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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 6:9 - 6:9
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Observe here, 1. The holy widom of our apostle, in mollifying the severity of the foregoing commination and prediction; and the good hope, and firm persuasion he had of the Hebrews' perseverance in grace unto salvation, notwithstanding all the cautions and warnings he gave them of apostasy and apostates: I am persuaded better things of you, though I thus speak. We may represent the ugly and filthy face of sin to our best friends, to the end that they may hate it, and, as occasion requires, publicity testify that confidence to themselves; We are persuaded better things of you.
Observe, 2. The ground of this confidence declared, and that is two fold:
1. The graces of God's Spirit found operative to them; their faith in Christ, and love to all his members; it was a working faith, and laborious love that was found with them, they have administered to the saints, and do minister. Behold the nature of Christian love, it is an immortal fire, ever burning, never dying.
2. Another ground of this persuasion, was the knowledge of God's faithfulness in remembering and rewarding this their labour of love: God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and labour of love; that is, God is righteous, and will certainly remember and reward your faith, your charity, and good works; for he has promised so to do, and he is faithful that has promised.
Learn hence, 1. That faith, if it be a living faith, will be a working faith. Obedience is the fruit of faith, and we ought to look on obedience as our work.
Learn, 2. That it is the will and pleasure of God, that many of the saints and servants in this world be in such a condition, wherein they stand in need of being ministered unto.
Learn, 3. That the best evidence we can have of the sincerity of our love, is its readiness to minister to the saints in all distresses.
Learn, 4. That both the labour of our sufferings, and the labour of our services shall be remembered, and rewarded by a righteous God: God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and labour of love, in that ye have ministerd to the saints, and do minister.