Imitating the inheritors of the promises.
"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them," etc. Great is our ignorance as to the life and condition of those who have left this world. The ancient heathens speculated as to the state and circumstances of the departed. The Old Testament Scriptures afforded some light on the question; but not very much. "Our Savior Jesus Christ abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel." But still at times anxious inquiries arise within us. When the awful subject has been pressed upon us as we have looked upon some one passing through the experience of death, the questions arise, "Where is he? Where are the departed? And what are they? Are they asleep or awake? In heaven or in hell? or in some not final, intermediate state?" In addition to the light which comes directly from Christ, we learn from our text that the good have entered upon the promised blessings, have taken possession of their patrimony. This should afford us great satisfaction and encouragement. We may profitably dwell upon three facts suggested by our text.
I. THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED UPON THE POSSESSION OF THE BLESSINGS PROMISED BY GOD TO HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE. "Them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." What are these promises? What is this inheritance? It is variously described. "Perfection" (Hebrews 6:1); "the joy of our Lord" (Matthew 25:21); a "mansion" in our "Father's house" (John 14:2); the rest which remaineth for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9); "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled," etc. (1 Peter 1:4). In a word, it is "eternal life"—heaven. There are some who have taken possession of tiffs inheritance. With them it is not future, but present; not believed in, but realized; not hoped for, but enjoyed. The eleventh chapter of this Epistle refers to a great number who have entered upon the inheritance. St. John saw "a great multitude, which no man could number," etc. (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:10). Millions more have joined them from prison-cells, from the martyr's gory block and fiery stake, from dread battle-fields, from wrecks on furious seas, from the wards of noble hospitals, and from the quiet chambers and gentle ministries of loving homes. The countless hosts are increasing every hour. How inspiring is this fact!
II. THEY HAVE ENTERED UPON THIS POSSESSION BY THE EXERCISE OF FAITH AND PATIENCE. Faith in the existence of the promised blessings and in the promise to bestow them, is what is meant here. Faith in the unseen, in the future life, in heaven, in God and his promises. Many who inherit the promises were giants in faith (Hebrews 11:33-35). And patience. They were sorely tried, but they patiently endured. They had to wait the fulfillment of the promises, and they waited patiently. But "patience" here does not simply mean passive endurance, but active fidelity; not merely quiet waiting, but diligent working. It is "patience in well-doing" (Romans 2:7). By these means they entered upon the inheritance—faith, patience, and diligence; believing, waiting, and working.
III. THESE INHERITORS OF THE PROMISED BLESSINGS ARE EXAMPLES TO US. "That ye be not slothful, but imitators of them," etc. We are greatly influenced by examples. We are imitators by nature. To a great extent we have become what we are by imitation. Unconsciously we imitate others. Unconsciously others imitate us. But as to intentional imitation—whom shall we imitate? There is but One whom we may imitate in all things; but one perfect Example. But to a certain extent all holy men are examples to us; all who have entered heaven are worthy of imitation in some respects. We tread the same path which they trod—"the King's highway of holiness." We aim at the same end—perfection, eternal life, heaven. They have gained their end, succeeded in their pursuit, reached the goal. Let us imitate them:
1. In their faith. Believe in God's promises of perfection and blessedness. But this involves faith in Jesus Christ; because
2. In their patience. In darkness and tempest, in sin and sorrow, let us not lose heart or hope; but trust and wait. And, like theirs, let our waiting be joined with working. "Be not slothful." Their lives were active and earnest. Shall we be slothful in an age like this? slothful in a life like ours? slothful when heaven is at stake? Let us be imitators of the illustrious host who inherit the promises. "Be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," etc. (1 Corinthians 15:58). Are any of you imitators of those who inherit the threatenings? Change your course; for your way is evil and the end terrible. "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good," etc.—W.J.
The anchor of the soul.
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul," etc. Christians have been exhorted to imitate "them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." There are most excellent reasons for their doing so; for God's purposes and promises are most sure. They were not lightly or hastily made; they are most solemnly confirmed; they are "immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie;" and they supply the strongest encouragement to the Christian's hopes (Hebrews 6:13-18). Notice—
I. THE OBJECT OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. This is not explicitly stated in the text; but it is implied in it, and it may be gathered from the argument of the writer. We may define it as the attainment of his destiny, or the perfection of his being. But to mention some particulars:
1. Freedom from sin and suffering. The rest which remaineth for the people of God certainly includes deliverance from sin, and from pain of body, and distress of mind, and darkness and sorrow of spirit. We must become free from sin, or our salvation will be neither complete nor true; for sin would mar the fairest realms, and fill them with discord and misery.
2. Attainment of spiritual perfection. "Let us press on unto perfection" (Hebrews 6:1). We hope for more clear, more correct, more comprehensive knowledge; for purity of heart which will be perfect in its kind, though not in its degree; for love which shall be perfect in like manner; and for harmony between our purposes and performances, our willing and doing. We are inspired by the sublime hope of becoming like unto our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:3).
3. Enjoyment of heavenly blessedness. Through Christ God will bring "many sons unto glory." Jesus, has entered heaven as our Forerunner, and we hope to follow him thither. We are "looking for the blessed hope," etc. (Titus 2:13). "God hath begotten us again unto a living hope," etc. (1 Peter 1:3-5). This glorious hope is "set before us" as a prize to be won; it is "set before us" to animate our spirits, to strengthen our bands in Christian work, and to quicken our feet in the Christian race, Contrast this with any inferior object of hope; e.g. worldly possessions, worldly pleasures, worldly honor's. These do not satisfy; that does. These degrade the soul; that exalts it. These will fail those who have attained and cherished them; that will lead to splendid and perpetual fulfillment.
II. THE INFLUENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entering into that which is within the veil." This hope is the stay of the soul amid a tumultuous world. It is clearly implied:
1. That the voyage of life is marked by storms. These storms are occasioned by bodily afflictions, temporal anxieties and losses, family trials, domestic and social bereavements, and spiritual conflicts.
2. That these storms try and imperil the soul. There is danger of striking upon the hidden rock of some subtle and insidious sin, of being driven by the wild winds of passion against stern and stony cliffs, or of being hurried helplessly onward by fierce storms of sorrow. The dangers in navigating the sea of life are numerous and various. Many a noble soul has reached the desired haven sore damaged in life's storms, while some, alas! have "made shipwreck concerning the faith."
3. That the Christian's hope, as an anchor, will enable him safely to outride the storms. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast," etc. Ebrard's note seems to us both true and beautiful: "Two figures are here, not so much mixed as, in a very elegant manner, combined. The author might compare the world to a sea, the soul to a ship, the future still concealed glory to the covered bottom of the sea, the remote firm land stretching beneath the water and covered by the water. Or he might compare the present life upon earth to the forecourt, and the future blessedness to the heavenly sanctuary, which is still, as it were, concealed from us by a veil He has, however, combined the two figures. The soul, like a shipwrecked mariner, clings to an anchor, and sees not where the cable of the anchor runs to, where it is made fast; it knows, however, that it is firmly fixed behind the veil which conceals from it the future glory, and that if it only keeps fast hold of the anchor, it will, in due time, be drawn in with the anchor by a rescuing hand into the holiest of all." This hope enables the Christian in deep distress to say, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" (Psalms 42:11). And in wildest storms it inspires him to sing, "God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble," etc. (Psalms 46:1-3, Psalms 46:7).
"Hope, as an anchor firm and sure, holds fast
The Christian's vessel, and defies the blast."
(Cowper)
And thus "we are saved by hope."
III. THE ASSURED REALIZATION OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. Two things assure us of the fulfillment of our hope.
1. The character of the anchor and the anchorage. The anchor is "both sure and steadfast, and entering into that which is within the veil" (cf. Romans 5:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Timothy 1:1).
2. The presence of Jesus as our Forerunner in heaven. "Within the veil, whither as Forerunner on our behalf Jesus entered." The veil spoken of is that which divided the holy of holies from the holy place. "Within the veil" is a figurative expression for heaven. The presence of the Son of man in heaven is a guarantee of the realization of the hope of every believer in him. He entered heaven as our Representative, and "as a Forerunner on our behalf." "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you," etc. (John 14:2, John 14:3). Mark, then, the absolute necessity of vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ. One with him by faith here, we shall be one with him in blessedness hereafter. "Christ in you, the Hope of glory.... Your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory."—W.J.
HOMILIES BY C. NEW