Hebrews 10:38-39 Promise Of Continuity
Some believe that Hebrews 10:38-39 is referring to a believer that has lost salvation. This is because it speaks of one who God is not pleased with. This one draws back to perdition. That is what people state, but what does it mean in the context of the Bible?
Hebrews 10:38-39.
38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
There are two contrasting thought in this passage. There are ones that draw back to perdition who do not believe to the saving of the soul. And there are those that believed to the saving of the soul that do not draw back unto perdition.
John helps clear this up in 1 John 2:18-19.
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
One thing that characterizes the true believer is found in Philippians 1:6.
6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yeshua Messiah:
God completes it to the end. If one does not continue to the end that individual never had salvation to begin with. If one of these is really of us, then God ensures that they will return. Yeshua goes after the sheep that are astray, Luke 15:4-7.
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Ones that are not really believers may hang around a while, give lip service, but are not truly born again. The glory of the new birth needs to be expressed such that it is something far greater than just changing or turning over a new leaf. It is far more than just getting religion. Or any of other term humans may come up with that brings new birth down to a human level.
When people leave, it is because they never truly knew the Lord. For if they had known Him, they would have continued. This alone states the promise of continuity. It is God’s gift to the believer.
Ones who leave and think they will not return come in the category of 1 Corinthians 11:30-32, Hebrews 12 and 1 John 5:16 chastisement.
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