As was mentioned yesterday, it is crucial in Bible study to not interpret passages independently from other Bible passages on the same theme, but rather to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Taken together as a whole, the Bible constitutes "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).
For example, Ephesians 2:8-9 handled so inexpertly could lead to an extreme position of "Grace will cover any evil and faithless behavior; I am able to sin freely without consequence because of grace". The bookend to Ephesians 2:8-9 is James 2:17, which tells us that faith unaccompanied by the good works that distinguish the life of a believer from a non-believer is "false faith" or "dead faith".
This example helps us to frame Hebrews 3 which, at a casual reading, could lead the reader to conclude that it is the believer's perseverance in good works that either creates his eternal salvation OR that "keeps him saved". In other words, if a person professes Christ and then somewhere along the way begins to be sidetracked through "wilderness wanderings", shall we say, then, that person has blown it, lost his salvation, somehow reverted back into a state of "un-redemption". Through his actions he has managed to "undo" what the saving grace of God formerly did.
Such a conclusion would be wrong and unsubstantiated through the whole of scripture. The book of Hebrews itself must be taken all together as a whole in this regard, since in Hebrews 11:6 reminds us ....
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
A vibrant, living, life-changing faith in the One whose grace covers all our sins pleases God and makes us right with Him. What does it mean, then, this urgent admonition to the Hebrew believers to "persevere" (the opposite of which is to "harden your heart")?
The writer of Hebrews has here given us the example of the Old Testament Hebrew children who obviously did not persevere at Kadesh. In fact, it was this "final straw" incident which led God to remove His hand of blessing from them. The consequence of their unbelief/lack of faith was that they did not enjoy God's rest in the Promised Land, but were, instead, relegated to wandering in the desert until their collective generation completely died out.
Did the Hebrew children cease to become God's people? Did they lose their position as His chosen race? No, they did not. However, through their hardened hearts and lack of faith they lost the blessings of God upon their lives. Obviously, some of those Hebrew children were never true believers in God and His ways at all. They never possessed saving faith, as modeled by their God-appointed leader, Moses. (And, even he did not make a perfect model, striking the rock as he did in a rash act of faithlessness.)
The same was true of the New Testament Hebrew believers, and the same is true today. Not all who claim the name of Jesus Christ are truly His. Cockerill distinguishes these two groups as "true believers" and "apparent believers".1 Perseverance and steadfastness are always marks of true believers.
According to Paul, that stellar apostle of the message of grace, true believers are to be "unmoveable".
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) - -
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
What does this characteristic of steadfastness mean?
1. First of all, it means to be firmly grounded in the Word of God, so much so that the believer has a correct understanding on which to stand. It is easy to topple someone who is not standing on a firm foundation, that is, on an unbalanced, incorrect interpretation of the Bible. So, Bible study is a necessity for the true believer, in order to produce discernment and to grow into a confident steadfastness. This is not the equivalent of a stubborn "unteachableness". It does, however, produce a Christian who can evaluate all "teaching" in light of the whole counsel of God, as revealed in the Bible. This is why we must not shy away from "difficult" teachings in the word of God, but rather embrace them, chew on them, seek other passages on that topic in order to search out the whole of the teaching, as opposed to focusing merely on that one part. Failure to do so leads often to error.
2. Secondly, steadfastness means actively cultivating a soft heart. This is not a spiritual weakness, but rather a spiritual strength. Elsewhere in scripture we find the admonition to "break up our fallow ground" (Hosea 10:12 NKJV)
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
And what IS "fallow ground"? Well, you can see a lot of it in my area right now! We have had no rain here in months; therefore, the ground is hard, compacted, largely impenetrable but for the strongest tools. In order for there to be growth, that ground will need to be softened by rain and broken up by various instruments. Otherwise, seed planted there will die. As true Christians, we must invite the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts by illuminating our minds as we study the Word and also to allow Him to change us through the illumination. It does no good to merely read and learn the truths of God if we harden our hearts against what we learn and continue in unrighteous disobedience. True faith produces works of righteousness. James nailed it when he said, "But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."A soft, submissive, yielded heart is hallowed ground, where the Holy Spirit can produce in us "works of righteousness". The deeds/actions which follow give evidence of the transformed life, tangible proof of the God who lives within us. Such obedience produces and enables steadfastness.
The Christian life can be discouraging as we will never reach a Christ-like state of perfection. Discouragement can chip away at steadfastness by convincing ourselves that we are a "hopeless case" or that holiness is an "impossible standard". But, in the final analysis, our Savior is (as He is in everything) a perfect model for steadfastness. He is steadfastly devoted in His love for us. He is the anchor who holds our salvation safe and secure. As the old hymn says...
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.2
Sources:
1 Cockerill, Gareth Lee. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2012. Kindle edition.
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