Thoughts for a New Year

A Paraphrase From the Last Three Chapters of Hebrews

Don’t ever forget those wonderful days when you were a new convert. Do not let that happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! You need to keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised. And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything.

What is faith? Is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. People of Faith in days of old died without ever receiving all that God had promised them; but they saw it all awaiting them on ahead and were glad, for they agreed that this earth was not their real home, but that they were strangers visiting down here. And quite obviously when they talked like that, they were looking forward to their real home in heaven.

Some were laughed at and their backs cut open with whips, and others were chained in dungeons. Some died by stoning and some by being sawed in two; others were promised freedom if they would renounce their faith, then were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in dens and caves. They were hungry and sick and ill treated--too good for this world.

Since we have such a huge crowd of men and women of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. Take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though week and lame, will not fall land hurt themselves, but become strong.

Try to stay out of all quarrels and seek to live a clean and holy life. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. Continue to love each other. Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, for you know what they are going through. For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” That is why we can say, in faith, without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.”

Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.