From Fading Faith to Fresh Faithfulness

There are moments in life when we feel like giving up—when the weight of trials, disappointments, and spiritual exhaustion makes us wonder if continuing in faith is even worth it. The early Hebrew believers felt this same pressure. Persecution, suffering, and hardship tempted them to walk away from Jesus, questioning if their faith was strong enough to endure. The writer of Hebrews speaks directly to this struggle, urging them—and us—not to give up, but to hold onto faith with endurance. Faith isn’t just about belief; it’s about steadfast faithfulness, even when circumstances make us want to quit.

Hebrews 10:26-39 presents both a sobering warning and an encouraging promise. The passage reminds us that rejecting the Gospel after receiving its truth has severe consequences. There is no other sacrifice for sin apart from Jesus. Yet, the emphasis here is not on fear but on perseverance. The writer calls believers to remember their past faithfulness and the strength they once had in the face of suffering. Faithfulness in the midst of trials is not just possible—it’s essential.

So how do we keep our faith from fading when life gets hard? First, we must freshen up our faith. When we first came to know Jesus, our faith was fresh and vibrant. We listened eagerly to His Word, obeyed quickly, and shared our excitement with others. Over time, trials and distractions can cause that passion to fade. The call of Hebrews 10 is to rekindle that fire—to go back to the posture of faith that says, “God, whatever You say, I will do.” One way to do this is by engaging with Scripture in a fresh way, practicing new spiritual disciplines, and stepping out in obedience immediately when God speaks.

Second, we must preview our prize. The believers in Hebrews endured suffering, imprisonment, and loss of possessions, yet they accepted it with joy because they knew something greater was coming. They understood that the reward of faithfulness is far greater than any temporary hardship. When we fix our eyes on eternity—on the promises of God that await us—we find the strength to keep going. The struggles we face today are real, but they are not permanent. Patient endurance leads to an eternal reward that far outweighs any difficulty.

The Christian life is not a call to comfort; it is a call to endurance. Following Jesus means standing firm when culture pushes back, remaining faithful when trials press in, and trusting God when we can’t yet see the outcome. Faith in theory may seem appealing, but faithfulness in practice is what truly matters. If we only follow Jesus when it’s easy, our faith will never mature. But when we choose to remain steadfast, even in hardship, we will experience God’s faithfulness in ways we never imagined.

So today, we have a choice: Will we allow our faith to fade, or will we fight for fresh faithfulness? God is calling us to a deeper commitment, to renew our trust in Him, and to hold on to the promise that what He has prepared for us is worth every moment of struggle. Don’t give up. Keep believing, keep following, and keep trusting. Faithfulness leads to reward—and on the other side of endurance, we will see the goodness of God in ways we never expected.

​- Adapted from the sermon preached across our 3 campuses on 3/7/25.