Day 358 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Hebrews 10:32–13:25
Persevering Faith
There may be no better example of Persevering Faith than that of mothers. Today we begin with perhaps the famous mother of all time.
Jesus’ mother
An angel visited Mary and told her God would miraculously bless her with a son to be the Savior of the world. She persevered in her faith that God would do it, although she was a virgin. When Mary became pregnant, she didn’t explain the miraculous conception; they wouldn’t believe her. Mary didn’t turn away from God when people accused her of being immoral and gossiped about her. Joseph believed her, but only after an angel convinced him. When the time of her delivery drew near, she continued her trip to Bethlehem with Joseph, then bore a son in a stable and called his name Jesus.
Later, Mary didn’t lose her faith when she saw her son die by crucifixion. She grieved, but her perseverance paid off—she rejoiced to see Jesus rise from the dead to offer salvation for everyone who trusts in him.
Persecution then and Now
Jesus’ mother was not alone in exercising persistent faith. Throughout history, many Christians have remained faithful, despite what they suffered (see Foxe’s Book of Martyrs for examples). Even today, persecution continues. We can find many stories of the mistreatment of Christians around the world at opendoorsusa.org.In America, persecution usually occurs in milder forms, but it still happens. During the Christmas season, city officials don’t allow manger scenes in public parks or city squares, and Christmas programs in public schools must be secular. People also mock Christians for their beliefs.
How do We Persevere?
What do we do when people laugh at and mock us for our beliefs? Do we cave into pressure and just live a secular life? God wants us to stand strong in our faith.
Today’s Bible reading: Hebrews 10:32–13:25
Early in their conversions from Judaism to Christianity, Romans and their own people persecuted them. The Jewish religious leaders made them wary of Christians; they considered the Followers of the Way a cult. None would do business with them, and the Christians became poor. They soon lost their confidence in God, and some were returning to Judaism. Faced with this crisis, the writer of the book of Hebrews encourages them (and us).
First, the writer of Hebrews says to recall the times when your faith and determination were strong. Stay committed and remember, Jesus will come back and richly reward us.
Second, remember faithful people who have gone on before us. The writer rehearses the lives of many heroes of the faith and how they overcame the severest of trials (Hebrews 11). Perhaps we can identify people in our lives who have endured through tougher circumstances than us, and that by faith.
Third, like someone competing in a race, the author of Hebrews encourages Christians to:
- Throw off things that hinder us and the sins which so easily entangle us. Runners in a race carry no baggage. To reduce drag, they wear light moisture-wicking clothing on hot days and tights when it’s cold. Their shoes are lightweight so they can run well, and they fasten them secure. We cannot live well as Christians if we are carrying sins, bad habits, or are hanging onto material possessions or unhealthy human relationships.
- We should run the race marked out for us with perseverance. Our course may be long and have many obstacles, but God knows the way we take and will be with us in our struggles. Sometimes we can draft strength from other runners ahead of us in the Christian race. They give us relief and encouragement to keep going.
- We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Hebrews 12:2-4, NIV).
- God will bring us through circumstances if we rely upon him. If we focus only on what’s happening to us, it can discourage us so that we seek a way out or just quit. If we do that, how will our faith grow? Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus and draw courage from his example.
- We must endure hardship as discipline (training). Training isn’t easy. When we do things wrong, a coach or trainer corrects us. Working-out involves a lot of sweat, hard work and straining of muscles. Spiritually speaking, we become stronger as God works out his will in us, if we endure the discipline. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees (Hebrews 12:11-12, NIV).
Fourth, to endure hardship from the exercise of our faith, we should remember we are citizens of heaven, a kingdom not of this world. We operate by a unique system of values since we have spiritual life. (Hebrews 12:22-24, 28, NIV).
Some of us may not yet be citizens of heaven. Perhaps we’re sitting on the fence, trying to decide whether we should accept Christ as our Savior from sin. We may face persecution if we do, but we want spiritual life, peace, and forgiveness. Should we accept or reject him?
The writer of the book of Hebrews warns his readers not to refuse Christ. In effect, he says, don't, as an unbeliever who has received the light of the gospel, resist God, refuse to listen to him, and turn away. God will be angry if we spurn his grace, and if we die without accepting Christ, we will not escape his judgment intended for the devil and his angels (more...).We, who are citizens of heaven, should be thankful to escape eternal judgment because “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29, NIV).
Fifth, mistreated Christians should keep on living with purity, love, submission, and pray for God to intercede. The best way to keep the spirit of Christ in Christmas is not by fighting city hall. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16, NIV).
End Note: Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe 1563, Publisher: Bridge-Logos, Inc.; Revised edition (November 1, 2001) ISBN-10 : 0882708759 ISBN-13 : 978-0882708751
Discussion
How did Mary persevere in her faith? What can her example teach us?
What can we do when we are persecuted in our faith? How can we stand strong? What else should we do as a testimony of our faith in Christ?
Focus Verse
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: It is difficult to have joy when you are suffering or persecuted. In our Next Lesson you will learn how to Keep or Renew your Joy at Christmas or any other time of the year.
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