Spiritual Security

Introduction. (Hebrews 6:9-20) All people seek security in life, health, finances. How can we have spiritual security? Let’s consider what this text teaches us.

I. God Does Not Forget Our Work And Labor of Love (6:9-10).

  1. God is a just God, who does not forget. Illustration: I heard a song on the radio for the first time this week that brought a tear to my eye. The song describes a young girl leaving home for the first time and her mother giving her a send off. After talking about what the girl needs to take care of she says “don’t forget to remember me.” Later in the song as the girl faces the challenges of life she goes to God in prayer and the same words are repeated - “don’t forget to remember me.” In Christ we can be assured that God will never forget to remember us.
  2. This is a great source of comfort. (Hebrews 8:12) A part of the promise of the New Covenant is that God will no longer remember our sins, but he will never forget us. (II Chronicles 16:9) Put this picture in your mind. God, looking the world over, seeking out those hearts “loyal” to him. What does He desire to do? “Show Himself strong on behalf” of them. (Acts 10:1-6). If God noticed and appreciated the “prayers”Êand “alms” of a Gentile, hard, Roman officer in command of 100 other soldiers -- we can know that He will remember those who have fled for refuge to the blood of His Son. In each of these texts we notice some things...
  • He forgets the sin of those in covenant with Him.
  • He is strong on behalf of those loyal to Him.
  • Cornelius’ prayers & alms were noticed by God but Cornelius had to do somethig in response. So we see...

    • II. We Must Show Diligence, Faith and Patience (6:11-12).

    1. The Hebrew writer’s desire. Notice throughout the book the emphasis upon this idea. (3:6, 14; 5:11; 6:15). It would be a mistake to imagine that Hebrews 6 is an isolated text which suggests our responsibility to remain faithful in order to feel spiritually secure. It is a theme that runs throughout the Bible.
    2. These qualities are necessary for spiritual security. (II Peter 1:5, 10-11) Note: make your calling “sure.” (Rev. 2:10) Some try to suggest that the idea is to the point of death i.e. facing persecution. This may or may not be what is being addressed, but think about it -- if the Lord expects us to be faithful in the face of persecution would He expect less of us in the day to day affairs of life? (Rom. 2:7) Note: “continuance.” The false doctrine of “Once saved always saved” suggests you don’t have to continue. That is unscriptural. (Heb. 10:36). Note: After you have “done the will of God” -- we can feel secure when we do God’s will. Without it there is no security.

    III. God Keeps His Promises (6:13-20).

    1. God’s promise to Abraham (Heb. 6:13-15). Note: Abraham endured patiently then obtained the promise just as we must. We can be confident that we will obtain the promise because of the very nature of God (16-18a). Note: “impossible” (Titus 1:2). Note: “cannot lie.”
           We often forget this about God. We think He is like us. You get a human being into a “jam,” in a bad mood, or under enough pressure -- they may lie. God will not, does not and cannot! Why is is that we can know that we must remain faithful in order to be saved? Because God cannot lie! Why is it that we can know that when we have been faithful to Him we can be saved? Because God cannot lie!
    2. God’s faithfulness is our assurance. (Hebrews 6:18b-20) Note: This hope is an “anchor for the soul” -- “sure” and “steadfast. (I Timothy 1:1) While faithfulness is our obligation that does not suggest that our hope rests in ourselves -- Christ is our hope. (Psalm 110:4). He is a priest “forever.” There is no other source of hope -- no other source of security!