Be Not Slothful Hebrews 6:12

The Hebrew writer shared how God would not “forget” his readers “work and labor of love” which they “showed toward his name” and toward God's “saints”. He encouraged them to “show the same diligent to the full assurance of hope unto the end”, and in chapter six and verse twelve of Hebrews the writer exhorts his readers to “be not slothful” where we read:

That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The verse begins, “That you be not slothful,...”. The writer began with the words, “That you” which refers to “his readers” “be not” or “do not, in order not and albeit not in anything” “slothful” which means “slow, sluggish, indolent, lazy, stupid and languid”. The writer wanted none of his readers to be “slow, lazy, stupid or sluggish” in their walk with God.

The verse goes on to say, “but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises”. The writer continued with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “moreover, nevertheless and nonetheless” “followers” or “imitators” “of them who through faith” which means “in place, throughout and by means of assurance, belief and fidelity” “and patience” which means “long-suffering, endurance, constancy, steadfastness and perseverance” “inherit” or “obtain, partake or receive by lot” “the promises” which means “the announcement, assent, pledge and message of divine good”. Rather than be “slothful”, the writer desired for his readers to be “imitators” of those who by “fidelity and endurance” would “partake and receive” the “promises” of God.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we see the importance of not being lazy in the things of God. We are to be inspired by those who diligently work in God's business, and note the “faith and patience” in which they work. Perhaps we should think about people who inspire us in the Christian faith who have great “faith” and “patience” as they labor. Sometimes efforts in the Kingdom of God take untold “faith” and “patience”. Jesus desires for us to be “busy about His Father's business”, and as we are, may others inspire us to be “followers” as well.

Next time the writer refers to “when God made a promise to Abraham”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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