As believers, we live in this ever-changing and many times unjust world; therefore, we must cling to our never-changing Lord. Because he is the same yesterday, today, and forever—he is Truth—we can drawn near him, form roots through our trust, and grow in his righteous character. The Spirit gives us the desire for spiritual growth. As this happens, the world begins to lose its attraction, the Kingdom compels us forward as witnesses, and our hearts begin to long for our eternal home. Our focus changes to the Changeless One!
In our passage today from the writer of Hebrews, we are challenged not to be attached to this temporary world. Only our relationship with Christ and our service to him as our King will last. Believers are in this race of faith together and it requires endurance (Heb 12:1-2). We must not stop praying for one another, because the effort of the enemy is focused on destroying the work of God’s leaders to form sons and daughters who are led by the Spirit (Ro 8:14).
Spiritual maturity is hard work, but we have been invited into the rest of God to receive grace when we need it (Heb 4:16). Never forget, with God all things are possible (Mat 19:26). Happy Labor Day…make sure you enter into the Rest of the Lord!
Hebrews 13:7-21 NLT
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.
10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.
20
Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,[us]
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Prayer: Lord, we desire for you to be the beginning and end of our faith, so we pray and ask for grace. Help us grow in spiritual maturity and in the beauty of your righteous character. May we produce the fruit of your love, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.