Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Marsha's Musings: If...But We Are Not (Hebrews 10:39 NKJV)

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39 NKJV)

After saying in verse 26, "...if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins...", he then says, "But we are not of those who draw back..."

It seems clear to me that in light of verse 39, verse 26 is not teaching that we can lose our salvation. It's more of a "what if" statement.  Those who have believed Jesus are saved.  It's not saying we will not sin. I believe he is talking about those who habitually sin in a willful manner.  This is not going to characterize a true believer. Therefore, it's probably true that if a person has a knowledge of the truth, even joining with the church and appearing to be saved, but then rejects it and goes back to living in willful sin with no thought or desire for repentance, then there is no more sacrifice for sin for them. 

Of course it is not our place to decide who is in this condition and who is not. God knows those who are His and it's possible He will save some who we think are completely and hopelessly lost.

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