As I am writing this devotional, the clouds are looking a deep grey, the birds are chirping, and Toowoomba is a deep and lush green. However, a few month ago this wasn’t the case. It was dry, dusty, and dirty. The land didn’t stand a chance of bearing fruit. The author to the Hebrews writes, metaphorically, that such a land is in danger of being cursed. Bearing the fruit of good works for Jesus is so very important as we have seen all throughout the week and lives that don’t bear the fruit are in danger of being cursed. The author is reassuring the recipients that there are better things than a fruitless cursed life. He is sure of them bearing fruit that is line with their salvation. In verse 10 he writes that they have done good work and shown love for God’s name in serving other Christians.

What we do for one another should come from an overflowing of God’s love for us but it is also an act of love for God. For when we love one another, we are acting like the church was designed to act and this honours, glorifies, and loves God. Because God is just, we won’t disregard such things. He sees the inner workings of our hearts and our motivations and we will be judged in accordance with our actions and his mercy. So we are urged on to not be lazy or sluggish but to imitate those saints who have gone before us, and this will give us full assurance of eternal life. Our actions give us a reassurance and a confirmation of our election and salvation, they are the fruit of the Spirit that has been planted in us by God’s amazing grace. MC

Questions

At the moment, what does it look like for you to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ? How is our service of each other not just out of love for each other but also an act of love shown towards God? What do good works have to do with assurance?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you alone are perfectly just and merciful. Thank you for your salvation and love given to us in Jesus and give us the same heart of love towards our brothers and sisters and our neighbours, so that your name will be glorified as a result of our good deeds. We pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.