By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
I will confess that Hebrews 13:7 is a verse that has challenged my life in many ways.
In fact, I could spend this day and several more just offering thoughts from what is there.
I WILL use it as the foundation for what I share today.
Ultimately, though, I really want to draw attention to verse 8.
However—let me start with what is written in verse 7:
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”
If you have been in the church long enough—you have observed ‘those people.’
These are the people who just seem to have a genuine faith.
They are vibrant and joyful.
They are passionate without being legalistic.
They study and know and apply God’s Word to life.
In short—they are people worth imitating.
Now, notice from verse 7 that the writer is not implying that they are perfect.
No matter how much someone grows—they WILL have weak spots upon which we can focus.
But the writer says—focus or imitate {mimic} their faith.
Look at how Jesus is lived out through their life and then let that come out through you too.
I have been blessed to have several people in my life who have modeled faith for me.
A Bible teacher who taught me how to love God’s Word.
A mentor who showed me how to serve.
A mother who prayed and demonstrated how to do that.
A family of siblings who loved Jesus and provided aspects of faith living through them.
There are so many others but each one provided something worth mimicking.
Now—here is the argument I have heard from people over the years:
“Well, it was so much easier for them to follow Jesus because times were simpler then.”
That is where verse 8 comes into play.
The writer says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Times change—but Jesus doesn’t.
Culture changes—but Jesus does not.
Each generation goes through things unheard of in the prior—but no matter what—Jesus.
Ultimately, those with genuine faith in each generation mimic what they see in Jesus.
And-that does not change which means desiring a faith lived out that is also worth following.