We go on to Hebrews 6:7-12

v7: Drinks in the rain: The context here is that in the same way the land receives the rain that falls upon it, and produces useful vegetation, so too those who receive the gospel should bear good fruit. Rain falls and vegetation comes up. No rain – no vegetation. It is a law of nature. The potential for fruitfulness is there, but there is still a work to be done in order to maximise fruitfulness. There is a need for pruning, looking after and eventually harvesting the fruit. Likewise, when true believers receive the gospel, they will bear fruit and receive the blessings from G-d.

• Cultivated: Although the gospel has been received there is still a need to ‘work the land’. In order for our salvation to bear fruit there is a work that needs to be done (1 Tim 4:9-10)

v8: Bears thorns and thistles: True believers will produce useful things in their lives; fruit. However, if someone paid only lip service to the gospel, without truly believing in their heart, the outcome of this will be “worthless vegetation”, thorns and thistles. 

• It is rejected:  Those things, like thorns and thistles, are rejected by G-d and are worthless. 
• Near to being cursed: Near, but not yet condemned or cursed. These people still have an opportunity to repent and produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt 3:8). They are near to G-d’s wrath, and consuming power, to destroy them eternally, but they are not there yet. There is still hope! Even though this individual has nothing to show for their life (it is empty and devoid of those things which are pleasing to G-d, no good works), and are near to being cursed by G-d, there is still hope for them. If the ‘fruit’ in someone’s life is that of thorns and thistles the question needs to be asked if they have been truly saved. If these ones still have hope for repentance, as this verse reveals, then they would not have lost their salvation (How can you lose something you never had?). If they had lost their salvation, they would find themselves in a situation without hope (see Heb 6:6). 

v9: But: The writer is now going to say something very different to what he has just said.

• Beloved: Those who are recipients of the love of G-d. There is only One source where you can find the love of G-d – through Messiah. 
• Better things concerning you: He has just spoken in the previous verses of two possibilities:

1. A person is going to experience the curse of G-d eternally

Or        2. They are going to experience salvation. 

He is trusting or convinced that they will choose the second option. 

v10: G-d is not unjust to forget: When Messiah comes back He is going to render to each person according to his deeds (Rom 2:6, Rev 20:13).

• Work and labor of love: The writer is convinced of better things (salvation) for these people that he is writing to. There is evidence of Messiah, and therefore good fruit, in their lives. When the Holy Spirit (who is often personified as living water, to use the rain analogy from above) enters into a person, there is going to be a harvest/fruit/good works. When we have experienced the love of G-d – which enters through the gospel- it causes us to demonstrate love. The fact that G-d first loved us gives us the ability to love others. We do not love them because they deserve it or have earned it but because love is one of the fruits of our new nature. 
• Shown toward His name: Name is synonymous with character. The love of G-d is His chief characteristic trait (it is because He loves righteousness that He judges sin). We are going to do good works because we want to manifest His name/character – loving others being one of the chief characteristics. Spiritual growth is about His character becoming our character. As His character becomes our character it is going to manifest itself in ministry. 

v11: Full assurance: This means all wisdom and all fullness (full wisdom). When we have spiritual wisdom and understand the things of G-d in a complete way we are going to be assured of that hope/eternal life/salvation. 

• Until the end: We need to maintain this assurance – until the Kingdom. We are not going to waiver, or have doubt, but are going to have full assurance until the very end. 

v12: Sluggish (slothful): When we lack assurance, not really believing in the promises of G-d, or are not Kingdom minded, we are going to be slothful/lazy. Serving G-d has eternal significance, we should not be lazy in our service to Him. 

• Patience: Also called perseverance. This is having the ability to suffer long. 
• Inherit the promises: There is a relationship here between hope and promise. Biblical hope is based on the promises of G-d – what He has written down and given to us by way of a covenantal agreement. We can be assured/confident in these things because G-d has sealed them to us as promises wrapped up within a covenant. And G-d keeps His covenantal promises. That is why we keep seeing Jewish people going back to the land. The land is part of His covenantal purposes, and so are the people. Our rebelliousness does not terminate the covenant. There will be a remnant because of the faithfulness of G-d.