Learning Grit & Resolve from the Christian Leaders Who Came Before Us
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 27
- 11 min read
Hebrews Chapter 13, verse 7.
The Main Message: Learn from the people who first brought us the Good News. It's not about what they said, but how they lived. They faced hardship but stayed true to Jesus, proving their faith was real. We're called to learn from their grit and faithfulness, so we can face our own challenges with the same character, no matter what happens.
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Beyond the Page: Living Legends of the Early Church
It was a world without podcasts, social media, or even a printed Bible. The faith of the early church wasn't spread by celebrity pastors but by ordinary people with extraordinary commitment. Imagine the original readers of the book of Hebrews, huddled in a small house church, perhaps in a city like Rome or Ephesus. They were weary from persecution and the subtle pressures of a pagan society. They remembered their former leaders—the ones who first told them about Jesus.
These weren't just names in a history book; they were living legends whose stories were passed down by word of mouth. They were people like the Apostle Peter, who, according to tradition, was crucified upside down, declaring himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Or Paul, who endured beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment, only to be executed by beheading outside of Rome. Their lives were a testament to the gospel they preached, and their deaths were the ultimate confirmation of their faith.
The author of Hebrews isn't calling his readers to seek a martyr's end. Instead, he's challenging them to lift their eyes and hearts away from their discouraging circumstances and to truly contemplate what kind of faith, character, and commitment to Jesus it must have taken to remain faithful even to those ends. He's holding up these leaders not as idols to be worshipped, but as tangible examples of an all-in, no-matter-what kind of faith in Jesus. The goal is for the readers to study and be inspired by the resolve and character of those who brought them the Word, so that they can mimic that same faithfulness in their own lives, regardless of whether their circumstances change or not.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 13, verse 7 in a couple of different translations.
Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
From Discouragement to Imitation
Hebrews 13:7, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith," isn't just a friendly suggestion; it's a vital instruction. The word "remember" here, from the Greek mnēmoneuō, isn't a passive recall. It's an active, present-tense command to keep their memory alive and to actively honor them. The first readers of this letter were grappling with a post-Apostolic world. Their original leaders, the ones who first shared the gospel with them, were either gone through martyrdom, natural death, or simply moving on. The author's motivation here is to help a weary and discouraged church. These Christians were likely focusing far too much on their current circumstances: the hardships, the persecution, and the pressures to abandon their faith. The author is calling them to redirect their focus from their difficult situations to the faithful lives of those who came before them.
N.T. Wright points out in Hebrews for Everyone that this verse is a call to look back at these spiritual pioneers and not just recall what they said, but how they lived. He emphasizes that the "outcome" (ekbasis) of their way of life is the key. It's not about the smooth parts, but the whole journey—their faithfulness through persecution, suffering, and trials. The author is urging the readers to observe the entire picture of these leaders' lives, noting how they persevered and remained faithful to the very end.
This passage is also a powerful reminder that Christianity is not just a set of abstract beliefs but a lived reality, embodied in real people. Craig S. Keener, in his commentary, highlights the importance of oral tradition in the early church. The original hearers would have been familiar with stories of these leaders—the ones who planted their churches and taught them the fundamentals of the faith. These were not mythical figures but real people who had faced real struggles. The phrase "imitate their faith" (mimeisthe ten pistin), from which we get the word "mimic," is a call to replicate their trust and steadfastness in God, not to copy their personality or their ministry style.
This is the author's solution to their discouragement: by imitating the faithful character and attitudes of their leaders, they can transform their own inner lives without their external circumstances changing.
Brad Gray from www.Walkingthetext.com adds that this "imitation" is about their faithfulness in the face of pressure. It’s not about putting these leaders on a pedestal as perfect beings, but about honoring their unwavering trust in God through all circumstances, especially in times of intense persecution. The original readers of this letter were facing similar trials, and the author points to the lives of their former leaders as tangible proof that enduring faith is possible.
A Rabbit Trail: The Faith of Ole Kirk Christiansen
The life of Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of LEGO, is a profound example of the kind of faith and perseverance mentioned in Hebrews 13:7. While his name may not be as famous as the company he built, his story is a testament to unwavering trust in God through immense hardship.
Christiansen's journey began with a series of devastating losses. As a carpenter in the 1920s, he faced the Great Depression, which crippled his business and forced him to lay off his workers. Shortly after, his first wife passed away, leaving him to care for four young sons. The true test of his faith came when his workshop, the very source of his livelihood, burned to the ground—not once, but twice. The first fire, in 1924, was caused by his sons. While a devastating blow, he saw it as an opportunity to build a bigger workshop. The second fire, in 1942, was even more catastrophic.
Drawing from the book 5 Mere Christians, Christiansen’s response to these trials wasn't one of despair but of deep, abiding faith. He believed that everything, even tragedy, was in God’s hands. His unwavering trust in God gave him the strength to rebuild each time. This wasn't a passive faith; it was an active one that motivated him to continue working with excellence, even when he was forced to pivot his business from making furniture to selling simple wooden toys to survive.
His Christian faith was also the source of his famous company motto, "Only the best is good enough." Christiansen saw his work not just as a business, but as a calling from God. He believed that he was created to be a creator, and that the quality of his work was a form of worship. This conviction led him to transition from wood to plastic, a risky and costly move that ultimately paved the way for the LEGO brick.
This commitment to faithfulness in both prosperity and hardship is what makes Christiansen's life such a powerful parallel to Hebrews 13:7. He didn't just talk about his faith; he lived it out in the face of immense pressure and loss. He showed, through the "outcome of his way of life," that a person's faith can endure through fire, financial ruin, and personal tragedy. He is a testament to how God can use a faithful Christian to build a legacy far greater than they could ever imagine.
If you want to be inspired by stories of incredible faithfulness, consider adding the book 5 Mere Christians to your reading list. It’s filled with stories of people like Christiansen whose lives model perseverance and a faith that is unshakeable, whether their circumstances change or not. Their real-life examples will not only inspire you but also give you a tangible model of what it means to live out your Christian faith to the very end.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on & discuss
Who are the "leaders" in your life who have profoundly influenced your faith? How have you considered the "outcome of their way of life"?
Thinking about the phrase "imitate their faith," what specifically does that mean for you in your daily life? How can you apply the principles of their faithfulness in your current circumstances?
How does remembering the faith of those who have gone before us give you hope and courage in your own Christian walk?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
This passage calls us to honor our spiritual ancestors. Let's take a moment to reflect on a specific leader or mentor who has impacted us. Share a story about a time when you saw their faith in action, and describe how that example helped you to grow in your own faith.
Applying This Today
Sometimes it's easier to read about the "greats" of the faith—the apostles, the martyrs, the missionaries—than it is to know how to apply their examples to our own lives. We can feel a disconnect between their monumental acts of faith and our daily challenges. We wonder, "How can I, a person with a normal life, possibly imitate the kind of faith that leads to a martyr's death?"
The good news is, the call in Hebrews 13:7 is more practical than you might think. It's not about becoming a carbon copy of someone else, but about learning how to live an "all-in" faith from the people who have gone before us. This passage gives us a simple, three-step process to put this into practice, turning the awe we feel for our spiritual heroes into tangible growth in our own lives. Let's break down these steps and see how they can transform our journey.
1. Remember Your Leaders
This isn't about simply recalling a name; it's about actively honoring and learning from them. In a digital age, this can be challenging, but it's essential for our spiritual growth.
Make a List: Take a moment to write down the names of people who have significantly impacted your faith journey. This could be a parent, a Sunday school teacher, a youth pastor, a small group leader, or even a public figure whose ministry has shaped you. Acknowledge their role in your life.
Share Their Story: In conversation with others, share how these individuals impacted you. By doing so, you are actively "remembering" them and keeping their legacy of faithfulness alive. For example, you might say, "I learned the importance of consistent prayer from my grandmother; she always had a prayer journal open on her kitchen table."
Honor and Thank Them: If the person is still alive, send them a note, an email, or even make a phone call to thank them for their influence. This simple act of gratitude honors their contribution and encourages them in their own journey.
2. Consider the Outcome of Their Lives
This is the most critical step. It involves looking beyond a person's words or a single sermon and examining the totality of their life—their triumphs, their failures, and their endurance. The goal is to see how their faithfulness bore fruit, even in difficult circumstances.
Look for Consistency: Did their private life align with their public message? For a public figure, this might mean reading their biography or memoirs to understand their personal struggles. For a local leader, it means observing how they handle conflict, loss, or joy.
Focus on Perseverance: A leader's faithfulness is most evident in times of trial. Think about the person who discipled you. Did they continue to serve even when they were sick? Did they maintain their joy even after a personal tragedy? Considering the "outcome" of their lives means seeing that their faithfulness to God endured through it all.
A Real-Life Scenario: Imagine you're a young professional trying to balance work and faith. You remember your former youth pastor, who seemed to have a deep trust in God. Instead of just remembering their sermons, you call them up and ask, "How did you handle burnout? How did you stay close to God when your ministry was struggling?" This is actively considering the outcome of their life.
3. Mimic Their Character and Commitment
This is the practical application of the first two steps. It's not about becoming them, but about adopting the core qualities of their faith—the very things that helped them endure.
Identify the Core Qualities: After you've remembered and considered the leader, ask yourself, "What was the most striking thing about their faith?" Was it their prayer life? Their generosity? Their unwavering trust in God's provision? Identify the specific character trait you want to emulate.
Develop a Plan: Once you've identified a quality, think and pray about how you can develop it in your own life. This is about changing your attitudes and actions, regardless of your circumstances.
A Real-Life Scenario: Let's say you remember a friend who, despite a difficult illness, always maintained a joyful and thankful attitude. You realize that their faith was rooted in a deep understanding of God's sovereignty. To mimic that character, you could start a daily gratitude journal, memorize scriptures about God's goodness, and intentionally pray for a spirit of thankfulness, even on days you don't feel like it. You are not copying their words or their illness, but you are adopting their character and commitment to finding joy in all circumstances.
Join a Journey Group
Stop going it alone! The Christian journey isn't a solo act; it's a relay race with a team. If you want to finish the race with faithfulness and character, you need people to learn from and to run alongside. Don't just admire the lives of the faithful from a distance—join a Journey Group and get in the game.
To find a group, learn how to start one, or simply get more information, visit https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.
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