Monday, 29 October 2018
But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. Hebrews 6:9
The word, “But,” is given to contrast the unhappy end of things mentioned in verse 6:8. There he spoke of the land which bears thorns and briers as being rejected, near to being cursed, and whose end is to be burned. As explained, that was speaking of those who hear the word but are not productive in it. As was seen, it has been speaking about the Hebrew people and their fate as they apply or reject the word of God. He will explain the contrast that he expects in his audience, but first, he begins with “beloved.”
In saying beloved, he is speaking now of those who are believers in Christ. He understands that they have professed faith in Him, and the fate of the nation may be one end, but the fate of those who have found faith in Christ may be different. Even if the whole nation walks away and is destroyed, for those in Christ, he says, “we are confident of better things.” In the Greek, there is an article before “better things.” It says, “the better things.” This is then referring to what was said in verse 7 about the land which drinks in water and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, and which receives a blessing. As he says, “the better things concerning you.”
They have come to Christ, and he knows that their end is one of blessing. This is so certain that he continues, “yes, things that accompany salvation.” He is writing to a Hebrew audience, he has addressed them as “beloved,” and he understands that they have faith in the Messiah. Again, the fate of Israel may be that of a curse, and indeed it turned out to be so. However, for those who received the word and applied it to their lives in faith concerning Messiah, the better things which accompany salvation are their happy lot. The things they do, in Christ, are considered acceptable works because of Christ. Thus, those things “accompany salvation.” To show that he understands this, and that he wants them to see the difference between the two, he finishes with, “though we speak in this manner.”
He has told of a scary fate that may lay ahead for the collective whole, but for those who have come to Jesus in faith, his words about the curse and destruction do not apply. In Jesus, there is the surety of salvation.
The words here are not at all speaking of these people turning away in apostasy and losing their salvation. Rather, they are showing a distinction between two categories of people, within the greater body of Israel, who have chosen (or who will choose) one of two different paths. For those who choose the good path, there is assurance. These very verses, which people confuse with a possible loss of salvation, when looked at properly actually speak of the impossibility of it. By simply hearing the word which tells of Jesus, and then in accepting it, salvation is granted. Paul couldn’t be any clearer on this issue –
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14
Isn’t it wonderful to know that our salvation, after coming to Christ, isn’t up to us! When one hears the word of truth and believes (that’s it!) he is marked with a seal – the promised Holy Spirit. After that, salvation is no longer up to the individual maintaining a perfect testimony. If it were, every single person – EVER – would be lost again. We all fall, we all sin, and we all fail our Lord. O! But He is ever faithful to keep us from ourselves. Hallelujah and Amen!
Life application: Each individual must decide what they will do with Christ. There may be a congregation that comes together which has heard the word and completely misused it, not coming to Christ in their hearts. But even within such a group, there may be some that choose another path. This then would be similar to what is said in Revelation 3:4, where the congregation at Sardis is said to have some who were worthy, and who would walk with Christ in white – meaning they were saved. Be sure to come to Christ. No matter what church or denomination you belong to, don’t follow the crowd if the crowd is heading in the wrong direction.
Glory to God in the highest for His ever-faithful and ever-strong hand of salvation! Lord, we look to You in awe for Your ability to keep us, even from ourselves. Thank You Lord Jesus for the work You accomplished and for the eternal security You provide! Again, glory to God in the highest! Amen.