Recall the Former Days

“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, [33] sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. [34] For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. [35] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:32-36 (ESV)
It so often happens that the wheat comes up fast and shows much promise early in the spring, and then withers in the sun. How often is it that people start coming to church and do so regularly, promising with Peter to be faithful to the end, and then with Peter fleeing for their life, and denying Christ, if not with their words then with their actions. The author of Hebrews would call such people back to the fire they once had within them. Recall the former days. It seems already by 68 A.D. there was a problem with church attendance. Today about a third of a church’s roster will show up on any given Sunday. This passage makes me thing that is not such a new problem.