“when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18 God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us.19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain[c] and into the most holy place. 20 Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever,” Hebrews 6: 17-20 (CEV)
Hope is the anchor for our souls when fear would try to shake the foundations of our souls. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 5 has just warned his readers of being “dull of hearing.” He is pleading with them to grow—to mature in their knowledge of Jesus. As we turn to chapter 6, he begins with a plea once more. He seems at first discouraging. He has noted that among the congregation that there are some who want to return to a doctrine of works only. Some wanted to return to ceremonial rituals of being saved over and over again; as though that were possible!!
Christ had paid the price for salvation once and forever on the cross. To suggest that one could be saved, lose that salvation and be saved again was not possible. The writer points this out very clearly in his arguments to follow in Hebrews 6: 4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Continue reading “What If My Faith Is Stagnant? Is There Hope?”
