Hebrews 10: A better sacrifice, a better way of living day by day and a warning of judgment

Hebrews 10: A better sacrifice, a better way of living day by day and a warning of judgment

Over ten years ago I wrote a short article looking at controversial verses in Hebrew 6 that those of the “Perseverance Salvation” camp like to quote, to show that after one is saved, he must endure to the end or be lost. This incorrect idea is fully disproved when one studies the full context of all the scriptures.

Also, many so-called teachers completely ignore the teaching of rewards and overcoming -- which neither involve the believer’s eternal security. These two scriptural tenets each explain many, many difficult bible passages.

More on that later . . .

Back to Hebrews 10 and verses 26-31 and 38 and 39 . . .

When you reread these verses, over and over, you will not find a clear indication that the eternal security of one’s salvation is in question here. What is repeatedly indicated is God’s righteous judgment of one who perpetually sins or “shrinks back”. What is actually being discussed is, yet again, as was earlier discussed in Hebrews 6, the importance of obedience, maturity and going on into fullness in Christ. To refuse, to rebel, to stagnate, to “shrink back” from a righteous, yet difficult path one has begun in Christ, will be mercifully judged in one’s current life span and again at the “family meeting”, merciful judgment seat of Christ Himself – at the Bema Seat. This special judgment seat time for believer’s, is not the Great White Throne judgment of the unredeemed. It is a unique, not widely discussed, judgment concerning rewards and overcoming.

Now what about the “saving of the soul” in verse 39? A quick reading of various versions of this verse seem to indicate one’s being able to maintain the security of their eternal salvation by not being one who will “shrink back”. I will answer that question soon.

And what of the destruction or perdition that awaits the ones who do “shrink back”? Sounds pretty dire to me . . .

You have to look at the original Greek text for these nebulous terms as the English translation just doesn’t clearly address what Paul is actually stating here.

Okay then, so the English word used, “perdition” or “destruction” does not mean – “going to Hell” or the final judgment of the Lake of Fire – nope. In the Greek text, “perdition” means --  ruin -- a current lifespan result and again the merciful judgment comes into play here. As I stated in my old article on Hebrews 6, God will not suffer His children to live in sin and “shrink back”. He will eventually intervene with judgment. What we sow, we reap.

Our wayward actions can indeed ruin our current lives -- yet this again is not about losing one’s eternal salvation. The Lord allows ruin to wake us up and mercifully point us back to The Path we have left. This is the very best explanation concerning those who “shrink back” and plunge themselves into ruin, into ruin, into destruction. And yes, if the judgment of ruin does not eventually bring repentance in a believer – even physical death is possible – and the inevitable loss of rewards. Yet, amazingly so, this poor, sad and disobedient child is eternally secure in the superior sacrifice of Jesus Christ, their Brother. They are always destined and sealed as being one of the “family” in the eternal family of God.

Nothing can pluck us out of being in Christ and hidden in the mighty hand of God. We cannot even “jump out” as some “lose your salvation” types will assert is possible! Yes, I have had this very phrase said to me!

Now, that all that is pretty straightforward, I think – so what about the “saving of the soul” in verse 39? What does the Greek text indicate?

The word for “saving” does not refer to the saving of the soul for eternity but refers to one’s current lifespan. It instead refers to “preservation” or “keeping safe” one’s soul-life, (that is being sanctified daily), in this “now and here” aspect of one’s life and refers not to for all eternity. This interpretation ties in or dovetails nicely with that avoiding “perdition” or ruin, the Writer of Hebrews just referred to earlier. This “saving of the soul” phrase means day-by-day, staying on The Path and not being one of those who “shrink back”. Now isn’t that a much clearer of an understanding that theologically syncs up with all the teaching of the scripture?

I stated in my Hebrews 6 article that Hebrews was written for the first century Jewish believers so you will see many references in Hebrews 10, to many things specific to the Jewish religion that the Writer contrasts and compares to the superiority of Christ’s one-time for eternity, sacrifice. He quotes the Old Testament repeatedly and explains that this same God of the Old Testament has not changed, even after the coming of Christ. He is still all-righteous and deeply detests sin and judges it in mercy through the work of His Son.

As is said, “God's wheels of judgment grind exceeding slow, but they grind exceeding fine.” This reaping of what we sow is a fearful thing – this falling into the hands of the living God is nothing to be scoffed at!

Now verses 26-27 are indicating to the Jewish believer as was also done in Hebrews 6 earlier – there is no more second or repeated or Jewish-type, ritual cleansing, sacrifice in Christ, for one continuing in “willfully sinning”, in a defiant continuance in a life of sins day after day. No additional sacrifices are being made like the Jewish believer’s mind might easily assume. In Christ, the Sacrifice is once for all time for all sin. One who is living daily while “willfully sinning”, faces certain discipline and judgment. Notice in verse 30, following the thought-flow of this passage, it states “The Lord will judge his people”. Though written to Jewish Christians, the words here are worth paying attention to for all believers.

The Lord does not condemn His children to eternal Hell – but faithfully and mercifully disciplines them each as warranted by His eternal purpose. We are not on a “hallelujah hayride” on this Earth, just coasting along. Our glorious salvation has put us all on The Path, even if we didn’t realize it when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The “easy gospel” preached to many today typically does not discuss The Path, obedience, suffering, overcoming and pressing forward to the prize,

And now to finally “wind things up” on this subject of the controversial passages in Hebrews  . . .

Various main interpretational camps exist concerning Hebrews chapters 6 and 10.

Here they are:

1)   These writings are meant only for Hebrews/Jews considering their accepting Christ but are also thinking of returning back to and adhering yet again to Judaism. It is a warning not to turn back to the old ways.

2)   These writings are for Christians needing to persevere, (“Perseverance Salvation”), in the faith and endure to the end to avoid losing their salvation. (This is what I call “Jesus and . . .” mentality. Believe in Jesus but also you must obey aka “works” to be 100% saved. Get baptized, go to church every time the doors are open, tithe 10%, don’t sin and all those types of things will help secure your place in eternity with God.)

3)   These difficult passages all refer to people who heard all the wonderful Gospel message but decide to turn away and live their lives as being their own god, being the captain of their own souls – taking their chance, hoping that the Gospel is just a nice story but is not meant for them.

4)   These writings are written to Jewish converts, believers needing to fully understand walking in obedience and faithfully seeking maturity after trusting in Jesus Christ their Savior. The words  are to ones whom the Writer doesn’t want to “shrink back”.

Interpretations 1, 2 and 3 do not really discuss how the obedience in faith relates also to the teaching of rewards and an overcoming faith being so important. Interpretation 4 does not always fully discuss rewards or overcoming but is indeed mentioned by some commentators.

I have found that often, when I encounter a passage that seems to indicate one possibly losing their salvation – typically the passage can more accurately be explained as referring to loss of rewards or missing out on attaining that heavenly “high calling” in Christ that Paul wrote of in Philippians 3:14.

Of all the books and teachings I have encountered discussing rewards as discussed in the bible, one book that is the clearest and most concise is Grace in Eclipse: A Study on Eternal Rewards by the late Zane C. Hodges, an authority in original Greek text and bible scholar. He was most well known for standing up against the concept of recent Lordship Salvation teachings, yet another “Jesus and . . .” idea.

As far as my interpretation of Hebrews 10’s controversial verses, I am firmly in camp 4 but also adhering firmly to the tenets of rewards and overcoming, which help cement my even view more so. Yet, as always, I remain open to further revelation and deeper truth as the Spirit chooses to reveal. I hope this article serves to answer adequately any question(s) about Hebrews 10 you might have had previously.

God bless your walk with the Lord Jesus.