Calling and Purpose 57—Persevere in Faith, Worship, and Exhortation
In Hebrews 10, after the author goes deeper into Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice and the reiteration of the new covenant written on hearts and minds, not on paper, there is a call to persevere in our faith, to not give up gathering in worship, and to exhort one another toward love and good deeds:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The writer goes on to encourage us to not be lazy in our faith, but to be confident—in Jesus and His provision. We are exhorted to endure, to persist, to not shrink back: You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised…But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
This is not a new or just a New Testament concept. Just in Hebrews Chapter 10, there are nine cross-references to Old Testament texts: Psalm 40:6-8; Jer. 31:33; Jer. 31:34; Deut. 32:35; Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14; Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3; Hab. 2:4.
Our calling as believers is both individual and collective. The collective part includes persevering in our faith, drawing near to God, holding steadfastly to our hope in Jesus, pushing one another to greater love and Christlike maturity, prioritizing gathering and worship, always exhorting each other to stay the course.
We need the Lord and one another to go the distance. What is one thing you might prioritize this week so that you might live into this collective calling to persevere in faith, worship, and exhortation?
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Equipping Ministries Director at her church since 1999.
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