I’ve been reading some commentaries on the Epistle to the Hebrews and I am sorry, but I cannot see how the New Testament warnings of apostasy written by the apostles can be simply hypothetical. Many wonderful saints have taken these as hypothetical, because they have seen the glory of the salvation wrought for us by a sovereign God of grace, and cannot see how there is any room for any real threat to the saint. “There is therefore now no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus.” The New Testament teaches plainly that the saint may be assured of the gift of everlasting life while still in this mortal life.
I believe the same things they do about salvation through Christ alone, by God’s grace alone, by faith alone. However, the Bible says other things as well. It doesn’t just speak of these things. It also speaks of human responsibility. And if the language of the Bible in which we find so much comfort is to be taken as it stands, then that same language which threatens apostasy with judgment must be taken as it stands (and yes, I mean that in light of the principle of analogia scripturae). Otherwise, there is no real threat and there is no real assurance, either. It’s the same Book, believed on the same assumptions.
I think those who see the warnings of the New Testament as simply hypothetical, are failing to recognise the different view points which the New Testament takes on the subject of our salvation. From the standpoint of the divine decree and the divine action in Christ, our salvation is done. The elect are secure. Jesus will lose none of those whom the Father has given to Him. Period. From the standpoint of human history (which is the whole approach of Hebrews), perseverance in the faith and the perseverance of faith are necessary elements of our salvation, or else whole swaths of Scripture are void, along with human responsibility. Without human responsibility, the Judgment to come is mere ceremony; it is no real Judgment. I’m sorry, I can’t see God having a Judgment that is not real.
Do I deny assurance of salvation? Of course not! But whence do we find our assurance? One finds his assurance, in all it boundless and objective richness, in the divine promises and the completed work of Christ. Yet, the believer, at the same time – if his faith is worth anything – heeds the warnings of His God (the same God who promises salvation in Christ) and does not presume upon His promises, nor will he neglect his God-given duties.
I’m assured of my salvation because of Christ’s word and work. Because I am sure that He really is Who He says He is, and He really has done for me what He says He has done, I cling to this infinitely valuable hope, but not with mere assent or sentiment. I act upon it, for, simply by faith, I believe the Scriptures: “faith without works is dead.” I believe God said that because it’s possible to be deceived about one’s faith (see Matthew 7). Don’t want that to happen to me! And I’m sure it will not, because “faithful is He who has promised; who will also do it.”
This does not neatly fit in certain systems of Christian thought, but I believe it is what God has declared in the Holy Scriptures, our only divine rule of faith and practice. God uses means to bring about His decrees and He calls us to faithful participation in the fulfilment of His plans for the Church. What we do matters, otherwise all His exhortations and commands are mere words - hypothesis. Try and figure it all out in all its details and you will wind up denying portions of Scripture. Just believe Him and plunge into the mystery of the wonders of God.
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