By: Robert Serreyn

Question? You say that salvation IS NOT conditional, if this is true then PLEASE explain the word IF in Hebrews 3:14?

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

Answer:

First of all Chapter 3 is written TO CHRISTIANS, take a look at V1.

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.

TAKE NOTICE of the words HOLY BRETHREN, God does not call a unsaved lost person HOLY, Only a person that has Trusted in Christ and his payment alone for their sins are CONSIDERED holy in God’s eyes.

In V1 and V14 the word PARTAKERS means Sharer, In V1 we are made SHARERS by Faith Alone in Christ (Heavenly Calling) and in V14 we are made SHARERS by our Faithful Service and remaining in Fellowship with Christ.

Let’s take a look at Verses 2 through 6

Hebrews 3:2-6 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (3) For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. (4) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. (5) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Notice the word House, I believe this is in reference to Our Human Bodies.

Compare that to 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17 & 6:19,20.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The word DESTROY in v17 means to Pay The Price and Suffer the Consequences WHICH also could mean death.

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

God WANTS US to honor him THROUGH our bodies.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Now let’s look at Verses 7-11.

Hebrews 3:7-11 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (9) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. (10) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. (11) So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

in V7 the word To day means while we are ALIVE in this body, the Holy Spirit is trying to get us to do what 1 Corinthians 6:20 and Romans 12:1 says.

Vesus 8 through 11 is speaking about those in the OT who did not believe God and ending up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years (v9) and dieing never seeing the Promised Land (my rest – v11) which flowed with Milk and Honey, it was theirs to have but because of disbelief they denied themselves of that blessing and reward that the Lord was going to give them and the christian can do the same and this is the point that Hebrews 3:14 is making.

In other words, IF we remain Faithful, IF we continue to serve the Lord, IF we do THEN we will be SHARERS (partakers) of the Blessings and Rewards that Christ has for us BUT if we refuse to honor the Lord in this body, THEN the Lord MAY have to take a strong course of action as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:17 and in the last part of 1 John 5:16.

In Conclusion:

If the word IF meant that “Our Salvation” was predicated upon “Our Faithfulness” THEN salvation “Would Not” be Everlasting but temporal, continually “In Flux” and Fluidity rather than as Romans 11:29 states…

Romans 11:29 For the gifts (which salvation is) and calling of God are without repentance (Irrevocable = Irremovable).

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH