a strong finish

A STRONG FINISH

 

Show this same diligence to the very end. (Hebrews 6:11)

 

No matter how rich the soil, how diligent the farmer, how good the seed—a farmer's toil is in vain if the land does not have the blessing of rain. But what if the land had everything it needed to produce a bountiful harvest and still didn't produce a crop? The land would become worthless, return to thorns and thistles, and Hebrews 6:8 says, “In the end it will be burned.”

The rain in the short parable of Hebrews 6:7–8 is symbolic of God's grace. We, the land, are the benefactors of God's grace. As such, we should yield fruit, that is, the “things that accompany salvation” (verse 9). If we don't, we are like soil that has everything it needs to produce a crop and yet fails to.

Having received the blessing of God's grace, the writer of Hebrews urged believers to continue on in verse 11: “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure.” Regardless of how faithful our Christian walk is in the beginning, and in spite of our good work and the help we have been to God's people, ultimately, faith that doesn't continue to the very end is of little value.

 

—Joann Eastburn

 

Be determined to yield good fruit and persevere to receive your heavenly reward.