Commendation and assurance never taste so sweet as when they follow the stern rebuke of exhortation and correction. The author of Hebrews shifts the attention of his readers from the horrific consequences of apostasy to the glories of salvation and its properties in the latter half of chapter 6. Taken as intended, this entire passage serves as reassuring smelling salts for the prone to sluggishness believer. We begin to see the integrated relationship of Christian virtues in this text. Earnestness ...swiftness to show zealous diligence. Hope ...expectation of what is sure. Faith ...God's warranty that guarantees the fulfillment of the revelation He births within the receptive believer. Patience ...the quality of being long-tempered. (Definitions from Helps Word-Studies). Hebrews reminds us us that every human action/decision/disposition is directly linked to a corresponding HOPE – An expectation of future events sovereign over present realities.