“Things That Accompany Salvation”

Sunday, January 26, 2025

“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner” Hebrews 6:9

The writer of Hebrews has as his theme the idea of “better”.

His aim is to convince the Jewish audience that Jesus is better: than the angels, than the prophets, than Moses. His priesthood is better than Aaron’s. His new covenant is better than the old. His blood is better than that of bulls and goats. In every way, in every category the writer addresses, Jesus is better.

And so, he continues with his confidence in his hearers that they will mature and grow past the elementary things of their faith. They will do better. Better than just “having faith”, just believing in Jesus, better than just believing in his resurrection, better than just talking [discussions] about elementary principles.

“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.” Hebrews 6:1-3

The author and admonisher elaborates on “things that accompany salvation”.

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

It is our work and labor[s] of love that must accompany the salvation we receive by faith and grace. There is a purpose, goal, and intent NOW in our redemption. It is our restoration to being imaging bearing people. This restoration is of course not possible without redemption, washing, cleansing, purifying, rising to a new transformed life in the kingdom. But we cannot, must not forget that the kingdom has come, we are in it now. We are not waiting for Him to return or for us to go by death to the kingdom at some future time. The gospel was and is the kingdom is coming, it is near [as Jesus announced] and because of his death, burial, and resurrection it is here.

We are so prone to create a false dichotomy, a false competition or false theology between faith and works. Nothing could be further from the gospel, the truth, or the purpose of our salvation. It is not a choice or soteriological distinction we must make between faith and work. It is a soteriological understanding that faith produces fruit.

This powerful author reminds us that better means more than a set of religious, theological, philosophical, and soteriological maxims. It means manifesting into the world God’s goodness, glory, His name, and His character. This can only be seen in what we do.

The exhortation to better things is portrayed as “work and labor of love.” This writer [who may be Paul] is not alone and this is not the only place the ideas of work, labor of love, works of ministry, and good deeds are mentioned, commanded, and expected in the New Testament and of God’s people.

Consider the few following examples.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” Ephesians 4:11-13. Notice the words “perfect man”, and “stature of the fullness of Christ [being his image].

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.’ Titus 2:11-14. Notice the words, “salvation”, redeem[ed], purify, special people and for good works.

Faith with works isn’t just [in fact] better than faith without works it is better to the degree that something alive is better than something that is dead.

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? “James 2:18-20

Peter, like Paul and the Hebrew writer prepares his audience for trials, persecutions and other adversities. He exhorts:

“having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation…[and] or this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—”! Peter 2: 12, 15

Is there anything in these admonitions, these exhortations, these commands, and expectations…that these labors, work, ministries are easy, convenient, or optional? But. There is every promise, hope and confidence that He is not unjust, He will not forget, He will reward everyone “according to their work.”

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

Let’s go to work. 

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