meant for better things than that.  I am meant for the things that accompany salvation.  I want to see what fruit the Lord will bear through the soil of my life.

It is good for us to learn to put ourselves aside for God’s glory, and for the good of others, but we do have natural needs in our mind, will, and emotions.  It comforts me to know that the stories of Moses, David, Gideon, Esther, Ruth, Mary… even Jesus… and so many others… clearly show just how patient and kind God is with us in the midst of our humanity.  He bears with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15, Romans 15:1).  He meets us where we are and proves Himself to us (Judges 6:11-40, Micah 3:10). And yes, He will correct us, scold us, even discipline us when we need it, because we are His children whom He loves (Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:6).

This gives me peace that even in my weakness and human frailty, God will never leave me.  He is my truest friend (John 15:15). He will bear with me, walk with me, and show me a better way.  He will get right in my face and correct me exactly when I need it, which I greatly appreciate, for wounds from a friend can be trusted (Proverbs 27:6).  When my desire is to follow Him, He will not let me go astray easily, for my name is engraved on the palms of His hands, and my walls are ever before Him (Isaiah 49:16).

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him, and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”

Hebrews 6:10

My favorite part of this chapter is verse 11-12.  It stands out to me every time.  If I want to make certain that what I hope for will come true, then I must keep on loving others as long as life lasts (v.11). This will keep me from becoming spiritually dull and indifferent (v.12).  

Loving people can be hard.  It means seeing them for who God created them to be… seeing them through His eyes.  It takes work.  It takes letting go of ourselves AND letting go of them… putting them fully in God’s hands and letting Him be their caregiver.  He’s better at it than we are!  Truly loving people means learning to love them like Jesus would… and we’re not Jesus.  Sometimes we have to ask Him to love them through us. 

If I will be diligent to keep on loving others… caring for them, forgiving them, letting love cover a multitude of their sins… then I will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance (v.12). 

It all comes down to this:  Love, acceptance, and forgiveness.  I need that.  Everybody needs that. 

“Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.”

Hebrews 6:13b-15

Those who receive God’s promise can be perfectly sure that He will never change His mind (v.17). His promise and His oath are unchangeable, for it is impossible for God to lie (v.18)!  Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls (v.19).

So keep on loving others. That’s where it all begins.