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. . . if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. (NASB) Heb. 3:6 |
Does this sound like a Christian can lose his or her salvation? Some think so! If you are wondering too, a few Greek words will help. The root Greek word for “hold fast” is KATECHO, which means “to retain” or “to grasp.” So we get the idea “to hold fast.” The root Greek word for “firm” is BEBAIOS. It means “steadfast, secure or binding.” So the verse implies that we must grasp or hold on to salvation securely until the end. In just a few verses, we find Hebrews 3:14 has the same idea and uses almost the same words.
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For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; (NASB) Heb. 3:14 |
But here the Greek word for “become,” GINOMAI, is the key to our puzzle. It is a perfect indicative active verb. This means that the one who holds on fast is a person who became a Christian and continues to be a Christian. The perfect tense is a ray of light. Once the ray of light leaves the sun, it continues traveling forever in outer space. This is the mark of true Christians. They continue believing and believing. They hold on to Jesus - firm - until the end. This is not a new teaching found only in the book of Hebrews.
Jesus’ Illustration. Many New Testament passages tell us that the mark of a true Christian is that he or she continues in the faith. Here are two examples.
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And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (NASB) Matt. 10:22
. . . if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (NASB) Col. 1:23
. . . Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NASB) Rev. 2:10 |
These verses echo the Lord’s teaching of the sower of the seed in Matthew 13:19-23. In the parable, the Lord tells us about four types of soil: soil on the side of the road, rocky soil, thorny soil, and good soil. The soil by the road side is symbolic of people who hear the Word of God and do not understand it.
The rocky soil represents the person who hears the Word of God joyfully but because of persecutions and trials does not continue. This person cannot accept rejection, slander, insults, and trials as a Christian. This person was never real because he or she “immediately” fell away.
The third soil - soil with thorns - symbolizes people who are not really Christians. Money, possessions, and worries of the world cause them to leave. This person is described as becoming “unfruitful.”
The last soil is good soil. This person hears the Word and “ bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty” (Matt. 13:23). This person is the true Christian. The true Christian continues and produces fruit in his/her life. Riches, persecution and the trials of life may impact the true Christian, but true Christians continue in the faith. This is the message of 1 John 2:19. |
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