A Better Possession
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Hebrews 10:32-36
32. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33. sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.
Endurance is defined by dictionary.com as:
the ability or strength to continue or last, esp. despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina. The writer of Hebrews understood the perilous life of a practicing Christian in the years after Christ’s death and resurrection. In those times the persecution was very real – often unto death. Society wasn’t ready to hear that it’s more important to care for those less fortunate than to satisfy individual needs and whims. I’m sure it was quite discouraging to be a disciple at that time—being thrown out of town—and/or threatened with stoning, being ridiculed and shunned, having your home destroyed and your family put out on the street . . . every awful thing you can imagine – that’s what these disciples risked.
What message does that send to us in this modern day and time? We live in America where it’s against the law to discriminate in hiring practices and in selling homes, and cars and making college admission decisions based on certain criteria. Not to say it doesn’t happen, but as a society, we have said we disagree with these practices. How do we live out our faith, then, as citizens of the world, and disciples of Jesus Christ? What do we do when we know someone is being taken advantage of or abused? How do we fight discrimination? What do we teach our children about having endurance for doing what is right?
Local election advertisements have been running on television for the past few weeks. It is so discouraging to hear candidates speak about each other in such disparaging terms. I would be thrilled to hear what the particular candidate will do for me as a citizen rather than have them expend energy and time running down their opponent.
I view these ads, though, almost like a mirror. It puts right in my face how the world operates, what is acceptable behavior, and makes me take a stand. Do I allow myself to be influenced by these ads? Or do I educate myself on the voting records of the candidates? How about being turned down as a potential candidate for a writing assignment because of a decidedly Christian point of view—being told “Your writing is just too Christian, we’re looking for someone spiritual” for our publication. Yep! It’s true! Isn’t that a form of persecution? How about being shunned at work – excluded from “group activities” outside of work because of your behavior as a Christian?
Society has very subtle ways of making it difficult to be a Christian today. People and organizations of all kinds have become pretty skilled at subterfuge and those “unspoken” practices that are so rampant in workplaces and even in the homes and neighborhoods of Christians today. But we are encouraged by these scripture verses. We are to do the will of God and receive what is promised. All we need is endurance to be obedient – and God is the source of our endurance through Jesus Christ.
When we’ve reached our end – God is just beginning. He’s waiting to take over. Remember Jesus saying, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." [Matthew 11:30]? That’s because we don’t endure alone! We know we have a great reward waiting for us at the end of time as well! That’s how we make it in this life. That’s how we can be true to what we believe. We have the Risen Christ as our strength and our example.
My prayer today is that you stand firm against any kind of prejudice, malice or discrimination. And that you do the will of God, finding all endurance through Christ.
Mary
