Hope
We Have As An Anchor of the Soul,
Sure and Steadfast!
Hebrews
6
"Therefore,
leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ,
let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation
of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of
the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do
if God permits.
"For
it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and
have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of
the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and
the powers of the age to come, if they have fallen away, to
renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for
themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
"For
the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it,
and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated,
receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers,
it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be
burned.
"But,
beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you,
yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this
manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and love
which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered
to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one
of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope
until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate
those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
"For
when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear
by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, 'Surely blessing
I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you' (Genesis
22:17). And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained
the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath
for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God,
determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise
the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for
God to lie, we have a strong consolation, who have fled for
refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
"This
hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,
and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner
has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest
forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
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