The preserving of the soul
“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39 NASBS
With great confidence, the author of Hebrews wrote to strengthen the first-century church, encouraging them to persevere until the end. His confidence in them is evident in the words, “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”
When he says, “shrink back to destruction,” he is describing those who are trusting in works as a means of being justified in the sight of God. However for these Christians, His confidence was not based on anything they had done or any merit earned through outward ordinances.
Instead, it rested solely on the sovereign grace of God. The author understands that the inspired words, spoken through him by the Holy Spirit, will work powerfully in the hearts of those who are truly saved, eliminating any belief in their own achievements regarding salvation.
Like the apostle Paul, they are compelled by the love of Jesus Christ to strive against sin and to submit their entire lives to Him.
I continue to write this as a reminder because it goes against the natural thinking of fallen human nature. Like Cain, a tiller of the ground, who sought to be justified by his own efforts, so all who are born from the seed of man have an inherent desire to please God through some form of meritorious work.
Cain knew that what God required at that time was a substitutionary sacrifice—a life for a life—to be acceptable to Him, yet he offered an offering from the fruit of the ground. You see, after long hours of clearing the ground, removing thorns and thistles, and enduring the heat of the day, Cain took pride in what he had accomplished. So, at the appointed time for worship, he brought an offering from the ground to the Lord. However, while the Lord accepted Abel’s blood offering, He had no regard for Cain’s. The Scriptures tell us that Cain never overcame the sin of pride which was seeking to consume him. In fact, it drove him to such hatred toward the Lord that he lured his brother Abel into a field and killed him.
In this brief devotion, my prayer is that everyone who professes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will take a deep, honest look at their life to discern what they are truly trusting in for salvation. I say this because of the deceitfulness of sin, which tempts us to seek our own merit in pleasing God. I have had the privilege of speaking with many people who have misunderstood the gospel of Jesus Christ, placing their trust in baptism, communion, confirmation, church membership, and other ordinances as a means of justification before God. While these ordinances are not inherently wrong, they cannot save anyone apart from regeneration— the effectual work of God upon the heart. At the end of the age, the only thing that truly matters is this: Are you in Jesus Christ? Is He your everything? May we echo the words of the hymn writer: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”