We’ve been talking about being God’s house. Hebrews 3:6 says: “we are [God’s] house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”

So yes, we are God’s house—but if we “hold firmly” to our confidence and hope in Jesus.

Are you holding firmly to that confidence and hope? Or are you holding it sloppily or haphazardly… which isn’t really holding it at all.

When I was in public school we made up a game for recess called “Footoccer.” I know, creative name, right? As you can clearly see, it was a combination of football and soccer. You can throw, pass, kick or carry the soccer ball down the field trying to get it over the goal line.

One of my schoolmates was really, really good at it. When he got the ball he held firmly to it like no one else could. He could get body-checked by someone bigger than him, or even fall over, and still not lose his grip on that ball.

I think that’s a helpful image for how we should hold firmly to our confidence and hope in Jesus.

‘But Matthew,’ you protest, ‘no one is trying to knock our Christian confidence and hope from our hands.’ Um, yes there is. Haven’t you been paying attention?

Hold firmly. Pray. Learn. Study. Put into practice. Build each other up. Put on the armour of God.

Like my exceptionally strong Footoccer friend, you’ll cross the victory line and be found faithful.

Hold firm.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.