Conducting a Spiritual Physical Pt 2

Dying and Growth (Pt. 2)
Hebrews 6:9-20
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.”
The phrase, “one which enters within the veil,”  has profound implications for the Jewish reader.  It speaks of the hope and desire of all the followers of God.  The veil refers to the barrier that separates the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple and separates the people from the presence of God.  To enter within the veil was to enter God's presence and enjoy his company. This was the desire of all people.  To enter the inner sanctuary behind the veil was to realize God’s promise of rest from our efforts to gain salvation (see Hebrews 3:11,18,19; 4:1-11).  To be able to go into the presence of God was to fully receive our salvation.  Having warned of the dangers of neglecting the offer of God’s salvation, we are now given hope.  In verse 9, we discover hope and assurance after the warning in verse 6.  The writer reminds us that the warning does not apply to those who have accepted the offer of salvation.  This offer is secure, not because of our abilities, but because of two “unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie” (vs. 18).  These two things become our future and encouragement.  They are the hope that we have as an anchor of the soul. The word “anchor” refers to the stability and security a strong anchor gives the ship amid a storm.  We have a source of stability and steadfastness for our faith that withstands all the struggles and storms of life-threatening our faith and our security in Christ.  

The first anchor of our faith is the unchanging character of God (vs. 13).  When a covenant was made, it was affirmed by appealing to a higher authority responsible for holding the parties accountable to be faithful to the promise.  However, with God, no higher authority would bind him to the promise and hold him responsible (vs. 16).  Therefore, he swore by his character. In other words, the only way the promise would be invalidated is if God ceases to exist. Since God cannot change and He is eternal, the covenant with Abraham is eternal and irrevocable. The Abrahamic Covenant, which promised His eternal blessing on Israel and the salvation for Gentiles, is grounded in God’s unchanging character.  

Second, God based His promise upon His word (vs. 17).  By the promise of His word, God made Himself the guarantor of the pledge.  Just as His character is unchangeable, so also His word is unchangeable and true.  God cannot lie, so when God affirms the truthfulness of the Bible, it is not grounded in the human writers; it is based on His character.  This is why we have a foundation for hope and should “take hold of the hope set before us” (vs. 18).  We must accept the gospel because it is grounded in the nature and being of God Himself.
We have an anchor for life when we recognize that our salvation is not based on our abilities or efforts but on God’s unchanging word and promise.  Our hope is both sure and steadfast.  Because Christ removed the barrier of sin, we now have continual access to God.  Having given us one of the strongest warnings in Scripture regarding the danger of neglecting God’s offer of salvation, we now find one of the strongest arguments for our security in Christ.  The promise of salvation to those who accept it by faith is a promise that is not based upon our ability but upon God’s character.  Having confronted us with the dangers of death, He now promises us hope of life.  In Jesus, we have the guarantee and security of our salvation.  He gives us free and unhindered access to God in his death and resurrection.  Rather than live in fear of judgment, we can rest in hope.