A Life Worthy of the Prize
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Hebrews 10:22-25
22. let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24. and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25. not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
My NIV translation of verse 24 says, “let us consider how to spur one another on.” As I read through Hebrews this morning, I had a new appreciation for the amount of good advice and the encouraging exhortations the author gives to the recipients of this letter! It’s just packed full of good news and reminders of the “new covenant!” We need this type of encouragement today, just as much as the believers of the first century did. Probably more so today!
Really, though, people haven’t changed all that much in all this time. The rich still get richer at the expense of the poor. The poor continue to live in virtual slavery to “the system.” And everywhere we turn, “the world” tells us to grab hold of whatever we can, right now, and hold on tight -- at any cost. Spend your valuable time making money so you can acquire and accumulate more and more. Why on earth would you spend your Sundays in church, when you can be on the golf course, making your next big deal?
The time of Christ is at hand. We must diligently hold fast to our faith. We must weigh every decision, consider every choice we make in light of our faith. We must live our lives within the new covenant won for us at a cost too great to imagine or comprehend! And more--we must encourage each other and lift others up in their journey. We must live a life worthy of the prize that awaits us in heaven.
Hebrews 12:2-3, 14-15,
2. looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 14. Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled;
How do we live our lives day to day without faltering or losing hope? By keeping our eye on the cross. We are citizens not only of our own family, of our workplace, of our congregations, but also citizens of the world. We dwell among a world of millions and millions of others -- which may make us seem small and insignificant and powerless in the big scheme of things. But we don’t act alone! We act on behalf of our Savior!
With his strength, power, might, love, encouragement and faithfulness, we can share Him and His truth with all the world. Again, how we live our lives matters. We are Christ to the world. When I think about that, it really makes me watch what I say, and even what I think. All is not lost. Don’t get discouraged! God already gave us the only thing we need to live a life worthy of the sacrifice of Christ: Christ himself!
I hope today you will think about your role as a citizen of the world. And that you will see yourself as valued and valuable in bringing about the kingdom of heaven at the end of time.
Mary
