Lose Yourself
“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
Hebrews 10:32-36 ESV
When I read a passage like this one, I am always challenged to try to understand how it applies to me. First, I have to remind myself that the author was writing this a long time ago when things were quite different. Then, I just have to keep reading and re-reading the passage, trusting God to speak to me through His word. Sometimes it takes a while, so I would encourage to to be patient as you read Gods word.
I don't think too many of us can say that after we accepted Christ as our Savior we started enduring struggles with suffering or we were exposed to public reproach and affliction...however, we did lose something, our old self. We become a new creation when we took that step, and in so doing, we started to understand what it looks like to have compassion on those less fortunate or maybe even in prison.
When we start to truly understand the depth of the gospel promises we have received, we can start to receive the endurance needed to live a life that just might have some hard challenges. It's during the hard times to that you will need to dig in and work with God given confidence knowing that what you have been promised is a great reward. Sometimes doing the will of God is not easy, but it's always rewarding. That's a gospel promise worth remembering!
- Jerry
Hebrews 10:32-36 ESV
When I read a passage like this one, I am always challenged to try to understand how it applies to me. First, I have to remind myself that the author was writing this a long time ago when things were quite different. Then, I just have to keep reading and re-reading the passage, trusting God to speak to me through His word. Sometimes it takes a while, so I would encourage to to be patient as you read Gods word.
I don't think too many of us can say that after we accepted Christ as our Savior we started enduring struggles with suffering or we were exposed to public reproach and affliction...however, we did lose something, our old self. We become a new creation when we took that step, and in so doing, we started to understand what it looks like to have compassion on those less fortunate or maybe even in prison.
When we start to truly understand the depth of the gospel promises we have received, we can start to receive the endurance needed to live a life that just might have some hard challenges. It's during the hard times to that you will need to dig in and work with God given confidence knowing that what you have been promised is a great reward. Sometimes doing the will of God is not easy, but it's always rewarding. That's a gospel promise worth remembering!
- Jerry
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