Letter to the Hebrews Volume 52

 A Better Forecast is Expected for the True Believer Part 2

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: KJV

The writer of Hebrews begins his conclusion of the conviction he has in the then Hebrew converts to our Lord Jesus Christ of their continuance in faith and of their growing up spiritually into maturity with these words next in verse 11, "And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:" (Hebrews 6:11) (KJV). The writer of Hebrews unvails his on personal concern, care, and conflict that he himself has in his inner man for their advancement in the faith, not only for the entire body of believers, but for each born again son and daughter of Christ Jesus our Lord individually. He uses the English phrase 'we desire' (to express his deep and strong feelings for their spiritual growth and steadfastness in the faith) which is translated by the Greek word epithumeō meaning (as used here) to set the heart upon, that is, long for (rightfully): desire. In other words, he himself is most likely also a Hebrew/Jewish convert to Christ and understands the difficulty in resisting, removing, and relinquishing the old 'Law of Moses' and the many many added rites, rituals, and religious ceremonies that the Hebrew/Jewish Rabbi's added to the 'Law' making it a bunch of religious forms that had no power to get anyone closer to God. Many of the Hebrew converts were holding on to these things and they were hindered in their spiritual growth 'in Christ' by doing so. We recall when our Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the Hebrew/Jewish Religious leaders for making their made up traditions to be equal to the Word of God/Commands of God.

As it is written here, "Then came together unto Him the Pharisees, and certain of the Scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and Scribes asked Him, Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the Commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." (Matthew 7:1-13) (KJV).

We see how these traditions past down for many years had indoctrinated the Hebrew people into a false belief pattern that was very much a part of every Hebrew/Jewish home and even when converted to Christ was still ingrained in the hearts and minds of the Hebrew/Jewish people and could only be destroyed by their complete yielding to God the Holy Spirit's Power. Also the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian Church the very same rebuke with these words, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (Colossians 2:16-23) (KJV).

When the writer of Hebrews declares these words at the end of Hebrews 6:11, 'shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end', he means that this is his desire or longing for each of them that they by persevering determination lay hold of their faith 'in Christ' yielding to the Holy Spirit and stop grieving Him (Ephesians 4:30) and have entire confidence in God the Son to protect them and preserve them until the very end of their earthly sojourn. The English word 'hope' is translated by the Greek word elpis meaning confident expectation. The writers of the New Testament use this Greek word some 60 times and here is one of those times written by the Apostle Paul to the Church @ Philippi, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phillipians 1:20-21) (KJV). Here is what John Wesley had to say of Hebrews 6:11, "But we desire you may show the same diligence unto the end - And therefore we thus speak. To the full assurance of hope - Which you cannot expect, if you abate your diligence. The full assurance of faith relates to present pardon; the full assurance of hope, to future glory. The former is the highest degree of divine evidence that God is reconciled to me in the Son of His love; the latter is the same degree of divine evidence (wrought in the soul by the same immediate inspiration of the Holy Ghost) of persevering grace, and of eternal glory. So much, and no more, as faith every moment 'beholds with open face,' so much does hope see to all eternity. But this assurance of faith and hope is not an opinion, not a bare construction of Scripture, but is given immediately by the Power of the Holy Ghost; and what none can have for another, but for himself only."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…