Hebrews 6:9-12 (NKJV) But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. [10] For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. [11] And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, [12] that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
V9 “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.” The writer doesn’t expect that his readers will produce thorns and briers but good fruit. It may be that he knows these people, but it is more likely that true believers rarely, very rarely fall away. Good works must accompany faith. See James 2:14-26. Faith is not just a word or assent but has an eternal complete change in the character of the person. No longer does sin dominate and control; now, it is righteousness (Romans 6:16-20).
V10 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” The writer reminds them that he is fully aware of their good works done with an attitude of love. Their first love is for God, then the fellow believers The works prove their changed hearts from a dead and sinful heart to a living and pure heart. This is the change that results from faith in the Lord Jesus and HIs grace given to us. Note, how God does not forget what we do. There are rewards. Temporary rewards include the joy of helping fellow believers, joy in sharing the Gospel, joy in answered intercessory prayers, joy that comes from glorifying God. All our work, whatever it is, should be a labor of love and to glorify God (Matthew 5:16).
V11 “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end…” The Greek word for “diligence” is (G4710) σπουδή spoudḗ, which means speed, fast and application of not hesitating to perform what we need to do. We must continue being diligent. Having a full assurance of hope is complete hope. It is the goal. I don’t know if anyone can attain that level, but it is the goal. To assist us we pray, we fellowship, we live the faith, we read and study the Bible, and we respond to God’s discipline when we drift. The end is both of our life and the end of the Church Age.
V12 “…that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We need to discipline ourselves otherwise we may think, “What’s the use. I have no results, so I’ll just quit.” But success is not numbers; it is faithfulness to our call. Consider how the Lord Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Personally, I think that sounds boring, but if my Lord does so, it gives me an incentive to continue.