Hebrews chapter 6...... anchor of the soul
God has not only provided for our hearts, but for our minds, and the thought of assurance is very much to the fore in this chapter. The fulcrum of the chapter is verse 11 “...we desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end.” He wants His people to be saved, but also to be sure. Lack of assurance breeds uncertainty and ultimately lethargy, and hinders progress. The call here is to “go on”; to be active in “things that accompany salvation”, to make progress in the things of God. In the previous chapter he was concerned at the lack of progress, and maps out a course for believers to prosper.
Verses 1-3 The call to maturity
Verses 4-8 The danger of apostasy
Verses 9-12 The evidence of reality
Verses 13-20 The basis of security
Verses 1-3 The call to maturity “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.” The phrase could be rendered “the word of the beginning”. This refers to the initial spiritual awakening of the individual, and, in line with the teaching in chapter 5 vv11-14, Christians should develop to maturity. Sinless perfection is not in view, for that will not be possible in this life, but growth to adulthood in spiritual matters is required. The primary sense of “perfection”, in this context, is to progress from Judaism to Christianity. The word is used in the letter to describe the fitting of the Son of God for high priestly work (chapter 2 v10; 5 v9); the superiority of the Melchisedek priesthood over the old Levitical priesthood (chapter 7v11); the greatness of the true tabernacle in heaven where Jesus operates as High Priest (chapter 9 v11); the imperfection of the old covenant to perfect the worshippers (chapter 10 v1); and the perfection of the sacrifice of Christ to fit the saints for the service of God (chapter 10 v14). All this requires a process of understanding and practice on the part of the believer, as it required a process on the part of Christ to fit Him to be our leader to glory. There is a very real danger that stagnation may reveal apostasy, as he will explain in the next few verses, and going on, going forward, progressing is very much part of Christian life. For the readers this meant turning away from Judaism as a way of worship and embracing Christianity to the full. Some of them were looking to retain Judaism as part of their worship, and the call was to progress from that. The phrase “let us go on” should be “let us be carried forward”. We cannot do this in our own strength, we need Divine help to grow. The writer lists six foundational truths of Christianity, which were also were foundational to Judaism. If the readers went back to Judaism to avoid persecution, they would only be abandoning the perfect for the imperfect, the mature for the immature. Repentance and faith (Godward) are the necessary first steps in conversion: washings (baptism- or ablutions in Judaism) and laying on of hands have to do with public acceptance, whether of old in the synagogue, or anew in the church of believers: the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment have to do with the future and are the reasons people need to be saved. Put together, all of these are fundamental, the first principles but we need to move on and grow spiritually. These are the issues with which the evangelist is very much involved, but this is just the beginning. The content of verse three prepares us for the solemn realities in verses 4-6. “This we will do if God permit”. It seems that initial salvation, as also progress in it, are only by the permission of God. We do not take anything for granted, we deserve nothing of His grace, except His mercy allows it. We dare not presume on His grace especially if we are unresponsive to His word. We shall see it is a serious matter to reject His word, but a blessed thing if we obey it.
Verses 4-8 The danger of apostasy There is a significant change in these verses from the first person to the third using “they”” and “those” and “them” instead of “we” and “us”. He returns to “we” and “us” from verse 9 onwards. There are some people of whom it is “impossible..... to renew to repentance”. Repentance being the first step in salvation, clearly he is referring to people not saved and indeed who have placed themselves beyond salvation. Not that there is any limitation with God, but there is a judicial hardening takes place on rejection of the word as will be illustrated in verses7-8. Constant rejection of spiritual truth presented involves a hardening process from which it is impossible to recover. Privileges from God demands a response and reference is made to five aspects of privilege enjoyed by every Jew, and also by every husband/wife/child associated with truly saved people. True spiritual experiences, as enjoyed by every repentant sinner, are itemised here such as “enlightened”; “tasted of the heavenly gift”; “made partakers of the Holy Spirit”; “tasted the good word of God”; “tasted the powers of the world (age) to come”. This is the wonder of true salvation, but it is evident that this was a mere profession on the part of those who have fallen away, it was not real. Their departure involved rejection of Christ and, having pledged allegiance to Him, they now actively are “crucifying Him afresh and putting Him to an open shame”. Effectively they are standing with the Jewish mob who shouted all with one voice “crucify Him”. Those who reject Christ either now or later can never be saved. Just the same as in future days, those who receive the mark of the beast are debarred forever from salvation ( Revelation chapter 14 vv9-10), those who openly reject His Son He will make it impossible for them to be saved, He will not permit them,(which is the force of verse 3). Salvation is by the grace of God on repentance, there is no repentance by the Christ rejecter and there can be no salvation.
The illustration of this is in verses 7-8 is taken from nature. “The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God”. Note “the rain that comes often on it”....this is spiritually linked to the word of God in Isaiah 55 vv10-11. The constant provision in nature of the fruit-producing rain receives blessing from God the evidence of which is herbs, useful for physical life. The same is true in the spiritual, but the soil that produces, from the same rain, thorns and thistles, is rejected. The word of God has always positive results for good or bad and only that which brings forth fruit is blessed of God.
Verses 9-12 Evidence of reality Continuing the thought of fruit bearing, God’s salvation, though not of works, yet is evidenced by works as is obvious by the phrase “things which accompany salvation”. We proclaim what we are by how we live, and the things which give such evidence are stated here as “service to the saints” on a regular basis. The evidence that we love God whom we have not seen is that we love His people whom we have seen. The contrary is just false profession...(see 1st John 4 vv20-21). The writer is persuaded better things of them because of their work and labour of love. Note how he puts their service to the saints as “your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward His name”. Service to the saints is service to the Lord. This active service, which is the fruit of their salvation, the writer wants them to give the same diligence to their own personal faith, to develop it, to gain increasing personal assurance of the hope within them and then to follow them who have long persevered in the life of faith. In chapter 11 he will expand on the power of lives already lived in faith, and in chapter 13 of those who currently live by faith “whose faith follow”. To do this they will need to grow in faith and assurance and perseverance, for the Christian life is a permanent change. This will involve the absence of slothfulness, showing diligence to live in the enjoyment of Divine promises. Heaven will come soon enough but we can enjoy here and now.
Verses 13-20 The basis of security How can we be sure that we are saved, if some can profess it yet lose it forever? The short answer is by taking God at His word and obeying it. Ultimately, as the next verses will shew, eternal security is in the God who does not change, and who cannot lie. His word is eternal and sure and my security depends not on my wavering faith but on His unchangeable promise. We are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time” (1st Peter 1v5). He now develops this to bring a threefold certainty to bolster the faith of the saints, God’s promise, God’s oath, and God’s Son.
God’s promise verses 13-15 God keeps His promises. He promised Abraham a great name, and a great nation, and a great influence, and a son who would produce countless seed, and a land that would be occupied exclusively by his seed. All this found in the narrative of Genesis 12-18. Some of this has come to pass and the rest will follow. The quote here is from Genesis 22 where Abraham passed his greatest test of obedience and God ratified the promise. The comment is that “...after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise”. The word for “patiently endured” is the opposite of “sluggish” in verse12 and “dull” in chapter 5 v11. Here is an old testament example of faith in action, a man diligently applying his belief in God, amidst many personal failures and through many trials. This was just the word to counteract the lethargy of the Hebrew saints. In keeping with the overall context of the letter, we now have better, even far superior promises than Abraham and we do well to follow his example. We may ask what is keeping us from spiritual progress? Neglect of church attendance, bible study, prayer, and good works rob us of the earthly joy of salvation, let alone the eternal loss of reward that will follow.
God’s oath verses 16-18 God confirmed His promise to Abraham with an oath (Genesis 22 vv16-17). The oath of man can be worthless, the oath of God is unchangeable. “Because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself”. In abundant grace He has made the same promise with the same oath to all the heirs of promise, which brings in every believer! God willing to shew the immutability(unchangeability) of His counsel to all believers, confirmed it with an oath. Therefore we are encompassed with two unchangeable things (God’s promise and His oath). We are indeed hedged about and He has given us strong consolation who have fled to Him for refuge. In the end it does not depend on us but on the God who cannot lie. By cooperation with Him we shall enter into the enjoyment of our salvation (the hope that is set before us).
God’s Son Verses 19-20 This hope is said to be “an anchor of the soul”...not a hope downward as on earth, but upward into heaven itself where Jesus is enthroned in the presence of God (inside the veil), by virtue of a finished work. All on earth is transient and passing, heaven is eternal, so our hope is sure and steadfast. Our forerunner (that is the guarantee that we will follow) has entered inside the veil, beyond the realm of time, where the eternal God resides and decrees all things. He is there as a man (Jesus) and we as men will be there, “beyond the sunset”, “in a land where we’ll never grow old”, “in the land that is fairer than day” to use the lyrics of notable songs. He is there now, His throne is set, He awaits the visible kingdom of which we are all part. He humbled Himself “outside the camp” in His crucifixion, God has exalted Him “inside the veil” away from the eyes of the world, where He operates as our King-Priest as He leads all His people to glory. God will soon remove the veil and all shall see Him as He is. This is no forlorn hope, this is confident expectation, this is absolute certainty. Our anchor is sure (it cannot break); it is steadfast (it cannot be moved). No anchor of earth can compare with this. We are anchored heavenward to the God who cannot lie, who does not change, who controls all, who rules from heaven, where Jesus has entered our forerunner and great High Priest, and that for all the endless ages of eternity!!
God has not only provided for our hearts, but for our minds, and the thought of assurance is very much to the fore in this chapter. The fulcrum of the chapter is verse 11 “...we desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end.” He wants His people to be saved, but also to be sure. Lack of assurance breeds uncertainty and ultimately lethargy, and hinders progress. The call here is to “go on”; to be active in “things that accompany salvation”, to make progress in the things of God. In the previous chapter he was concerned at the lack of progress, and maps out a course for believers to prosper.
Verses 1-3 The call to maturity
Verses 4-8 The danger of apostasy
Verses 9-12 The evidence of reality
Verses 13-20 The basis of security
Verses 1-3 The call to maturity “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.” The phrase could be rendered “the word of the beginning”. This refers to the initial spiritual awakening of the individual, and, in line with the teaching in chapter 5 vv11-14, Christians should develop to maturity. Sinless perfection is not in view, for that will not be possible in this life, but growth to adulthood in spiritual matters is required. The primary sense of “perfection”, in this context, is to progress from Judaism to Christianity. The word is used in the letter to describe the fitting of the Son of God for high priestly work (chapter 2 v10; 5 v9); the superiority of the Melchisedek priesthood over the old Levitical priesthood (chapter 7v11); the greatness of the true tabernacle in heaven where Jesus operates as High Priest (chapter 9 v11); the imperfection of the old covenant to perfect the worshippers (chapter 10 v1); and the perfection of the sacrifice of Christ to fit the saints for the service of God (chapter 10 v14). All this requires a process of understanding and practice on the part of the believer, as it required a process on the part of Christ to fit Him to be our leader to glory. There is a very real danger that stagnation may reveal apostasy, as he will explain in the next few verses, and going on, going forward, progressing is very much part of Christian life. For the readers this meant turning away from Judaism as a way of worship and embracing Christianity to the full. Some of them were looking to retain Judaism as part of their worship, and the call was to progress from that. The phrase “let us go on” should be “let us be carried forward”. We cannot do this in our own strength, we need Divine help to grow. The writer lists six foundational truths of Christianity, which were also were foundational to Judaism. If the readers went back to Judaism to avoid persecution, they would only be abandoning the perfect for the imperfect, the mature for the immature. Repentance and faith (Godward) are the necessary first steps in conversion: washings (baptism- or ablutions in Judaism) and laying on of hands have to do with public acceptance, whether of old in the synagogue, or anew in the church of believers: the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment have to do with the future and are the reasons people need to be saved. Put together, all of these are fundamental, the first principles but we need to move on and grow spiritually. These are the issues with which the evangelist is very much involved, but this is just the beginning. The content of verse three prepares us for the solemn realities in verses 4-6. “This we will do if God permit”. It seems that initial salvation, as also progress in it, are only by the permission of God. We do not take anything for granted, we deserve nothing of His grace, except His mercy allows it. We dare not presume on His grace especially if we are unresponsive to His word. We shall see it is a serious matter to reject His word, but a blessed thing if we obey it.
Verses 4-8 The danger of apostasy There is a significant change in these verses from the first person to the third using “they”” and “those” and “them” instead of “we” and “us”. He returns to “we” and “us” from verse 9 onwards. There are some people of whom it is “impossible..... to renew to repentance”. Repentance being the first step in salvation, clearly he is referring to people not saved and indeed who have placed themselves beyond salvation. Not that there is any limitation with God, but there is a judicial hardening takes place on rejection of the word as will be illustrated in verses7-8. Constant rejection of spiritual truth presented involves a hardening process from which it is impossible to recover. Privileges from God demands a response and reference is made to five aspects of privilege enjoyed by every Jew, and also by every husband/wife/child associated with truly saved people. True spiritual experiences, as enjoyed by every repentant sinner, are itemised here such as “enlightened”; “tasted of the heavenly gift”; “made partakers of the Holy Spirit”; “tasted the good word of God”; “tasted the powers of the world (age) to come”. This is the wonder of true salvation, but it is evident that this was a mere profession on the part of those who have fallen away, it was not real. Their departure involved rejection of Christ and, having pledged allegiance to Him, they now actively are “crucifying Him afresh and putting Him to an open shame”. Effectively they are standing with the Jewish mob who shouted all with one voice “crucify Him”. Those who reject Christ either now or later can never be saved. Just the same as in future days, those who receive the mark of the beast are debarred forever from salvation ( Revelation chapter 14 vv9-10), those who openly reject His Son He will make it impossible for them to be saved, He will not permit them,(which is the force of verse 3). Salvation is by the grace of God on repentance, there is no repentance by the Christ rejecter and there can be no salvation.
The illustration of this is in verses 7-8 is taken from nature. “The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God”. Note “the rain that comes often on it”....this is spiritually linked to the word of God in Isaiah 55 vv10-11. The constant provision in nature of the fruit-producing rain receives blessing from God the evidence of which is herbs, useful for physical life. The same is true in the spiritual, but the soil that produces, from the same rain, thorns and thistles, is rejected. The word of God has always positive results for good or bad and only that which brings forth fruit is blessed of God.
Verses 9-12 Evidence of reality Continuing the thought of fruit bearing, God’s salvation, though not of works, yet is evidenced by works as is obvious by the phrase “things which accompany salvation”. We proclaim what we are by how we live, and the things which give such evidence are stated here as “service to the saints” on a regular basis. The evidence that we love God whom we have not seen is that we love His people whom we have seen. The contrary is just false profession...(see 1st John 4 vv20-21). The writer is persuaded better things of them because of their work and labour of love. Note how he puts their service to the saints as “your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward His name”. Service to the saints is service to the Lord. This active service, which is the fruit of their salvation, the writer wants them to give the same diligence to their own personal faith, to develop it, to gain increasing personal assurance of the hope within them and then to follow them who have long persevered in the life of faith. In chapter 11 he will expand on the power of lives already lived in faith, and in chapter 13 of those who currently live by faith “whose faith follow”. To do this they will need to grow in faith and assurance and perseverance, for the Christian life is a permanent change. This will involve the absence of slothfulness, showing diligence to live in the enjoyment of Divine promises. Heaven will come soon enough but we can enjoy here and now.
Verses 13-20 The basis of security How can we be sure that we are saved, if some can profess it yet lose it forever? The short answer is by taking God at His word and obeying it. Ultimately, as the next verses will shew, eternal security is in the God who does not change, and who cannot lie. His word is eternal and sure and my security depends not on my wavering faith but on His unchangeable promise. We are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time” (1st Peter 1v5). He now develops this to bring a threefold certainty to bolster the faith of the saints, God’s promise, God’s oath, and God’s Son.
God’s promise verses 13-15 God keeps His promises. He promised Abraham a great name, and a great nation, and a great influence, and a son who would produce countless seed, and a land that would be occupied exclusively by his seed. All this found in the narrative of Genesis 12-18. Some of this has come to pass and the rest will follow. The quote here is from Genesis 22 where Abraham passed his greatest test of obedience and God ratified the promise. The comment is that “...after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise”. The word for “patiently endured” is the opposite of “sluggish” in verse12 and “dull” in chapter 5 v11. Here is an old testament example of faith in action, a man diligently applying his belief in God, amidst many personal failures and through many trials. This was just the word to counteract the lethargy of the Hebrew saints. In keeping with the overall context of the letter, we now have better, even far superior promises than Abraham and we do well to follow his example. We may ask what is keeping us from spiritual progress? Neglect of church attendance, bible study, prayer, and good works rob us of the earthly joy of salvation, let alone the eternal loss of reward that will follow.
God’s oath verses 16-18 God confirmed His promise to Abraham with an oath (Genesis 22 vv16-17). The oath of man can be worthless, the oath of God is unchangeable. “Because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself”. In abundant grace He has made the same promise with the same oath to all the heirs of promise, which brings in every believer! God willing to shew the immutability(unchangeability) of His counsel to all believers, confirmed it with an oath. Therefore we are encompassed with two unchangeable things (God’s promise and His oath). We are indeed hedged about and He has given us strong consolation who have fled to Him for refuge. In the end it does not depend on us but on the God who cannot lie. By cooperation with Him we shall enter into the enjoyment of our salvation (the hope that is set before us).
God’s Son Verses 19-20 This hope is said to be “an anchor of the soul”...not a hope downward as on earth, but upward into heaven itself where Jesus is enthroned in the presence of God (inside the veil), by virtue of a finished work. All on earth is transient and passing, heaven is eternal, so our hope is sure and steadfast. Our forerunner (that is the guarantee that we will follow) has entered inside the veil, beyond the realm of time, where the eternal God resides and decrees all things. He is there as a man (Jesus) and we as men will be there, “beyond the sunset”, “in a land where we’ll never grow old”, “in the land that is fairer than day” to use the lyrics of notable songs. He is there now, His throne is set, He awaits the visible kingdom of which we are all part. He humbled Himself “outside the camp” in His crucifixion, God has exalted Him “inside the veil” away from the eyes of the world, where He operates as our King-Priest as He leads all His people to glory. God will soon remove the veil and all shall see Him as He is. This is no forlorn hope, this is confident expectation, this is absolute certainty. Our anchor is sure (it cannot break); it is steadfast (it cannot be moved). No anchor of earth can compare with this. We are anchored heavenward to the God who cannot lie, who does not change, who controls all, who rules from heaven, where Jesus has entered our forerunner and great High Priest, and that for all the endless ages of eternity!!
No comments:
Post a Comment