Hebrews 10:35 “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
There are many signs that mark the times in which we live. It’s easy to consider the world at large without the Lord but another to think of the toll it’s taking on us. This is the easiest, most convenient age man has ever known. Technology, electronics, and machinery have taken much of the effort out of life. We have toaster ovens and microwaves, vacuum cleaners, computers, and vehicles-they take less effort on our part than what was needed years ago. One area of our living that still requires effort- always has and always will-is our Christian living.
In this scripture we find an injunction to keep going. Verse 23 says “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” One reason we see the falling away and the lack of interest is because we don’t put the effort into it that we once did. Folks then turn around and say it just doesn’t work anymore. Salvation still works. The Lord still works. The question is do we still work? One thing that is perfectly clear is that salvation is by faith. That is an effort; faith is not passive. Don’t think that afterwards you only have to sit. God reminds us we are to accomplish something. We are to put an effort in for the Lord.
Verse 35 says that is where our reward lies, and verse 36 says that we might receive the promise. We see reluctance especially as we get older, yet we must still make the effort. Nobody else will fulfill our role for us. Put forth the effort and with patience endure because God has chosen us. If we go for an interview and get the job we don’t just say “I’ve got a job” and never do anything. How long would you keep the job? The same is true with the Lord. He saved us; we have a responsibility in our relationship with God-that takes effort.
Look at the effort of God on our behalf. We had the need for salvation. We couldn’t do it ourselves. God worked a plan that was hard to accomplish. He had his hands full from Adam to Jesus’ birth. Time after time the patriarchs would start to mess up the plan; they were not putting forth the effort. When we slack on fighting the good fight of faith, the devil hinders us. Jesus comes to our rescue every time we ask him. He was so burdened with his effort to accomplish his mission that at times it kept him from sleeping and eating. He set his heart toward Calvary. He would not be deterred. Right before he died he said “it is finished.” In the Greek, it was accomplished. In the church world today Christians have quit putting forth the effort to do the will of God. We used to do it. Revivals were where you got revived. It’s time to put legs on prayers. We can’t just say it; we need to do it. Many talk of profession and have no possession in the Lord. It’s not just for us. The world needs to see that it is worth the effort. Friends and family need to see it. This comes through efforts of laboring and pressing on.
If God’s effort and this scripture don’t challenge us today, we need to run to this altar. The time for easy Christianity is gone. When the going gets tough, the tough need to get going. In other words, get going. If we want to get in better physical shape we can’t do it as a couch potato. We gotta move! We have to make the effort.
We need to put forth the effort to believe not doubt. Put forth the effort to repent. We don’t like to admit our sin, but we sin everyday. It takes effort to surrender it and follow Jesus. We have to deny ourselves and take up the cross daily. A lot of times we practice “me first” and deny God. If there is time left over or we feel like it we’ll do something for the Lord. If the woman with the issue of blood had not made the effort to get to Jesus she would not have been healed. All were stronger than she, but she knew if she could just get to his garments it would be all right. Jesus knew what an effort this took.
It’s the same for us. We must put forth that effort. We must do it to receive the promise. We have to make it happen. Don’t just believe; it requires effort and change. Start moving to do what we need to do. If we want it, then we have to put forth the effort.
When was the last time you felt the blessing and contentment of getting somewhere for the Lord? When we stop, it will not be accomplished. Reaping comes after the sowing. The reward comes after. Is it worth it? Jesus thought so. Let’s get moving.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 