20 Living by Faith

In the concluding verses of Hebrews 10, the author continues the point he’d previously made regarding how believers are to live by faith regardless of contrary circumstances.

The author continued to contrast the lives of those who lived under the Old Covenant with those who live according to that which is available in Christ in the New Covenant.

The author begins this final section by issuing another exhortation:

1 A Renewed Warning

The first warning, is to abide, in light of those who continue to deliberately sin:

Hebrews 10:26-27

Many often look at this as one of those “difficult” passages in Hebrews. The problem results from the fact, that in one sense, every sin can be thought of as willful sin. Which on the surface might lead to the belief that one’s salvation might be in jeopardy.

Yet, the author was neither referring to loss of salvation, nor to the sins which we all commit. But should remember contextually what we saw earlier in the chapter, that the believers of that period were under great pressure both from Rome and the Jewish leaders.

Unfortunately, this had led to many desiring to no longer identify as believers, and even returning to the Old Covent sacrificial system of worship.

Because Jesus is the ultimate, and only sacrifice for sin, by rejecting Him, there would no longer be a sacrifice for their sins.

2 Dangers in Rejection

The author spoke of two types of rejection, and the inherent dangers they pose:

1 Samuel 10:28-31

The first example (verse 28), referred to those under the Old Covenant, and if they rejected the Law, and if two or three individuals would attest to the individual’s actions, the Law allowed for their execution.

Then in verse 29, he compared rejection of the Old Covenant rejecting the Old Covenant to that which is far worse, rejecting Jesus and the New Covenant which He established by His blood shed at Calvary.

The ideas presented in verses 28 and 29, bring us back to what he’d established previously:

Hebrews 10:26

Those who reject Christ and the New Covenant, have sadly rejected the only covenant which can save them.

In verse 29, the author used an interesting phrase, “…counted the blood of the covenant…”

It presented two interesting factors:

• First, it shows a lack of regard for the blood of Christ, essentially treating it no different that that of anyone else.
• That attitude who then show that Christ’s blood would not be regarded as reeding blood.

The author then speaks of those who’ve followed that path, as having “insulted the Spirit of grace?”

When someone rejects the work of Christ, they “insult” or offend the Holy Spirit, who always points to Christ.

Verses 30 and 31 present another of those difficult texts:

Hebrews 10:30-31

The problem is found in the English translations which use the word “vengeance” which interestingly doesn’t appear in the original Greek manuscripts.

The original Greek refers to it being the “full rendering of justice to all parties.”

Next, the text mentions the gravity of having to face God once having rejected God’s love, displayed through Christ.

3 Reasons for Encouragement

Next, the author speaks of reasons for believers to find encouragement, even when going through difficult circumstances:

Hebrews 10:32-37

As part of his encouragement for them, the author encouraged them to think back to their salvation before their faith had begun to fail.

We see that in the phrase “after you were illumined” which speaks of when they came to faith.

The author then should personal identification with these persecuted believers, as he spoke of how they had compassion for him because of his “chains.”

He then spoke of how these believers suffered the plundering of their possessions at the hands of the Romans, but that that had far greater possessions stored in heaven.

This recalls the words of Jesus:

Matthew 6:19-20

The bottom line was that because of the great pressure and persecution they faced, the church was in danger of “casting away” their hope in Christ, which would have meant returning to a more distant approach to the Lord by returning to the Old Covenant.

The author then stated what the believers need most at this time, was endurance:

Hebrews 10:36

Endurance does not happen when things are going well, but comes from difficulties and trials:

James 1:2-4

The Greek word hupomene means to bear up under pressure, and can literally be described as having “patient endurance”.

Therefore, endurance is necessary for all spiritual growth, and it only develops as we go through the difficulties of life.

In verse 37, the author then provides the additional encouragement, with the reminder that Jesus will return.

To that end, the early church used an Aramaic word “maranatha” which meant “O Lord come” or “Lord come quickly”, whenever they would depart company with one another.

4 Living by Faith

Hebrews 10:38-39

The author quoted a very familiar scripture, to speak of the need for faithful living:

Habakkuk 2:4

It was a familiar text, since it was quoted three times in the New Testament, and in each instance, it was to highlight a separate aspect of the believer’s need to live by faith:

• Romans 1:17 emphasizes the need for faith
• Galatians 3:11 emphasizes those who are “just”.
• Hebrews 10:38 emphasizes “live” which speaks of moving forward and growing.

All aspects are opposed to falling back and resorting to once again living under Old Covenant ceremonies and laws.

In verse 39, the author mentions “to the saving of the soul” which isn’t speaking of salvation, but here, the Greek word refers to “complete possession” which shows that the believer is completely the Lord’s – His possession.