In Hebrews 10, it says that the church joyfully accepted presecution, including the plundering of their goods and at one point. Their hardships didn’t stop them from producing the fruits of the Spirit and being compassionate to others.
“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.” Hebrews 10:32-34
The church’s response to their trials is confusing at first. Didn’t the church members have a right to their property? Why would they accept it if their goods were plundered? And why does the author of Hebrews seem to think this was a good thing?
The author answers this later in the sentence: “you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.” Because the church knew that they had an eternal reward from Jesus, they didn’t value their property in this world as much as they would otherwise. The author of Hebrews wasn’t praising the fact that they accepted their plundering, but the fact that they were eternally focused.
Today, we are very protective of our rights—and I think that’s a good thing. By standing up for our personal rights, we are protecting everyone’s rights. When people protest, they usually don’t only say, “I deserve this right,” they say, “Everyone deserves to have this right.”
There are people who cannot stand up for their rights; for example, the unborn. When we stand up for our and others’ rights, we are protecting those who cannot protect themselves. However, sometimes I think our society has become entitled. We tend to think we deserve a lot when in reality, humans deserve death.
Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Human sin has separated us from God. He is holy and we are not, and God cannot be around unholy people. The greatest punishment of Hell is eternal separation from God. Apart from God, there is no peace, joy, or kindness. There is only selfishness, sin, and death.
Thankfully, Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for our sin and made us righteous before God. If we believe in Christ, we have eternal life with God despite our failure, weakness, and disobedience. But if we do not know Jesus, we are headed for eternal death in Hell—and a death that we deserve, too.
Even though I know that I am not deserving of anything more than death, I still tend to feel entitled. I think things like,
“Why is my family being so noisy downstairs? I’m trying to sleep.”
“Why doesn’t my brother help me out? I’m nice to him.”
“Why don’t my classmates pay attention to my ideas? I’d have something to contribute if they would actually listen!”
All of these are thoughts that have run through my mind in some shape or form. When I think these things, I think I deserve something, whether that be help from my brother, respect from my peers, or something less important. And though those things aren’t huge favors to ask, I shouldn’t be putting myself first. If I value my family, brother, and classmates’ needs and happiness above my own, I wouldn’t be so upset when they violate my so-called rights.
I forget that I already have what I need. I already have the greatest gift—all Christians do. We have been promised eternal life in Heaven with Jesus. We have been told that God’s very Spirit will live in us and direct us. He will fill us with joy, peace, patience, and more.
What Jesus gives us is greater than anything we could acquire on Earth. He is the Living Water and can satisfy our heart’s desires. Why would we care so much about others treating us the right way if we have so much already; if Jesus tells us that people won’t treat us well, but we will be rewarded for following Him? Why would we need luxuries like a big house, fancy electronics, or something of the like when we could build up eternal treasure in Heaven instead?
Mathew 6:19-21 says, “‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We can build up eternal treasure by giving away money, not hoarding it. We should put others first, instead of being self-seeking. We should do what is right instead of what is practical. We do all of those things because we love Jesus and want to please Him.
We could have all of our rights and still be unhappy because we don’t know the source of life. If you want joy and peace, look to Christ.
Humans naturally want to be rewarded right here and now. Don’t you think everyone would become a Christian if we were sanctified immediately? If we immediately became perfect and were swept up to Heaven for a blissful eternity?
But sanctification is a process—instead of becoming perfect immediately, we will fail many times and learn to lean on Jesus. We will have to wait for the second coming and suffer on this broken Earth until then. We will not be rewarded right here and right now.
But think of the people described in Hebrews. Could we be like them? Grateful even when it doesn’t seem like there’s anything to be grateful for. Joyful even when nothing comes to us but heartache. Patient even when people hurt us.
Those are all attributes that Jesus showed. He was grateful even when he went through hardship, joyful even though he was hated, and patient even with sinners. Could we be like Him, the lamb?
“Why don’t my classmates pay attention to my ideas? I’d have something to contribute if they would actually listen!”
*laughs nervously* Yep, I feel called out. It's pride that doesn't feel like pride—but it's pride anyway, and I don't deserve to be listened to. Thank you for the reminder.