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Severing Our Security
Severing Our Security
A. The sad result of such an action is documented in Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-31, and II Peter
2:20-22. Their opportunity for eternal life has been totally forfeited by their deliberate
rejection of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Grace of God. I believe that such a
person will have no desire for God nor any remorse for their sin.
1. This is not done quickly, easily, or accidentally (as implied by “lose your salvation”)
2. It is a deliberate process – reversing the process leading to salvation
3. Griffth Thomas: Nothing could be more terrible than the description of the one who
deliberately spurns and despises the most sacred and precious realities of the
Gospel of Christ. He is described as one who has "trodden under foot the Son of
God," "counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing," and "hath done despite
unto the spirit of grace." It is obvious that this is no case of ordinary backsliding,
but, as in chapter 6, of wilful and persistent apostasy.
B. I also believe that a person who has been saved and has deviated into sin can repent and
be restored as long as they feel the guilt of their sin and have a desire to return to the
full fellowship of the Lord. Our opportunity to be right with God is open as long as God
in Grace continues to deal with us through His Spirit, Word, etc.
C. But we do not find Scriptural evidence that a person can profess faith in Christ,
apparently live a Christ-centered live for a time, return to a Christless and sinful
lifestyle, die without repentance, and live eternally in Heaven.
38. Now the just shall live by faith (oJ de< di>kaio>v (mou) ejk pi>stewv
zh>setai). Cited by Paul,<450117>Romans 1:17;<480311>Galatians 3:11. f224b In the
original prophecy the just man is contrasted with the haughty Chaldaean invaders, who
are puffed up and not upright. Through his steadfast obedience to God he shall be kept
alive in the time of confusion and destruction.
But if any man draw back (kai< eja<n uJpootei>lhtai). Omit if any man. Rend. “and if he
draw back,” that is, the just man. The possibility of the lapse of even the just is assumed.
See on ch. 6:4-6. The verb only here,<442020>Acts 20:20, 27;<480212>Galatians 2:12.
See on<442020>Acts 20:20. Rare in LXX.
Shall have no pleasure (oujk eujdokei~). Rend. “hath no pleasure.” “If he draw back — in
him,” not in the Hebrew, which reads, “behold, puffed up within him is his soul, it is not
upright.” The clauses of the LXX are transposed here.
39. But we are not of them who draw back (hJmei~v de< oujk ejsme<n uJpostolh~v). Lit.
we are not of shrinking back. JUpostolh< N.T.o , o LXX, o Class. ¹Einai with genitive
marks the quality or peculiarity of a person or thing. Comp. ch. 12:11 cara~v ei+nai to be
of joy, joyful. We do not partake of drawing back, which is characteristic of recreants.
Unto perdition (eijv ajpw>leian). Or destruction. Drawing back makes for and terminates
in (eijv) destruction.
Of them that believe (pi>stewv). Rend. of faith. The phrase ei+nai pi>stewv to be of
faith,
B. The Scriptural warning of this possibility is not simply to frighten us (though it
should give us a healthy respect for the danger of sinning). This should serve as
motivation for us to give our best to grow in Christlikeness, walk obediently in
His Word, and rest on His unchanging Grace. The closing verses of Hebrews
10:35, 38-39 express the conclusion of every Believer who understands the
impact of the teachings of God's Word. God in this instance is much like an
earthly father who warns his son of the various temptations and evils to be
found in life - telling his son it is there, it is real, and it is dangerous - but "I
expect better things of you; it is not necessary to be overcome; rather be an
overcomer through faith!”
1. Griffith Thomas: It is a reminder which vie do well to heed, that "grace is not
operative whether we believe or not."
2. Griffith Thomas: “The meaning of "draw back" is, literally, to "taking sail" (Gal.
2: 12). The believer is depicted as a sailor who, instead of opening every stitch of
canvas he possesses to catch every breeze, deliberately strikes sail, thus becomes
becalmed. declaration that not only are we not going to shrink, but we are "of them
that believe to the saving of the soul." The word "saving" does not refer to what we
generally understand as salvation from sin, but is a word meaning “Complete
possession' Faith is first receptive in . spreading its sails to catch the breeze of
God's revelation, and then it is responsive to His Word and grace.