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 Father’s 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, change—not
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 God’s.
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. Don’t tell me you are saved and quit.
d. The Bible says it doesn’t 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 won’t 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 pastor’s
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 aren’t 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 comfort’s sake, for freedom’s
sake, for life’s 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!
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