“But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:32-39).
We are reminded in this Scripture of the necessity to persevere in order to receive the eternal inheritance in heaven. That is described as a faith that believes unto the saving of the soul. Belief unto the saving of the soul is contrasted with drawing back to perdition. It’s one thing to believe and obey the gospel but yet another to complete the fight, the race, the course. Several instructions are given in this exhortation, which, if we will follow, will help us believe unto the saving of our souls.
First, remember you have already endured trials since becoming a Christian. You are still in the race. Why would you give up now after God has already helped you through those trials?
Second, you know something: you have an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven if you will remain faithful. Do not forget what you know.
Third, you have confidence in Christ Jesus, having had your past sins forgiven and now living in hope of eternal life. Do not cast that away. Consider what valuable possession you would be throwing away.
Fourth, continue enduring day by day. You made a decision, a commitment when you obeyed the gospel. Now, live that commitment one day and one battle at a time.
Fifth, walk by faith. To walk by faith is to live by belief and assurance in the truth of the gospel, ordering your decisions and your thoughts, words and deeds by the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
Finally, do not shrink back. Do not slowly, almost as if secretly, drift away from the Lord. Instead, examine yourself, whether you be in the faith, and give the more earnest attention to that which is written.
There are two possibilities shown in this context for
Christians. One is to believe but then
draw back to destruction, and the other is to believe unto the saving of the
soul. Are you giving diligence to the
latter? Receive then the exhortation of
this Scripture in order to believe unto the saving of your soul. -Larry Jones