The theme of “holding fast to the end” and of “patient endurance” runs through the book of Hebrews (3:6, 14; 4:14; 6:12–15; 10:35–39; 12:1–3). Time and space do not allow us the ability to cover this topic in detail now. It is certain that no child of God is going to attain to absolute holiness. Every believer struggles with trials and temptations and, in many ways, we all fail (James 3:2). Endurance does not mean sinless perfection. Rather, it means never giving up. The true victor is the believer who falls many times (Prov. 24:16) but always rises up again in faith and presses on. We will cover the challenge, “Let us run with endurance the race set before us” (Heb. 12:1) in our final study on the example of Jesus Christ.

Next to diligent study of the Word of God, we need to develop an effective prayer life, based on an understanding of the ministry of Christ at the right hand of God, and our position with Him (Col. 3:1–4). Theologically, this is called the doctrine of the Present Session of Christ. Because He intercedes (“makes intercession”) for us (Rom. 8:31–37) and is our “Advocate” (1 John 2:1), we can pray with confidence and power. When Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the veil in the temple rent from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51), declaring all temple worship obsolete (Heb. 7:12, 18; 8:13), and opened “the way” (John 14:6) for every believer to enter directly into the presence of God—Jesus Christ being the only “Mediator” (1 Tim. 2:5).

The central focus of Hebrews is the High Priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchizedek, in establishing the New Covenant (4:14–16; 5:1–6; chapter 7; 8:1–6). Because of this, it is high time to leave behind spiritual immaturity (5:11–14), and to press on to maturity and fruitfulness (6:1–8). Otherwise, we will enter into eternity only to find that we, like Esau, traded rich eternal inheritance for temporal gain (12:14–17). Twelve Things You Can Lose as a Christian:
1. Fellowship 7. Blessing
2. Assurance 8. Fruitfulness
3. Joy 9. Purpose
4. Effectiveness 10. Stability
5. Power 11. Hope
6. Witness 12. Reward

Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” Hebrews 12:15–17

But never doubt our Redeemer’s ability to restore what was lost (Joel 2:25; Luke 15:22–24; 19:10).



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