The Exhortation to Diligence

Jesus Christ is superior to everyone and everything. This is the author’s argument in the book of Hebrews, an epistle/sermon by a Jewish-Christian pastor to a distant Jewish-Christian congregation.

Two groups are set in contrast by the author: the elect and the reprobate. Both groups exist in the church, although the reprobate eventually fall away from the Christian faith because they have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 14:17); and in this case, they returned to Judaism. Thus, there are five warning passages within the thirteen chapters of Hebrews. The most notable is Hebrews 6:4–8.

Once the author turns from the illustration of the two groups (prosperous ground vs. thorns and thistles) in verses 7–8, he issues an encouragement in Hebrews 6:9–12. The transition is accompanied by a pronoun change from they/them/their to “you.” The author addresses the faithful ones as “beloved” (Heb 6:9).

The beloved are “beloved by God” (1 Thess 1:4) and “beloved of God” (Rom 1:7), which means that God set His love upon this group in election (Eph 1:4–5), in redemption (Rom 5:8), and in regeneration (Rom 5:5). Salvation has manifest in the baptism and indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11), who caused these Jews to be born again of God (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3). All that accompanies salvation belongs to the beloved (Heb 6:9).

True believers are diligent workers in and for the kingdom of God (2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 1:5; 3:14). The reason for this work ethic is the indwelling Spirit, who is willing and doing His good pleasure in each saint (Phil 2:13), working in us that which is pleasing in His sight (Heb 13:21). The work of the ministry, our stewardship, is for the benefit of Christ’s church. As Paul wrote, “I suffer all things for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10).” God does not forget all that is done to bless His people (Heb 6:10).

As the indwelling Spirit of God does His work in and through each Christian, we experience the love of God compelling us to perform the works prepared beforehand for us to walk in by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Eph 2:10). To walk by faith means one lives by faith in God (Rom 1:17), who performs all our works for us (Is 26:12), accomplishing what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8). He who does the work gets the glory; and all glory is ascribed to God. Christians boast exclusively in Jesus Christ…not ourselves (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14); and our faith in Christ is pleasing to God (Heb 11:6).

Jesus has the name above every other name (Ps 148:13; Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9); and believers are ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). We represent the kingdom of Christ in the kingdom of this world (Jn 18:36; Col 1:13). Our labor is unto the Lord; and it is a labor of love (1 Thess 1:3). We are storing up treasure in heaven and not upon the earth because this world is not our home (Mt 6:20; Jn 15:19). As sojourners, our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). Thus, we press on toward the mark of our high calling (Phil 3:14).

The called of Jesus Christ were chosen by God before the foundation of the world (Rom 11:5–6), to be heirs of salvation (Rom 1:16; 8:17), appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48), and who were predestined to realize the full assurance of hope until the end (Heb 6:11). The sure salvation of God is marked by an oath and covenant that are eternal (Heb 6:16–17). Salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps 3:8); and He has made promises within that eternal covenant of grace (Is 55:3; Heb 13:20).

Grace is the work of God for the benefit of His chosen people. The promises of God are His Word to His beloved; that He will do all that He has said he would do. His Word is truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 1:14; 14:6). The children of God are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17). We are heirs of promise (Gal 3:29; Heb 6:17); and the promises of God are “yes” and “amen” in Christ Jesus, our Lord (2 Cor 1:20). We patiently wait for those promises to be fulfilled; and God is not slow in these matters of gathering His elect into Christ (2 Pet 3:9).

Because God does not intend for any of His beloved to perish (2 Pet 3:9), He is working to fulfill His eternal purposes (Eph 3:11). He has decreed our salvation; and it must come to pass in the grace of His providence. He will do it; and it pleases God to use means to accomplish His ends.

Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col 1:27). Christ lives in us by His Spirit; and He works there. His works were finished before the foundation of the world (Heb 4:3); but they are manifest in time in us. One of those works is the preservation of the saints (Jn 10:28–29; Phil 1:6).

As the indwelling Spirit produces the spiritual fruit of patience (Gal 5:22), so the Spirit does God’s will, according to His unique design for every believer. In giving different gifts to different people (Eph 4:8), we see a magnificent diversity in the members of Christ’s body (Rom 12:4–5; 1 Cor 12:12, 20). We see the creativity of God in the display of talents invested in kingdom work.

In this, we are not sluggish; but we are diligent (Heb 6:12). For another promise is that God is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). The vessel has an inherent desire to do that for which it was made. Thus, it behooves the vessel of mercy to seek gainful employment from the Lord (Lk 10:2; Rom 9:23). The result will be the joy of the Lord (Gal 5:22). Thus, while we wait for Christ’s return, we are always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58), as we are led by the Spirit, who guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13).

In summary, we have the promise of God from His Word. It is sealed by an oath and covenant. The promises of God are trustworthy; and they are embraced with conviction and without shame. We believe; and we wait in joyful hope for the fulfillment of all that God has promised to us in His Word.

The promised Spirit has also come to every believer to give us faith (Gal 3:14; Eph 1:13). The Spirit never leaves us nor forsakes us (Heb 13:5); rather, He works mightily within us (Col 1:29). He is the primary cause of all ministry afforded to us; hence, we are quick to acknowledge Him in all our ways and works (Prv 3:5–6), which He has promised to never forget (Heb 6:10). Knowing that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:26), we wait upon the Lord to do His bidding. He moves; and we move…to bring glory, honor, and praise to Him, alone.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

November 3, 2024

Hebrews 6:9–12