LABOR TO TOLERATE
“And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation.” Hebrews 13:22
There is no doubt we are living in the last days. Jesus Christ’s return is expected at any moment. Though our hearts flutter at the glorious thought of the appearing of our Savior, let us not forget or neglect the word He gave us.
We have warning in Scripture there will come a time when men will not endure sound doctrine. In other words, they will not tolerate the “word of exhortation”.
The “word of exhortation” could be described in the words of Matthew Henry to be “preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose.” When we are not searched and changed by the hearing of God’s Word, we may not be enduring sound doctrine.
Jesus warned of a group of people in Luke 13. He called this group of people “workers of iniquity”. They were individuals who claimed they had “eaten and drunk” in the presence of Jesus and Jesus had “taught in our streets”. The verdict of Jesus for their eternal destiny was, “I know you not . . . depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity”.
Let us hear the word of God and heed the warning of Scripture. Let us strive to enter at the narrow gate. Let us be some of the few there be that find it.
Workers of iniquity have some characteristics we should avoid. These are provided in various places in scripture. The specific aspects of their nature and character stated here is not exhaustive.
Workers of iniquity stand not in the sight of God, they call not upon the Lord, they have hearts of deception, they boast in themselves, they turn aside to crooked ways, and their end is destruction.
As we labor to tolerate sound doctrine and the word of exhortation, let us not be workers of iniquity. Instead let us have characteristics opposite of them. Let us delight in the laws and ways of God, have clean hands and a pure heart before Him, boast in Christ Jesus and His righteousness, walk blameless in uprightness of heart before God, and let our end result be eternal life.
The wages of the workers of iniquity is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May we not be in God’s presence, let us be transformed day by day as we labor to tolerate the word of exhortation.
Additional Thoughts
“The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 10:29
“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18
Written By: Anne Gurley
