Boy am I tired today. We have training and then appointments and errands… it has been so long since we have had enough days off to make much a difference… my eyes are almost constantly grainy and my ability to cope is shot.
Of course I could do a lot more complaining to. I could tell you about the baby not sleeping and poor communication, ridiculous tasks that don’t seem to affect us much and almost anything else. I guess the question is, Why?
I talked a little bit ago about nurturing each moment. Sometimes I feel like the task is redeeming each moment. It seems like a monumental task to stay positive and full of a beneficial point of view. The idea of actively trying to build each moment on top of that…
I never really thought much about it being one of our basic expectations. That is, however, what Hebrews tells us.
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
It is right there in verse 1. He says let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise. That him is also translated through Jesus. So through Jesus, recognizing that it can be a sacrifice, we are to constantly be offering praise to God. I like that the Author acknowledges that it can be a sacrifice at times, it is the next part that I don’t care for.
The fruit of lips that acknowledge His name… So. The natural basic result of identifying ourselves with Christ is constant praise. It doesn’t matter that it can be difficult; it remains the natural, simple, basic result of acknowledging His name. Yeah, I so fail here.
This basically obliterates the so called “realists” and pessimists who also claim to be saved. For chapter upon chapter now we have been reminded of the great promise and hope we have in Christ. Now we are told as a result when we identify with Christ we are to be in constant praise. Lets see you praise God by complaining or taking a gloom look on reality.
But not complaining is hard… so is growing fruit, get over it.
The Author does leave us with some practical ways to build this fruit in our lives though. He tells us not to neglect doing good and sharing what we have. Not, try and do good and share. No, that habit is the given norm that can be neglected, not the abnormal that must be built. Yeah, not so good here either. These things are pleasing to God, which in turn will bring us joy and give us even more reason to praise Him.
Then, thankfully for me, the Author just really stomps on my toes. He says submit to your bosses in such a way as to make it a joy for them to lead. So now we are not supposed to complain but we are to not complain to or about our bosses? Not even the political leaders? Darn. Sure this particular verse goes on and talks about spiritual leaders, and Lord knows your pastors need you to follow this (He did put it in here). But scripture else where lets us know that respect and prayer are what ANY leader put over us deserves because God put him/her in that position. Let us be honest, it does no one any favors to complain to God and inform Him in our great wisdom that He made a “stupid” decision.
Finally the author asks that you pray for him that he would stay clear of sin or things that would compromise his integrity. Our leaders are human too, and struggle to follow their own teaching as much as anyone. We never pretend that these teachings don’t hurt and can’t be hard; just that we have to do them. Of course none of it is quite so hard as taking the sin of the world upon your shoulders and being horribly executed to bury it in the grave, not to mention rising from the dead; but we wont go there.
It’s funny that children can over come hurts and fears so quickly and return to the simple joy of life so quickly, and yet we who have had far more chance to see God’s faithful work in our lives flat out refuse. If only we could be more like this…
God please help me not to complain, gripe, or sow discontent and seeds of negativity. Help me not to speak into myself and reality the bad feelings I have but rather acknowledge that true reality is You and Your promises. Father help me to build each moment for You and seek to honor You in all I do.
I see no better way to finish Hebrews than the benediction that the author himself gives.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.
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