“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.”

These Christians had witnessed a lot, and they had been through a lot, and our writer wants to remind them of why they had stood so firm in the face of such persecution and personal loss. They had stood firm. Standing in their faith in Jesus had been costly for many of them. They had also stood firm beside other Christians, bound by their mutual love and belief in their savior.

They discounted their possessions and their lives because they believed there were much better things in store for them. Not only did they believe there were better things, but they understood that those things would be permanent. Isn’t it what we seek as well; permanent possessions and a permanent life? This world offers neither of the two. The old covenant offers neither of the two.

Task for Today: Today, you should count your blessings in Christ. You might take a few minutes to consider the possession you are receiving in Jesus and those yet to come. Remember that when you died to the old way and were born again to the new, your personal eternal life began. You now have abundant life.