A call to stand firm!

As one reads the Epistle to the Hebrews, it is evident that the writer is an accomplished theologian with the heart of a pastor. He desires that his readers live what they believe. He shows concern that some are or will start to fade in their trust in Christ alone. This is evident as one comes to the first of five warning passages at the beginning of chapter 2, verses 1-4.

William Barclay grasps the intent of the writer with a paraphrase of verse 1, Therefore, we must the more eagerly anchor our lives to the things that we have been taught in case the ship of life should drift past the harbour and be wrecked. The kernel of truth is the Gospel which must not only be heard and understood but received and retained. C. S. Lewis declared, . . .if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?

Have you, have I, taken the time to check the anchor of our souls? Robertson McQuilkin took that time with alarming accuracy, I fear the Dark Spectre may come too soon—or do I mean, too late? That I should end before I finish or finish, but not well. That I should stain your honor, shame your name, grieve your loving heart. Few, they tell me, finish well…Lord, let me get home before dark. Such personal examination is what the writer of Hebrews demands. It is not something we should fear but be grateful that it is never too late to stop the fade.

The writer’s warning begins with a declaration that the Mosaic Covenant mediated by angels demanded punishment for disobedience. How much more should the Gospel mediated through the work of Christ require punishment for turning away from such a great salvation. The focus of the warning is in verse 3a, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? I believe many people avoid Hebrews because of the fear of judgment. What if my faith in Christ is not sufficient to deliver me from the wrath of God? I believe Hebrews should not be avoided but understood properly.

I believe a proper understanding should begin by asking and answering three questions. First, does we in verse 3 refer to the saved or unsaved? It refers to the saved. Zane Hodges states, The “we” which pervades the passage shows that the author included himself among those who needed to pay close attention to these truths. Second, does escape refer to hell or discipline? It refers to discipline. Thomas Constable, The writer did not specify the punishment, but it cannot be loss of salvation since Scripture specifically states that we will not lose our salvation... Third, is this a warning to not reject salvation? No, it is a warning not to neglect the salvation one has received by faith in Christ alone.

Let me make a disclaimer. The intent of this study is not to weaken the warning passages in Hebrews but to reconcile them to Scripture. One must affirm that salvation is a gift and rewards are for faithful service. Note 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. A proper goal of Bible study is to be faithful to all of Scripture. The integrity of Scripture demands interpretation of difficult passages through interaction with clear passages. God's Word will never contradict itself. May we study God’s Word with reverential fear.

It is of utmost importance to understand such a great salvation. The permanence of salvation for a Christian is not his or her faithfulness to God but God’s faithfulness to Himself. Consider several passages which proclaim salvation as a completed work of God the Father through Christ the Son. John 10:28-29, I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. Ephesians 1:13-14, In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 1 Peter 1:3-5, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

If the warning passages in Hebrews are for Christians and they are not warning against losing one’s salvation, what is the punishment? Let’s find the answer as we study the Epistle to the Hebrews under the Books of the Bible tab. May we not fade but stand firmly on the Solid Rock!