The Race Set Before Us--mmebs 8

The Race Set Before Us 1

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The Race Set Before Us Chapter 7 Running with Confidence

Being Assured that We Shall Win the Prize 3

Running with Confidence

Being Assured That We Shall Win the Prize

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We have insisted throughout this book that the New Testament directs its admonitions and warnings to believers. We have also argued that these warnings do not merely threaten believers with losing rewards but that eternal life itself is at stake. Biblical writers frequently warn believers that if they turn away from Jesus Christ they will experience eternal judgment. If believers apostatize their destiny is the lake of fire, the second death, hell. These warnings cannot be waved aside and relegated to those who are not genuine Christians. They are directed to believers and must be headed for us to be saved on the last day. We will win the prize of eternal life if we run the race to the end. If we quit during the middle of the race, we will not receive eternal life (TRSBU, p. 268). 5

If we are correct in saying that the warnings and admonitions of Scripture are for believers, and if we are right in saying that eternal life is at stake, then how can believers have any assurance of salvation in the present? (TRSBU, p. 268).

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Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. . . . Therefore, do not cast aside your confidence, which possesses a great reward. For you have need of perseverance in order that, after you have done God’s will, you may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36).

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Warnings!

2:1-4

3:5-4:13

6:4-12

10:26-31

12:14-29

Five Warnings in Hebrews

Five Warnings in Hebrews 12:14-29 10:26-31 6:4-12 3:5-4:13 2:1-4

Lest we refuse to hear & be punished

Lest we sin willfully & be consumed by God

Lest we fall away & not be able to repent

Lest we harden our hearts & fail to enter God’s rest

Lest we drift away & not escape God’s punishment

Warnings!

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4 Views on Warnings in Hebrews: Who is Being Addressed?

False Believers who never were saved: People who have heard the gospel and may even profess faith in Jesus Christ but who really are not saved, these are the ones being addressed. Genuine Believers who lose salvation: Ones who may sin by ignoring the gospel and salvation to such an extent that they lose salvation. Real Believers who lose only “rewards”: Ones who are warned against the possible loss of “rewards,” not the possible loss of salvation. Authentic Believers who must persevere in order to be saved: Being “saved” is not a static existence; it is dynamic and growing. The warning does not imply uncertainty or doubt concerning the outcome of those who are warned. Rather, the warning serves to avoid the horrible outcome from which we are warned. Warnings serve as one of God’s means by which he secures the final salvation of his people.

Warnings!

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4 Views on Assurance in Hebrews: How do Warnings & Assurance Correlate?

False Believers who never were saved: Tests of Genuineness View. Assurance is not integral to saving faith. It is possible that we have been deluded to think we are saved, so in order to feel the impact of the warnings, we need to suspend assurance. So, we can be confident today that we have salvation today. We cannot be assured today about salvation tomorrow or the Last Day. Genuine Believers who lose salvation: Loss of Salvation View. Assurance is not integral to saving faith. The warnings of the gospel are given to make it clear to us that it is possible that we can sin and thus lose our salvation. So, we can be confident today that we have salvation today. We cannot be assured today about salvation tomorrow or the Last Day. Real Believers who lose only “rewards”: Loss of Rewards View. Assurance is integral to saving faith. The warnings are given to make it clear to us that it is possible that we can sin and thus lose our rewards which have nothing to do with salvation. So, even if we live in sin and fail to persevere in faith, we can be sure that we are saved today and will be saved for eternity. Authentic Believers who must persevere in order to be saved: Means of Salvation View. Assurance is integral to saving faith. The warnings of the gospel do not imply uncertainty or doubt but rather they warn us to avoid the horrible and invariable consequence of failing to persevere in obedience to Christ. The gospel’s warnings serve God’s promise; they function as one of God’s means by which he secures the final salvation of his people. Because warnings and promise function together to the same end, assurance of salvation is not merely confidence that we have salvation today but that we shall receive salvation in the Last Day.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV). 13

Assurance of our inheritance does not nullify the force of the admonitions and warnings in Scripture. The admonitions and warnings of the Scriptures threaten believers with eternal judgment for apostasy, but these warnings do not violate assurance and confidence regarding final salvation. Our thesis is that the warnings do not cancel out assurance for believers. The exhortations and admonitions are, in fact, compatible with assurance regarding the final salvation We would go further. The warnings, admonitions and exhortations are a means of producing a firm and assured confidence in believers. The warnings do not rob us of assurance. They are signposts along the marathon runner’s pathway that help us maintain our confidence. Our confidence in our future inheritance increases when we pay heed to the exhortations delivered in the Scriptures (TRSBU, p. 269). 14

Our assurance of salvation entails a threelegged stool. Why a three-legged stool? Stability. An imperfect illustration, for the promises of God are central. 15

Holy Spirit’s Fruit

Assurance of Salvation

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