Encouragement to Steadfastness from God’s Faithfulness to His Word and Oath CONTINUES. Heb. 6:9-12
“Which ye have showed”. Matt. 10:42; 25:35–40, Act. 2:44, 45; 4:34, 35; 9:36–39; 11:29, Rom. 12:13; 15:25–27, 1Cor. 16:1–3, 2Cor. 8:1–9; 9:1, 11–15, Gal. 6:10, Phi. 4:16–18, 1Tim. 6:18. This gives us the second feature of their love. It was not a secret and un-manifested love: but one that had been plainly evidenced in a practical way. In Jas. 2:18 the professor is challenged to “show” his faith… especially along the line of 1Jn. 5:2. “Which ye have showed toward His name,” The words last quoted have a threefold force. Objectively, because God’s name is upon His people Eph. 3:15. It is both blessed and solemn to know that whatever is done unto the people of God, whether it be good or evil, is done toward the name of Christ: Matthew 25:34–45. Formally: they ministered to the saints as the people of God. This it is which gives spiritual love its distinctive character: when it is exercised to souls because God’s name is on them. Efficiently: the “name of God” stands for His authority. God requires His people to love one another, and when they do so out of obedience to Him, it is, necessarily, done “toward His name”, having respect to His will. “In that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister”. This tells us, fourth, the way their love had been exercised: in an untiring service. Fifth, it announces, the objects of their love, God’s “saints.” Many of God’s people are in various kinds of temporal distress, and one reason why their loving Father permits this is, that their brethren and sisters in Christ may have the holy privilege of ministering to them: see Rom. 15:25–27, 2Cor. 8:21, 9:11–15. But let such ministry be rendered not from sentimental considerations, nor to satisfy an uneasy conscience, still less with the object of vain glory, to gain a reputation for benevolence; rather let it be “shown toward His name”. Pink Arthur W.
“But we desire”. Rom. 12:8, 11, 1Cor. 15:58, Gal. 6:9, Phi. 1:9–11; 3:15, 1Thess. 4:10. 2Thess. 3:13, 2Pet. 1:5–8; 3:14. The word “desire” here signifies an intense longing; without this, preaching is cold, formal, lifeless. “That every one of you”: the loving care and untiring efforts of the minister should be extended to all the members of his flock. The oldest, as much as the youngest, needs constant exhortation. Col. 2:2, 1Thess. 1:5, 2Pet. 1:10, 1Jn. 3:14, 19. of hope ver. 18–20. Ro. 5:2–5; 8:24, 25; 12:12; 15:13. 1 Co. 13:13. Ga. 5:5. Col. 1:5, 23. 2Thess. 2:16, 17, 1Pe. 1:3–5, 21, 1Jn. 3:1–3 unto the end. ch. 3:6, 14; 10:32–35, Matt. 24:13, Rev. 2:26. “Do show the same diligence … unto the end”. Unless this be done, our profession will not be preserved, nor God glorified. Paul knew nothing of that half-heartedness and sluggish neglect of the means of grace which today satisfies the generality of those bearing the name of Christ. “Give thyself wholly to them” 1Tim. 4:15. This “diligence” is to be shown “to the full assurance of hope”. Full assurance here signifies a firm conviction or positive persuasion. “Full assurance of hope” signifies a steady prevailing persuasion, a persuasion which issues from faith in the promises made concerning “good things to come”. To cherish a hope of Heaven while I am living to please self is wicked presumption. No spiritual state is attainable in this life, where “reaching forth unto those things which are before” Phil. 3:13 becomes unnecessary.” Pink Arthur W
