Equipping University

We often long for the good ol' days but not many of us would want to give up modern conveniences like cell phones, the internet, and air conditioning. The book of Hebrews was to say the same thing on a different level to first-century Jews who had converted to Christianity. Their new faith in Christ led to significant problems in other areas of their life. They are disowned by family. They are being persecuted by society. Many are beginning to think that a simple return to Judaism will solve all their problems. The author of Hebrews wrote his letter to convince them of the spiritual death that would follow if they leave Christ to return to Moses. Now, after multiple exhortations and warnings, he offers one final summary argument in seven verses in the middle of the twelfth chapter. He reminds them of where they once were and where they now stand. In this stark comparison, the decision they must make is shown to be an obvious one.

In the previous section of Scripture, the author explains "the secret" behind all the difficult times the readers had experienced and were currently experiencing. Their afflictions did not just come into their lives at the hands of fate and destiny. Instead, the author wants his readers to understand that God was and is behind all of it, including the affliction that was just now on the distant horizon. God ordains all the rough moments in a Christian's life but he does so for a divine purpose - the discipline of his precious children. Now, with this knowledge in hand, we must and can live our lives differently than in the past. The assumption of the author is that "knowing what God is up to in our suffering is the key to pressing on in the race of holy Christian living." Prior to understanding this truth, believers were often tempted to believe that God had abandoned them. When the affliction or persecution would begin, it seemed to the natural eye and mind that they were on their own. However, now armed with the truth that all the adversity we endure is part of God's sovereign design for our good and our holiness, believers know that God is using the current situations in their lives to accomplish a very good thing in their life: growth in holiness. Such knowledge is indeed transformative and should look like the following in the life of all believers.