Connecting Point: Let's Be Frank

Have you ever had a frank and candid talk with someone that you had to prepare for? Perhaps it fell to you to bring something to a friend’s attention, and you did not know how your friend would react. Well, in the Letter to the Hebrews, I kind of think that the author’s name was “Frank.” LOL. Hebrews has had more than its share of attention over the past decades, even

centuries. While the entire theological community is in upheaval, it’s clear the author delivers multiple warnings regarding persevering in one’s faith. He obviously has their trust, but they are pressured. He demonstrates his own faith. He exhorts them to stay to the truth:

Dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and

continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised, (Hebrews 6:9-12).

It is nearly impossible to miss the friendly, direct but urgent “message of encouragement.” Speaking candidly with someone can be done out of authentic love and concern, even when the tone is straightforward and passionate. “Frank” discussions accompanied by endearments define good relationships, “Dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case…” Here we see the Hebrew Christians being encouraged at a time of internal strife, some of it self-inflicted. I contend Hebrews offers a universal response that is yet unique. It applies to followers of Jesus no matter what era.

Discouragement is one of the devil’s tools to put doubt into troubled hearts. What occurs when discouragement takes life? First, we start to wonder if God is unjust. Fear and doubt grip us and we fail to recognize God’s sovereignty. Second, we make assumptions that God has forgotten our efforts or acts of genuine love. The author of Hebrews identifies these fear responses in Christians to practice grit to the very end of their life.

Opposition in many respects is a fire that God tries the souls, his own, to perfect our faith. What the devil intends for discouragement can be the catalyst God uses for greater purposes.

I’m reminded of young Joseph in Genesis. It is one thing to have sibling rivalries but to the point of selling your own brother into slavery would send any of us into despair. A few years later as Joseph was getting back on his “feet” a sultry woman of power wrongfully accused him of sexual advances resulting in a prison sentence. Fast forward several years while in prison Joseph was used by a confidant and then cast aside. Despite years of discouragement, one day Joseph, now a trusted Egyptian leader, was reunited with his family, unbeknownst to them. He kept faith in God and responded with grit. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives,” (Genesis 50:20).

Dear friends, God doesn’t forsake us. Please know He is always at work. Through faith and patience, we will be rewarded as long as we persevere.