We are familiar with some of the verses. In Ephesians 4:1 we read, "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called". In Colossians 1:10 we read, "so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God". In 1 Thessalonians 2:12 we read, "so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory". And in 1 John 2:6 we read, "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked". These verses seem to demand our attention and perhaps a question. How is my walk? How is your walk? I would suggest that our answers are crucial as we consider our relationship with the Lord and the health of His Church.
I have long appreciated the words of the beloved Apostle John, where in his third epistle he wrote, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth". He was expressing this joy to "the beloved Gaius", the recipient of the letter, whom John had received testimony about regarding his walk in the truth. In John's second epistle, writing to "the chosen lady and her children", he wrote, "I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father".
I have long appreciated the words of the beloved Apostle John, where in his third epistle he wrote, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth". He was expressing this joy to "the beloved Gaius", the recipient of the letter, whom John had received testimony about regarding his walk in the truth. In John's second epistle, writing to "the chosen lady and her children", he wrote, "I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father".
As a father, and as one who has been privileged to serve others in the body of Christ, I believe I have a growing understanding of the joy the apostle spoke of. I suppose that each believer who has endeavored to parent their children in the way of the Lord or who has been involved in the discipleship of others in His Church can understand the joy that John expressed in these two epistles.
I would like to share a few thoughts regarding the apostle's words in his second epistle. As we read his words carefully, we will note that John spoke of "some" and not "all" of the children walking in truth. Some, to be sure, were doing so, but not all of the children were walking in truth. This makes practical sense and I believe would be truthful of any group of believers. We are not told if the number was large or small; if those walking in truth were the majority or the minority. But John's focus in the passage is not on the numbers, but on the children who were walking in truth and the gladness it brought him. I think this is important for us to consider. All may not be walking in truth as we might hope, but we must rejoice in those who are. And although I believe this is the right focus to have, we cannot and should not deny the reality of the other. Joy is often replaced by sorrow when our children, spiritual or biological, are not walking in truth. For those we must pray and be available to God for His use in their lives if He calls us so.
If He finds it an instrument of edification, I know that God may use this article in however He chooses and with whomever He chooses. But my hope is that just one of those other children, one of us who is struggling to walk in truth, will be spoken to in a life changing way by the One who is the Truth. Over the years, I have seen for myself and have heard from others, of those brothers and sisters in Christ who were "running well" but who now, for whatever reason, have been hindered in their walk with the One who is not ashamed to call us brethren. Despite being new creatures in Christ, they have found themselves walking as "mere men". We have all witnessed the results that have been left behind, some more tragic than others, but all having an adverse effect on the body of Christ and the people and families that compose it.
Time and space prohibit me from exploring all that God has said about our walk and the admonishments to walk in a particular manner. But I would like to look at two passages of scripture from the Book of Hebrews and pray that they might be used mightily by the One who inspired their writing. The first one is found in the 12th Chapter, in verses 11-12, where the writer admonishes us to "run with endurance, the race that is set before us". First of all, I have taken the position that all who are born again, all who have been made part of the body of Christ through the saving work of the Spirit, by grace are in the race. The race has been set before each of us. Perhaps all are not running well, but each of us has the race before them.
Several years ago, a single word in this passage struck me as having great significance. It is the word "endurance". We should make no mistake as to the importance of its place in this verse. I have come to believe that too many have only wished to run a short distance, perhaps running hard, but only for a season. Too many have attempted to take any and all perceived short cuts, wishing, if they think possible, to dictate the course, avoiding the Rule Book and expecting others to run the rest of the way without them. But we are called to run with endurance. Webster's defines "endurance" as "the ability to withstand hardship or adversity" or "the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort". Endurance is not needed for the "easy road" but it is not the "easy road" we are called to walk or run. I believe strongly, and feel compelled to say, that once the race has been set before you, once you have entered the race by the gracious work of God, it is not an option to get out. I know this is contrary to what some may teach. You may or may not be found running well, but nonetheless the race remains before you.
Several years ago, a single word in this passage struck me as having great significance. It is the word "endurance". We should make no mistake as to the importance of its place in this verse. I have come to believe that too many have only wished to run a short distance, perhaps running hard, but only for a season. Too many have attempted to take any and all perceived short cuts, wishing, if they think possible, to dictate the course, avoiding the Rule Book and expecting others to run the rest of the way without them. But we are called to run with endurance. Webster's defines "endurance" as "the ability to withstand hardship or adversity" or "the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort". Endurance is not needed for the "easy road" but it is not the "easy road" we are called to walk or run. I believe strongly, and feel compelled to say, that once the race has been set before you, once you have entered the race by the gracious work of God, it is not an option to get out. I know this is contrary to what some may teach. You may or may not be found running well, but nonetheless the race remains before you.
The second passage of scripture that I would like to consider is found in Hebrews 10:32- 35. Here the writer admonishes, "But remember the former days, when after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throwaway your confidence, which has a great reward."
It appears that early on, "after they had been enlightened" by the Spirit, to the truth that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Hebrew believers had been running well. They had been living by faith, trusting God and finding great hope and peace in His promises. This was evidenced in their walk. I would submit that it was by faith, and the confidence it generated, that they were able to endure "a great conflict of sufferings". They had been fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. They had been looking heavenward, setting their "mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth". They had "showed sympathy to the prisoners", undoubtedly believers who had been imprisoned for their faith, at a time when doing so meant persecution. But they did so regardless, enjoying the rewards of faith and confidence as they ministered to the body of Christ.It was by faith they had come to believe and understand the "better" and "lasting" possession that belongs to the child of God. Some might say that this possession was forgiveness, everlasting life, a home in heaven, or the Righteous One Himself. But by faith they had come to know and be filled with the joy of this truth. As indicated above, this is what allows the believer to endure, "to withstand hardship or adversity" as he is strengthened by His might. So real and effectual had been their faith and confidence in the One who is faithful and true, that the writer says they had "accepted joyfully the seizure of their property". Such thinking was only possible, and would only remain possible, as they kept "seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God". Therein lies a common problem facing the body of Christ. Our enemy, or should I say enemies, the devil, the world and the flesh work together to distract and hinder us from remaining fixed on Jesus, from gazing obediently and lovingly towards the Savior.
For a moment, let us consider one admonition from the Hebrew writer to His readers. Again, remember that they had known living by faith and had seen first hand the faithfulness of God. It was not something they had simply heard about or knew existed for others; they had experienced it themselves. But now, with the race still before them, they were being admonished to "not throw away" their "confidence, which has a great reward". This was a confidence that for a time had been rightly placed in the Lord and the sufficiency of His promises. Perhaps it was not conscience or intentional, but they now found themselves in a situation of throwing this most precious treasure away, as if it had no value. Throwing away their confidence in God, the One who is always faithful. The only One we can truly have confidence in. Oh, the treasures and rewards of being confident in Christ!
For a moment, let us consider one admonition from the Hebrew writer to His readers. Again, remember that they had known living by faith and had seen first hand the faithfulness of God. It was not something they had simply heard about or knew existed for others; they had experienced it themselves. But now, with the race still before them, they were being admonished to "not throw away" their "confidence, which has a great reward". This was a confidence that for a time had been rightly placed in the Lord and the sufficiency of His promises. Perhaps it was not conscience or intentional, but they now found themselves in a situation of throwing this most precious treasure away, as if it had no value. Throwing away their confidence in God, the One who is always faithful. The only One we can truly have confidence in. Oh, the treasures and rewards of being confident in Christ!
I intentionally skipped over the first admonition in this passage, but believe it is of the utmost importance in preventing us from throwing away our confidence. Those receiving the Hebrew letter were first admonished to "remember the former days". The days when living by faith and trusting the God of creation had been their way of running. No, not when they were perfect, but when they had been looking to and trusting in the perfect One. They were being challenged to remember how it was when they had shown sympathy to the prisoners, in spite of the known consequences for doing so. To remember how it was that they had "accepted joyfully the seizure of their property". Yes, they were being called to remember the former days. Doing so would be vital for their walk.
I can only answer for my walk; for how I am running the race that has been set before me. But my challenge is this. If you find yourself amongst those who are throwing away their confidence, a confidence that once was your passion for life and service; I believe God would have you "remember the former days". And as you remember them, delight in the faithfulness of the Lord and be restored in your confidence in Him! He will never disappoint. Great is the reward for those whose confidence is in the Lord. This race that we're running is one which demands endurance. We have not the strength or power in ourselves to endure. But He will be faithful and be your source of power to do all that He calls you to. As Paul was inspired to proclaim in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". In Christ alone!
Father, we acknowledge your forever faithfulness. We are aware that you have called us to run with endurance the race that is set before us. Thank you for your provisions. Thank you for equipping us, empowering us and sustaining us. For those of the body of Christ who were once running well and for whatever reason have been hindered in the race, and are even now at a place of throwing away their confidence, we ask that you would intercede and cause them to remember the former days. May you help each one of us to keep our eyes fixed on your Son Jesus, receiving His power to walk worthy, to run well, and to do so with endurance. May you cause us to be children with great confidence and faith, knowing that our toil is not in vain, "For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay"!
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