Read Hebrews 10:35-36
The Lord exhorts us to not “cast away our confidence” (in God). What immediately follows is “it has a great reward” (NASB) or “it will be richly rewarded” (NIV). Possessing “confidence” in God “holds a great reward for you” (ISV). The outcome? “So that after you have done God’s will, you can receive what He has promised” (10:36 ISV).
Absolutely, no doubt about it! Confidence-required! But what does that really mean for us? What does God define as “confidence?” (Other renderings of this word, translated as parrhesia, include ‘openly,’ ‘plainly’, ‘boldly,’ ‘speak,’ ‘plainness of speech’ Strong’s 3954).
From those, it is clear the call to “confidence” is about the way we live, not just how we are supposed to feel or even how we think! What we must make sure of is that we actually live confident in God, because it is not referring to having an emotional moment or displaying simple exuberance.
Since it's obvious that no one in their right mind intentionally says, ‘”I just refuse to be confident in God’ when they’ve been made to be His in Christ, we need to ask ourselves a question: what are ways that we “cast” our confidence away from us; how do we, through our own volition, actively separate from the grace that God gives so we can live confidently before Him?
Details, Details
Now, the detail I left out above. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that “you have need of patience” so that “after you have done the will of God,” you see the promise fulfilled (Heb.10:36). In other words, have confidence, then manifest patience! (that's for the 'recipe finders' out there).
Although we may often stress the “patience” that one needs as a Christian, or generally in life, etc., when it comes to seeing fulfillment of God’s promises: we can all too easily overlook what we must be patient at - becoming those who "have done the will of God.”
It is not “patience” in terms of good behavior with ‘everyday life’ God is calling for here (which, in & of itself, can be often quite wearing, even excruciating to exercise in moments). “Patience” alone, even as a genuine “fruit of the Spirit” (which means godly change of our nature into His) will not be sufficient to see what God wants to give being released (Gal.5:22). What? Yes, I mean that.
Specific “Patience” Comes from Following God Specifically
That’s because the “will of God” is not general here, it is specific. It is a matter of patiently applying yourself to that which you know God is specifically asking of you, that which He is leading, not just patiently believing for what He is promising!
What God reveals to us is part and parcel of His condition for the promises He makes to us and is not optional (Dt.29:29). That’s why the next topic past Hebrews 10 explains and then examples “faith” in Hebrews 11. There we see a variety of witnesses to that which was specific which led to pleasing, advancing & acquiring in God. Therefore, it is not 'patience' as a character trait we most often associate with emotional maturity God is calling for. Instead, it is a matter of staying on course throughout the process of God's leading: Joseph-style if necessary, Elijah-style if called for, Apostle Paul-style if unavoidable.
“Patience” must accompany doing the specifically revealed will of God. This is where ‘the rubber meets the road’ of “those who are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God” (Ro.8:14). Although “patience” IS a “fruit of the Spirit,” it is to accompany the administration of following God’s leading, which goes far beyond a general attitude, disposition or even character trait (Remember: “having the form of godliness, yet denying the power thereof” basically refers to 'Christianity' lived in the natural by human effort, not grace-powered faith which brings with it “the aroma of Christ” (2 Tim. 3:5; 2 Cor. 2:14-17).
This God-called for manner of "patience" is thoroughly biblical and also modeled for us. Paul attributed and actually even equated “patience” with doing “the signs of an apostle...in all patience in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. 12:12).
Following God’s Call, God’s Way, Will Result in “Patience”
Apart from the false religious ‘confidence’ that many say they have or conclude they don’t (based on self-evaluation of current behavior), when you are in position and functioning with God the way you know you should, there is an authentic strength to your faith that can be said to serve as a grace ‘add-on-’ for living and for prayer.
John explained: “this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask according to His will, He hears us” (1 Jn. 5:14a NIV). Although today we equate knowledge of God’s will with a right understanding of Scripture, they did not have any Bible at their fingertips as we do. The emphasis was on knowing God (not about Him). They had to walk in active relationship to receive understanding, whereas we promote receiving understanding in order to have and walk in authentic relationship.
They ‘had the goods’ and were being taught to understand what they were experiencing and what to shoot for in housing and carrying it, not the opposite (see 2 Pe. 1:2-4). Today, we teach people biblical principles in the hope they will experience what the Word reveals and be touched and changed by it. We tend to want to ‘know about in order to grow about,’ aspects; they had the ‘flow more’ and were in need of ‘know more’ to establish it. We're way too low! Why? Because we have it backwards!
Again, “after having done the will of God” refers to specifically following that which God leads, so that “you may receive what has been promised” (Heb.10:36).
I’m going to close by saying that being a Christ-follower is Spirit-first, not knowledge first. God doesn’t reveal Himself outside (or apart from) His presence. Jesus said the Spirit will be His designated as our instructor (Jn. 14:15-18; 16:7-15) I say this in all “confidence;” learning more info, doing more spiritual busy work- these won’t enable you to ‘grow out’ of what you have “fallen” into (Gal.3:3).
Paul wrote: “if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Ro. 8:13-14).
Bill Click
