• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Faith and patience..."

Text: Hebrews 6:12

OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES

There are numerous examples of people who have succeeded in their faith in God! The author of Hebrews sought to exhort his readers to emulate the examples of those who stood out.

“That you do not become sluggish,
but imitate those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises.”
Hebrews 6:12

1. Imitate

a) This word is used with no bad connotations whatsoever.

b) This word (“mimetai”) simply means “to mimic” or to “emulate”.

2. Those who through faith and patience

a) Faith (“pisteos”)

i) There must, of course, be the possession of genuine faith.

ii) There must also be the practice of that faith in life.

b) Patience (“makrothumia”)

i) The emphasis of this word is that of being “patient waiting on God”.

ii) This virtue was described by the apostle Paul as a fruit of the Spirit (Cf. Galatians 5:22).

3. Inherit the promises

a) The reference in this text would hark back to the Old Testament.

i) God made many promises to the children of Israel.

ii) These promises would be their inheritance.

b) However these promises would only be theirs if they were to

i) Exercise their faith

ii) Exercise patience while waiting for God to fulfil His promises.