Message Apr 5, 2006
Hold Fast to the End
If we had nothing but the Letter to the Hebrews, we could easily dismantle any attempt to put forth a “once saved, always saved” doctrine. Not only are there many exhortations to persevere to the end if we want to be saved—“We share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end”—but there are also severe warnings about the real possibility of permanent apostasy, even for those “who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit…” (6:4-8; see also 3:12 and 10:26-31).
But here I don’t want to dwell on that sad fact, but rather to exhort you, while it is still “today” (see 3:13-15), to hold fast to your faith, and the practice of it, until the end. For things are going to get worse in the world before they get better, harder before they get easier, and great demands may be placed on us which will require even heroic virtue and witness to the truth.
Abbott Joseph
Read:
Hold Fast to the End
(Also posted in "Faith" section as "Keep The Faith")
If we had nothing but the Letter to the Hebrews, we could easily dismantle any attempt to put forth a “once saved, always saved” doctrine. Not only are there many exhortations to persevere to the end if we want to be saved—“We share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end”—but there are also severe warnings about the real possibility of permanent apostasy, even for those “who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit…” (6:4-8; see also 3:12 and 10:26-31).
But here I don’t want to dwell on that sad fact, but rather to exhort you, while it is still “today” (see 3:13-15), to hold fast to your faith, and the practice of it, until the end. For things are going to get worse in the world before they get better, harder before they get easier, and great demands may be placed on us which will require even heroic virtue and witness to the truth.
Abbott Joseph
Read:
Hold Fast to the End
(Also posted in "Faith" section as "Keep The Faith")
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