The Preserving of the Soul
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THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL
THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL
HEBREWS 10:26-39
INTRODUCTION
We need to approach this section of Hebrews with tremendous caution. It is very important for us to remind ourselves the book of Hebrews was written primarily to the Jewish people. This in no way means these words do not or cannot apply to each of us, but it does mean we must remember to whom it was written and why. It is also important for us to remember the writer of Hebrews was trying to teach the Jewish people how the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was superior to the Old Testament sacrificial system. If we do not keep these two things in mind, we will be led down the pathway of believing one can be saved and later lose their salvation. We might say this another way. We might believe one can be born again and later be unborn again. There is no possibility of this happening.
It is also important for us to remember the writer of Hebrews was trying to teach the Jewish people how the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was superior to the Old Testament sacrificial system.
THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL FROM WILLFUL SIN
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.
The first thing we read in this section is a warning about committing willful sin after receiving a knowledge of the truth. The knowledge of the truth is Jesus is the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. No other sacrifice has the power to cleanse sins. This is the reason the writer is telling his readers if they reject Jesus “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” When a person chooses to reject Jesus, the only thing they can expect is “a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.” The judgment of God can be avoided because Jesus went to the cross and shed His blood as the only sacrifice for our sins.
INTRODUCTION
WILLFUL SIN
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.
Hebrews
THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL FROM DEATH WITHOUT MERCY
28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
This can be found in the book of Deuteronomy.
6 “On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
The writer uses an Old Testament teaching to help his readers to understand how the punishment will be much more sever for those who have trampled the blood of Jesus under their feet in order to hold on to the Old Testament sacrificial system.
29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
When a person chose to elevate an Old Testament sacrifice above the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, he considered His sacrifice to be unclean. In other words, the blood of the New Covenant by which the person was sanctified was considered unclean. It was also an insult to the Spirit of grace when one elevated the blood of animals above the blood of Jesus.
Hebrews
Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 2. A Warning to Avoid God’s Judgment (vv. 26–31)
These phrases contain a warning to professing believers who were threatening to turn against Christ. Any who turned from Christ could expect divine judgment and eternal rejection.
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
The Heavenly Father is the one who will avenge the blood of Jesus through death without mercy. We know this to be the second death.
When we come to God, we do not want to receive his judgment but his mercy. The result of falling into God’s hands is fearful. The apostate who experiences God’s hand in judgment should know that it would be a frightening experience. The anticipation of judgment by the living God should fill sinners with dread (see ).
Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 2. A Warning to Avoid God’s Judgment (vv. 26–31)
When we come to God, we do not want to receive his judgment but his mercy. The result of falling into God’s hands is fearful. The apostate who experiences God’s hand in judgment should know that it would be a frightening experience. The anticipation of judgment by the living God should fill sinners with dread (see Heb. 12:29).
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 189.
THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL THROUGH LIVING BY FAITH
32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
Hebrews 10:31
32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
Hebrews 10:32-34
32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 3. A Commendation to All Who Persevere (vv. 32–39)
These verses urged the readers to remember the days after their conversion when they stood their ground while they faced threats to their faith. They were to remember their previous record. What a positive record it had been!
They had refused to compromise when they faced persecution for their faith. Sometimes they had become publicly exposed to insult and persecution. They had endured scorn and threats from crowds. The words of 12:4 suggest that they had not yet suffered martyrdom.
33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
Hebrews
34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 3. A Commendation to All Who Persevere (vv. 32–39)
The confidence of these believers had caused them to endure much suffering. They were urged, “Don’t throw away your confidence which will bring you great reward.” They were already receiving a reward in their present steadfastness. They could expect even greater reward in the future. God’s goodness and faithfulness would make their rewards certain.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
They were encouraged to live their lives by faith because they needed to endure. They would be rewarded for living by faith and enduring the sufferings of this life.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
3 “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. 4 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
Hebrews 10:
Living by faith is the only possible way to please the Lord Jesus.
Habakkuk 2:3-4
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 3. A Commendation to All Who Persevere (vv. 32–39)
This chapter of Hebrews closes with an expression of blazing confidence. These believers were not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. The stern warnings were an effort to prod the readers of Hebrews to faithful commitment.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
The one thing we can be sure of in our walk with the Lord is His sacrifice was sufficient for the cleansing of our sins. The preserving of our soul can only be possible through faith in Jesus and His atoning work on the cross. There is no other sacrifice for our sins. The preserving of our soul produces the ability to endure persecutions and hardships. Our life of faith also helps us to have love in our hearts for others, especially those who are experiencing persecution and hardships in their lives.
Prepared for First Baptist Church Oakdale - August 20, 2017