Day 358, December 24 Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Hebrews 10:32–13:25 Persevering Faith Mary persevered in her faith that God would miraculously bless her with a son, who would grow up to be the Savior of the world, even though she was a young virgin (Bible scholars think she may have been 12-14 years-old). She persevered when people accused her of being immoral—they would not believe her story. She persevered on her trip to Bethlehem, although she was soon to give birth. She persevered in her faith when she saw her son grow up to be the Messiah and then die by crucifixion. Her perseverance paid off—she rejoiced to see Jesus risen from the dead to offer salvation for everyone who trusts in him. Jesus' mother was not alone in exercising persistent faith. Throughout history, many Christians have remained faithful, despite what they suffered (see Foxe's Book of Martyrs). Even today, persecution continues. Many stories of the mistreatment of Christians around the world can be found at opendoorsusa.org. In America, persecution usually occurs in milder forms, but it still happens. It is disturbing that at Christmas time manger scenes are not allowed in public parks or city squares, and children's Christmas programs in public schools must be secular. Christians are mocked for their beliefs that God created the whole universe and everything on earth out of nothing in just six literal days, merely by speaking. Once there was a world-wide flood, but Noah and his family were saved in a large boat that carried every kind of land animal and bird. People once lived to great ages of up to 900 years. Methuselah was 969 when he died. Abraham's wife, Sarah, had a child when she was 90. Jesus came from God. He was born of a virgin maiden, and he never did anything wrong. As a man he did miracles and taught about God, but when he was thirty-three he was unjustly crucified on a wooden cross and died for the sins of all humanity. Three days later, he arose from the dead, was seen alive by over 500 people at one time, and after a month, he went up to heaven in clouds. We believe Jesus will come again to rule and reign on the earth as he said. Jesus is the only way to God. The Bible is God's Word and is without error and completely trustworthy. What do we do when we are mocked and otherwise persecuted for our beliefs? Do we cave into pressure and just live a secular life? No, God wants us to stand strong in our faith. How do we Stand Strong in our Faith? The writer of the book of Hebrews gives us the answer. Remember those earlier days after you had received the light [of salvation], when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:32-36, NIV). The Jewish believers who suffered persecution early on in their Christian experience had lost their confidence in God. To stand strong, first they are encouraged to remember when their faith and determination was solid, to persevere, and to remember that Jesus will soon come back and richly reward them. Second, they are to remember others who have gone on before them, and the struggles they have overcome by faith. The writer of Hebrews rehearses the lives of many heroes of the faith and how they overcame the severest of trials (Hebrews 11). Perhaps we can identify people in our lives who have endured through tougher circumstances than us, and that by faith. We need to draw courage from their example to help us persevere. Third, the author of Hebrews gives helpful instructions for them (and us) to stand strong in their trials (Hebrews 12:1-12): We must throw off things that hinder us and the sins which so easily entangle us. Runners in a race carry no baggage. To reduce drag, they wear very little clothing. Their shoes are also lightweight so they can run well, and they are fastened tight. We cannot live well as a Christian if we are carrying sins or bad habits, or hanging onto our material possessions or unhealthy human relationships. We must run the race marked out for us with perseverance. Our course may be long and have many obstacles, but God knows the way we take and will be with us in our struggles. We must fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Hebrews 12:2-4, NIV). God will bring us through circumstances, if we rely upon him. If we focus only on our circumstances, we may be easily discouraged and seek a way out or just quit. If we do that, how will our faith be perfected? Let's fix our eyes on Jesus and draw courage from his example. We must endure hardship as discipline (training). Training is not easy. When we do things wrong, we have to be corrected. Working out involves a lot of sweat, hard work and straining of muscles. Spiritually speaking, we will become stronger as God works out his will in us, if we endure the discipline. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees (Hebrews 12:11-12, NIV). Fourth, to endure hardship from the exercise of our faith, we should remember that we are citizens of heaven, a kingdom not of this world. We operate by a different system of values now that we have spiritual life. (Hebrews 12:22-24, 28, NIV). Some us may not yet be citizens of heaven. We may be sitting on the fence, trying to decide whether we should accept Christ as our Savior from sin. We may face persecution. Should we accept or reject him? The writer of the book of Hebrews warns his readers to not refuse Christ. In effect he says, Do not, as an unbeliever who has received the light of the gospel, resist God, refuse to listen to him, and turn away. God offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life (more...). He will be angry if we spurn his grace, and we will not escape his judgment (Hebrews 12:25). We, who are citizens of heaven, should be thankful to escape eternal judgment because “our God is a consuming fire” (12:29, NIV). How should we then live? Fifth, those who are mistreated for their Christian faith should keep on living with purity, love, and submission, and pray for God to intercede. The best way to keep the spirit of Christ in Christmas is not by fighting city hall. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise— the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16, NIV). Discussion How did Mary persevere in her faith? What can her example teach us? What can we do when we are persecuted in our faith? How can we stand strong? Focus Verse Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study: Enter your prayer here: Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com Looking Ahead: It is difficult to have joy when you are suffering or persecuted. In our Next Lesson you will learn how to Keep or Renew your Joy at Christmas or any other time of the year. Previous Lesson  |  Next Lesson Back to top of page Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page Go to Scriptures main page Go to Topics main page Go to Home page re-edited 12-22-2020

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