May 23, 2004

SECURITY FOR ALL? (Pt. 2)

Hebrews 10:39

   A verse that seems to make security for Hebrew saints dependant on continued performance is Hebrews 10:38-39, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe unto the saving of the soul" (Heb. 10:38). The fear is that if any "draw back unto perdition," is seems they are lost!

   Yet that is not the true sense. Perdition is not a good word, but it is used of both the lost and the saved. Paul wrote, "many walk, of whom I...now tell you...weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction (perdition), whose god is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Phil 3:19). Some can hardly this refers to believers. Did Paul write weeping because of such behavior among the lost? Indeed not!

   The Lord spoke of the same principle. "If any man desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his soul (life) shall lose it, and whosoever shall lose his life (soul) for My sake shall find itl For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul (life)? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works" (Mt. 16:24-27). It should be clear that the way to "save one's own soul" would be to lose one's soul by taking up the cross! Seem unpleasant? Try keeping your life and using it for yourself. Is not that the sure way to "lose it"?

   This is exactly the sense of Hebrews 10:39! Believing to the "saving of the soul" has only to do with service, not salvation, but service. Laying one's life on the line, taking up the cross in service for Christ is the sure way for reward, for then Christ "shall reward every man..." Shrinking from a life of dedicated service to the Lord is "drawing back to perdition." Such are "enemies," not of Christ, but "of the cross of Christ." The destruction is not of the lost in hell, but loss of reward for the saint. In Hebrews the believer is exhorted to "go on to perfection" (6:1), and not to "draw back unto perdition" (10:39).

Ivan L. Burgener