Hebrews 3:6 – Hold Tightly – Bible study

Hebrews 3:6 Hold Tightly Notice the phrase in this verse, "hold fast." It is a phrase most often used as a metaphor to say "cling to this tightly." In other words, this is something you want to hang onto. If it is something you are doing, keep doing it. If this is something you have, it is valuable and you should hang onto it. We are very familiar with God telling us to let go of things. He tells us to let go of our sins, to let go of this world, to let go of our selfishness, to let go of our pride, and on the list goes; but here, God is talking to Christians and saying hang onto these things. The command itself indicates that something may try to remove it from us, perhaps by force. It may be that something will attempt to pry these things from our grip. God is telling us to hold onto it. What things does God want us to hang onto. I. We need to hang on to our salvation. A. That is a strange thing for us to see in the Bible. 1. We know that we are saved by grace not by any of our works. 2. Yet, the writer of this book tells us to hang onto the confidence (assurance, faith) that we have in our salvation and the rejoicing unto the end. 3. A similar sentiment is given by the writer of Hebrews in some other verses. Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 4. Here are three Bible verses which seem to all tell us that we have to exert some energy in order to be saved, the first telling us that we must do so until the end. 5. What can these verses mean? B. Some believe that the writer of Hebrews is telling us that we can lose our salvation. 1. I reject that thought simply because it conflicts with other Bible passages. 2. Understand, I do not reject it because it conflicts with my preconceived notions, but because it conflicts with other Bible passages. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. 1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 3. Now, these two seemingly opposing lines of thought must be dealt with. a. You can say the Bible has contradictions and dismiss the whole things. b. You can believe you can lose your salvation and dismiss the Bible verse which tell you can not. c. Or you can find the true meaning for these verses in Hebrews. C. What could this writer in Hebrews mean? 1. I have studied the book. 2. The writer of this book is concerned that some in that locality are not saved. 3. He is telling them that the only proof of salvation is the changed life, a permanent, powerful, changenot baptism, not membership, not even suffering for Jesus. 4. He is saying that if they are saved, they will complete the course. 5. If they are not saved, they will lose their confidence in God and their joy in His business. D. I will tell you the same thing. 1. The only proof of your salvation is the permanent, powerful, changed life. 2. If you are saved, you will complete your course. 3. If you quit, you were never Gods. 4. So hold fast your profession of faith, keep you confidence in Jesus, keep your joy in His salvation! 5. Every year I seem some quit! a. Some just quit our church to go to a different one but some just quit. b. I fear for the quitters. c. Dont tell me you are saved and quit. d. The Bible says it doesnt work that way. II. We need to hang on to sound words. 2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. A. That means we need to hang on to sound doctrine. 1. Throughout the whole Bible, God has warned us to cling to the truth. Proverbs 3:21 My son, let not them (words of truth) depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 2. But the Bible also warns us that the time will come when people will not hold onto them! 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. B. This nation has turned from wanting to hear the Word of God. 1. People are more interested in the bobble-headed preacher than the Bible preaching preacher. 2. The bobble head just bounces up and down in approval of anything. It is the ultimate YES man. C. God still says NO. 1. Homosexuality is wrong no matter how many states or countries approve of it. 2. Adultery is still wrong no matter how many preachers commit it. 3. Laziness and the "something for nothing" attitude are still a sin no how much our government pushes us toward it. 4. Blasphemy and profanity are still sinful no matter how many people use them. 5. Nudity and immodesty are still sinful no matter how many books, magazines, and movies promote it. D. Hang onto the truth no matter how many people call you old-fashioned, bigoted, or an extremist. (By the way, at some point they will quit hurling names at us and start hurling other things, but just stick to the Book. E. By the way, that is the only reason we believe what we believe. 1. What we believe has nothing to do with our philosophy, beliefs, or thoughts. 2. We are called upon to live and to adhere to the Bible no matter what the costs. III. We need to hang on to our righteousness. Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. A. Job is a different kind of book. 1. Job was a righteous man but he was being afflicted by God as if he were a wicked man. 2. Three of his friends came along and told him to confess to his sins and then God would forgiven him and bless him. a. Job just was not getting good advice. b. His wife said, "Curse God and die." c. His friends said, "Curse yourself and live." 3. His response was he had not sinned and he would not say that he had. 4. I think there were several thoughts to his reasoning. a. His integrity – Job was a righteousness man and he would not lie even if it would stop his suffering. b. Pride – Job seems to be a bit proud of the fact that he was a righteous man, even haughty toward God. While he was a righteous man, a little humility is not a bad thing. B. But the bottom line is that Job will not do wrong, no matter what! He is only going to do the right things by God. 1. We need to have the same grit and determination to do right no matter what it costs us. 2. I say again, it probably wont be long until the world is hurling more at us than just insults. 3. Will you do wrong even if it costs you? a. Suppose your tithe is no longer tax exempt? They are already talking about doing away the pastors home deductions because of their supposed conflict between church and state. How long before they consider the tithe a valuable tax asset? Do you tithe because it is right or because it is a tax deduction? b. Suppose to be a member of a church that preaches the Bible puts you on a surveillance list? Those who believe the Bible are already considered by some to be extremists, radicals, and potential terrorists? Suppose your passport was removed or your travel limited because of the church you belong to? Suppose you lose your job? c. Suppose reading the Bible to your children is suddenly deemed unhealthy or even criminal with the penalty being the children would be removed from your home if you continue? 4. I am not trying to unduly frighten you just make you figure the potential costs of doing right. a. The Bible says hold onto your righteous works. b. If you are doing something because it is right, at what point would you consider giving it up or would you at any point? c. If there are some things that arent worth the suffering that might be afflicted upon you to do, you need to decide what they are ahead of time because in the heat of the moment, that line just might get blurred. I know I often sound like the prophet of doom and despair, but it is only because I see the potential in things going further downhill rather than up. We have this opportunity to make some decision about what we will and will not give up for comforts sake, for freedoms sake, for lifes sake. I am reminded what Patrick Henry said in a speech in 1775 to the Virginia House. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death! Our country was built on the blood of those who thought some things are right and some things are wrong and the right things are worth dying for! That is a spirit that should have never left the church, but if it has, we must most certainly get it back!