A key theme, if not THE key theme, in the letter to the Hebrews is that of holding fast, perseverance, endurance-terms that indicate continuing a sometimes difficult and long course for a purpose and with an end, which may not necessarily be in view at present.
The warnings are meant to help readers in the first century all the way through today and beyond to hold on to their faith in the work of Christ that one day they might be counted in those who have “loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8) A brief summary of the warnings and the responses to them follows.
- Pay closer attention to what God has revealed in His Son Jesus and do not drift from it (Hebrews 2:1-3a). The Greek for “pay attention” in a naval context means to “hold one’s course toward a place”. The context is the spoken Word but would also include the written Word. Stay close to the Bible and its proclamation and obey it. There are no shortcuts.
- Rest from your efforts to gain salvation; instead, work out its evidence within you by your actions (Hebrews 3:7-4:13). Draw near to Jesus and the throne of grace and realize He has done the work of salvation for you (Hebrews 4:14-16), freeing you to walk in the works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10).
- Do not waddle in immaturity by thinking you need to go back to the cross (Hebrews 5:11-6:8). Reminding ourselves of the Cross and our need for it is one thing, but returning back to it for salvation over and over is not possible and a mark of immaturity. Instead, one source of assurance is the love we have for each other (Hebrews 6:10-11). John affirms this in his first epistle (1 John 4:20-21).
- The reign of sin in the life of the “professor” distinguishes him from the “possessor” (Hebrews 10:26-31) and can cause spiritual “vertigo”. Living in unrepentant sin destroys assurance or, worse, can be associated with false assurance with disastrous consequences. The importance of the ministry of the Body of Christ (the Church) is outlined by the author in Hebrews 10:23-25, 32-34. If the Body is functioning properly, sin will be addressed and, hopefully, healing accomplished.
- Paul reminds us in Philippians (3:1) that there is nothing wrong with repetition and the letter to the Hebrews is no exception. Do not turn away from all that God uses to communicate to you-the Word (written and spoken), the love expressed by and to the Church, and the witness of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 12:15-29). Those who persevere are promised to partake in an everlasting Kingdom as co-heirs and co-regents with the King!
All of Scripture is profitable-it tells us what we ought to know, stop, change, and do (2 Timothy 3:16). Along with Romans, Hebrews is one of the deepest books of the Bible. Along with Ephesians, it provides a peek behind the curtain of the Unseen and at least partially explains the Reality that lies behind our world. I hope that you will wade into this book further to appreciate “the momentary light affliction that is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
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