Friday April 20, 2018

 

We live in a world that persistently wants to change everything about us, from     our values and beliefs to what we wear and how we live our lives. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of those who are attempting to live out their Christian values. This is nothing new. The world has always been this way and unless we learn how to anchor our lives, we will soon discover that all of our knowledge and commitment are not enough to keep us anchored.

 

Roughly two thousand years ago, the author of the Book of Hebrews wrote a letter to a group of Jewish men and women who were paying a hefty price socially, financially, politically, and religiously for having chosen to become followers of Jesus. Due to the relentless cultural pressure they were experiencing, many drifted from their faith. For this reason, the author of the Book of Hebrews wrote to them to encourage and teach them how to remain anchored under the heavy forces of the currents.

 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV

 

Encouragement

 

The author of Hebrews begins by reminding the followers that Jesus, that He who promised, is faithful and could be trusted in spite of their adversities. After all, just a few years earlier, Jesus was crucified; He promised that He would resurrect in three days, and He did. Faithful to His word He did the impossible. The point the author is making is that if Jesus was able to fulfill that promise, we can surely trust Him to fulfill our hopes.

 

Teaching Them to Remain

 

The author understood that the troubles these people were facing would not get resolved through greater knowledge or commitment. Instead, they would find success by continually gathering with other believers. One of the most effective ways to remain anchored is to join a small group, which is a group of believers that gathers to encourage one another. Take notice that the author does not tell them that they should gather to praise, pray, or to learn. Instead they are to gather so that they can mutually encourage one another. Then in the context of mutual encouragement can we praise, pray, and learn.

 

Casa de Alabanza constantly encourages its congregants to join one of its small groups or community groups. The reason for this is because in these groups people find and build up the courage to remain anchored to their values and beliefs.