Hebrews 10:35-39

Hebrews 10:35-39
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

 In the time of the book of Hebrews, there was a real movement of people who had converted to Christianity but were then leaving the faith for one reason or another.  One reason is that persecution was real -- and often deadly.  People were deciding that Christianity wasn't worth their lives, and while they heard talk of the promises, they weren't seeing enough benefit to put their lives on the line, so they chose an easier route, one that might not cost them their lives.  Others had different reasons -- I'm sure some joined because it was new, but after a while, the newness wore off and they moved on to something more exciting.
  It's not easy to be a Christian.  We've been waiting a long time to see the fulfillment of God's ultimate promises, and we only discover the truth of them on the other side of death.  In the meantime, we are called to be obedient, to be loving, to be faithful, to have hope.  It's not easy to hold onto all these things while we're busy questioning whether this faith is really grounded in reality, and the tumult it can cause inside us offers the temptation to set down our faith and find something easier.
  But Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and he has promised that all who endure shall follow him.  This fact trumps all, and so while we are encouraged to ask questions, we are also strengthened to press on, to live together and wrestle with tough questions, but to remain faithful, believing that even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary at times, the Gospel is true and that the love of God shall trump all, and in Christ we shall triumph over despair and hope.  This is the promise to all who endure.