And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence ^[a]so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,Hebrews 6:11 NASB)

There are times in our Christian walk that we can just get tired and spiritually lazy.   Paul reminds us that the good works we did, in the beginning, should continue to the end.  Diligence ensures the full assurance of our hope until the end.

The Bible in this section speaks about a higher measure of hope.  Matthew Henry has written, “Full assurance is a higher degree of hope; assurance and hope do not differ in nature, but only in degree.”  This full assurance is only achieved by persevering to the end.

In this world, people will disappoint you, even our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Paul exhorts us toward good works done for the right reason.  “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (v.10).  Our love for Christ should be the motivating factor in our ministering to the saints, and unlike people, God never forgets.  If we are treated poorly by people, and we lose our hope, we may be trying to please people by serving God, rather than pleasing God by ministering to man.

At the very top of the mountain, the climb often becomes the steepest.  Paul was concerned that the saints would lose their hope and faith in the end. Disappointment or just age can cause us to be sluggish (v. 12).  Paul directs us to imitate those among us or who have gone before us, who through faith and patience have inherited the promises of God. Victory comes for those who persevere to the end.

I worked for seventeen years as a missionary with Youth With A Mission.  My missionary work has taken me to Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and Ukraine.  I hold a Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University.  [email protected]