Yesterday we looked at the warning to the apostates (10 v 26-31) and today through the next verses we are answering the question: how do we warn those who are on the verge of turning away from the Christian faith?
The author begins to pastorally lead this community of believers to the great hall of faith and then finally to the author and ‘perfecter’ of this faith, Jesus Christ, the One who concludes an amazing line-up of faith life-stories.
It is clear some of the community have already left, they have deserted this faith and others are wondering if they should follow. We all know people who have done so and we perhaps know some who are on the edge. What do we say to them? How can we help them not to abandon ship?
“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (Hebrews 10 v 32-34)
Tell them to remember.
These are the words that you could say:-
Remember what you have received. Remember the light that shone in the darkness of your soul. Look back on what has been taught you over the years. Remember the day you gave your life to Jesus. Remember the baptism of water. Remember the songs, the worship times when you experienced the presence of God. Bring to the surface the shaping of God in your life. Those high moments when the Spirit came on you and the Word directed your life. Don’t let go of the past victories.
Retain what you remember. If your present life as a Christian is less than what it was yesterday then get it back. Refresh. Set the renew button. Hold on to what you had, retain it. If you believed for revival and a powerful move of God in the past retain it now. If you were passionate for Jesus in the past then keep that passion now. If the Church or the Christian is worse than its past then it lost something but it can get it back. Retrace your steps as you remember what you have received and heard and then take hold again and this time retain it.
Remember the one who passed the baton to you. They may have died some time ago. But remember how they influenced you and the story of your life. Look behind you for a moment, who is there? There will be people you have forgotten. Their acts of kindness, neighbours, old friends, work colleagues, church believers, their words of comfort, cards and letters written. They are innumerable. They did it to pass the baton on. And you have been running with that since those days doing exactly the same thing. Living your life unselfishly, thinking of others that you too can pass the baton of the good news to.
Repent means to change your thinking. Often we only think it means to change our behaviour. But if we don’t change our thoughts then our behaviour will not move an inch well not permanently anyway. Our thoughts are the default of our life. It all starts there and it all ends there too. You can choose what occupies your mind. You can think differently. You can remember what you have received.
Missions Paul 