Heb 6:7-12 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” – Part 2

[Study Aired September 24, 2020]

Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 
Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 
Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 
Heb 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 
Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Our last study was centered around “leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ” and how by doing that, “if God permit”, our vision will increase as a result of going on to maturity as we’re given increase that comes from God (1Co 3:6).

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

God nourishes us and receives us through our trials (Heb 12:6) so that we can become stablished, strengthened and settled (1Pe 5:10) and with that mature mind of Christ which has been enduring trials, our faith is purified (1Pe 1:7). We are provided the vision we will need to endure until the end as we continue to be diligently about our Father’s business (Rom 6:11, Gal 2:20, Php 4:13, Mat 24:13, Luk 2:49).

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

This section of Hebrews we are looking at tonight is one that admonishes us to continue to be diligent in ministering to the saints, everyone showing the “same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end“. Christ is our hope of glory within and the reason we can endure until the end (Col 1:27), and we can be assured that through Christ we will “be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises“. We will be faithful because Christ won’t deny Himself and will finish the work of faith which has been started in us (Mat 24:45-47, 2Ti 2:13, Php 1:6).

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Tonight we will look at how God promises to make spiritual provision for those who are called and chosen in this life and predestined to endure until the end and how, like Christ (1Jn 4:17), the remnant are a peculiar people (1Pe 2:9) who are constantly about our Father’s business and blessed to be enjoying spiritual meat that the world knows “not of” (Joh 6:27, Luk 2:49, Joh 4:32, Isa 3:1).

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed [Rom 11:5, Rom 9:27].

Joh 4:32  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Conversely, we will see the sacrifice others make for us in their unbelief by not being allowed in this age to partake of the altar which God has prepared for the elect. The altar is the cross we bear for each other by the grace and faith of Christ (Eph 2:8) in our diligent service of laying up a good foundation of works; “a good foundation against the time to come” that will reassure us in our hearts (Heb 13:10, Rom 12:1, 1Ti 6:18-19).

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

The unbelieving life demonstrates where ours would be in regard to having no stay of spiritual bread or water and except for the grace and faith of Christ. We would grow impatient and beat the manservant and declare that our Lord delays His coming, which impatience is going to manifest more and more as we near the end of the age (Mat 24:48-50, 2Ti 3:2-9 contrasted with 2Ti 3:10 that speaks of the patience and faith of Hebrews 6:12).

Mat 24:48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

2Ti 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God is the One who determines when and at what rate we will grow spiritually, which is contrary to the way our natural mind works as we see ourselves as the ones who should be able to bring about that increase through our own efforts (Jas 2:20, Php 2:12-13, Php 2:17-18). In type and shadow (1Co 10:11) we see the works of Abraham, who represents the Father in this instance, who offers up his son “upon the altar”, and we are shown by that one question in James 2:21 who it is and how it is “at that day” (Joh 14:20) that we also can be offered up “upon the altar” which is the cross.

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Php 2:17  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Php 2:18  For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I [Isaac of James 2:21] am in my Father [Abraham of James 2:21], and ye in me, and I in you [Php 2:13].

It takes the miracle of coming to see the man of perdition sitting on our own hearts in order to begin to grow in the mind of Christ through that man of sin’s destruction and Christ increasing within us (2Th 2:4, Joh 3:30). That process of spiritually maturing and overcoming is given to very few in this life (Mat 22:14) and comes about as a result of being bound to the altar (Psa 118:27, Joh 6:44) where we lay our lives down and die daily so we can be fed spiritually (Gen 2:17, Gen 3:4, Joh 21:18-19).

2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity (Isa 64:6, Psa 8:4, Php 3:9) doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Joh 21:18  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not [Psa 118:27, Joh 6:44].
Joh 21:19  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

If the son of God sets us free from sin, we will be free indeed (Joh 8:36, Rom 6:22, 1Pe 2:12) and we will learn that our sins, including our own righteousnesses which are iniquity (Isa 64:6), were ordained and caused of God who determined the time when “he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” by “the brightness of his coming” (2Th 2:7-8).

It is the devil who is taken out of the way who had sway over our carnal minds (1Jn 3:8), and it is Christ who destroys his influence in our heavens giving us a mind of soundness, power and love (2Ti 1:7, Rom 5:5) that can in time bring all thoughts into subjection unto God (2Co 10:5, Joh 5:30) as we grow in grace and knowledge “of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18) and learn to give all glory to God for both the light and the darkness, the good and the evil that He created and manifests in battles that take place in our heavens (Isa 45:7, Eph 6:12) for His divine purpose of fashioning “a new creature” (Jer 18:6, 2Co 5:17, Rom 9:18-21, Rom 9:11).

1Jn 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

We are called to fight a good fight of faith (1Ti 6:12) so that we can maintain spiritual vision throughout this life, and in this section of Hebrews we can be greatly encouraged to learn that these words: “beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak” apply to those whom God has purposed to have that vision and desire to overcome by being given a hunger and thirst for righteousness that is satisfied through Christ and His body as each joint supplies what we need to grow and mature (Mat 12:1, Mat 5:6, Eph 4:16).

1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Mat 12:1  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 
Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

It is a blessing to receive the word in a good and honest heart and then through patient continuance in well doing, to bring forth much fruit; and this is what we will do if God will permit as we continue to examine ourselves and prove our ownselves whether we be in the faith (Luk 8:15, 2Co 13:5, Heb 5:12).

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

In Hebrews 6:7 God shows us that He causes the rain, which is His word, to fall on the good and the evil within us in the day of evil he created within us (Mat 5:45, Pro 16:1-11) and it is “meet^G2111 for them by whom it is dressed“. The Strong’s number for the word translated “meet” is only used once in the KJV bible and means “well placed”. Many are called and few are chosen to the well-placed well of life Christ is to us, and not all who are drawn to that well will necessarily continue to have a desire to stay (Joh 4:10, Joh 8:31-36, Joh 6:67, 2Ti 4:10).

G2111
εὔθετος  euthetos
yoo’-thet-os

From G2095 and a derivative of G5087; well placed, that is, (figuratively) appropriate: – fit, meet.

We are able to “receiveth blessing from God” and if it is not written in our book to continue in the truth, we will not go beyond “the first principles of the oracles of God” (Heb 5:12), and the “herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed” is synonymous with those first principles that, if we continue in them, will “perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” of 1 Peter 5:10).

Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

God does not give vision to those who say they see (Joh 9:39-41) as babes often do, but rather the physician (Mar 2:17) works with the one whom he grants to be dragged to Christ (Joh 6:44) so that they can see their continual need to grow in grace and in knowledge of Christ as we, Lord willing, continue to go beyond “the principles of the doctrine of Christ”…”leaving” them (Heb 6:1-6) so we can be blessed in this life to go on to perfection on the third day (Luk 13:32) and be able to come up on mount Zion as one who is ready to rule and reign under Christ as a saviour (Oba 1:21).

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Joh 9:40  And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Joh 9:41  Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Mar 2:17  When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.

On the other hand, if I receive those living waters and am not granted to continue in them, the end result will be”But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned“. This statement represents those “it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb 6:4-6). It is impossible in this age, but the “whose end is to be burned” represents the lake of fire when that word of God within will be judged and not return void unto God (Joh 12:48, Isa 55:11).

Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

We are beloved because God has blessed us to be His sons in this age (1Jn 3:1) being the first to trust in the living God (Eph 1:12). Trust can only be formed through trials and much tribulation (Act 14:22, 2Co 1:9) as we are granted to die daily and learn obedience by the things that we suffer in this life, being judged by our Lord (1Co 15:31, Heb 5:8-9, 1Pe 4:17).

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew not.

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

2Co 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Co 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

We are “persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation” is stated right after these two groups are compared in Hebrews 6:7-8 and “though we thus speak” it is necessary to say to show us the contrast, the severity and goodness of God spoken of in Romans 11:20-22.

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

The “things that accompany salvation” are then elaborated on in Hebrews 6:10-12 along with our need “through faith and patience” to “inherit the promises“.

Heb 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 
Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

What God creates as the Master Potter whose workmanship we are (Eph 2:10) is not dependant upon what we bring to the altar, because we bring nothing, and to think otherwise is to be in a highminded state (Rom 11:20, Luk 17:10).

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

God has put the desire in our hearts to hunger and thirst for righteousness and to provoke one another unto love and good works (Mat 5:6, Heb 10:24-25), and so everything we read in these verses we’re examining in Hebrews 6:11-12 is an admonition for us that, God willing, will be read and heard and kept (Rev 1:3) “through faith and patience” which is a gift from God. To think otherwise is to “err” to not know that He has (1Jn 5:4, Eph 2:8, Jas 1:16-17) given these things to us freely so that we might “inherit the promises” (Mat 10:8). God gives us these things freely and sends us to heal others as we are healed with His word (Joh 20:21, Psa 107:20).

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Jas 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Every tree is known by its fruit, Christ tells us (Luk 6:44), and fruit being born in God’s elect is described in Hebrews 6:10 as a “work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name [Rev 1:3], in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister“.

The “we” of Hebrews 6:11, although specifically is speaking of those in positions of leadership in the church, means all of us with the mind of Christ: “we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” knowing that not being “slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience“, we can maintain the vision God is giving us through this life that will keep us rejoicing in the Lord, and again I say rejoice (Pro 29:18, Php 4:4) having been called unto this blessing to “inherit the promises” (1Pe 3:9).

Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

How encouraging to know that “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister“, and this promise reassures us that we can know that our labor and diligent search is not in vain (1Co 15:58, Heb 11:6). So, because we know that, we ought to “shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” not being “slothful“, but rather “through faith and patience” work together as one body with many members, as one bread with the same spirit (Rom 12:4-5, 1Co 10:17) who are working toward the same goal of inheriting “the promises” (Php 3:13-14).

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.