Hebrews 6:1-12 is one of the more difficult sections of the book, maybe the most difficult.

The readers are admonished to move on; to grow beyond the basics of the religion of Christ. They are then warned about falling away (something related to a lack of knowledge and / or growth).

In the context, those in danger of falling away are those who are turning back to the Old Law. They obeyed the gospel, enjoyed spiritual blessings in Christ, but are losing trust in Him as the way of salvation. When one loses that trust in Christ, it is impossible to get them to repent. And, in their action they are crucifying afresh the Son of God. In such cases, they are “thorns and briers” fitted for destruction, not redemption.

The writer expressed confidence that the readers would not be among those falling away and exhorted them to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Hebrews 4:1-10 centers on the “rest” for the people of God.

The promised rest was not Canaan (4:1-3; cf. Psa. 95:11) or the Sabbath (4:4-8). Rather, it is heaven (4:9, 10).

There is a rest beyond this life that far exceeds the rests of Canaan and the Sabbath. It is one into which we will enter if we are not disobedient. This promise is sure and steadfast. Nothing can keep us from it as long as we believe and obey. God is true to His word. We need to be true to Him.

In Hebrews 3:7-19, we are told what it really means to be in unbelief. It is not reserved for people who do not believe in God. Unbelief does not mean complete denial of God’s commands. Rather, denying part of what God says is just as much unbelief as atheism.

The Israelites were led out of Egypt into the wilderness. They believed God existed and followed His commands / leading to leave the land of bondage. They witnessed the miraculous plagues, saw the wonders of Sinai, and heard His voice. Still, they were disobedient when it came to entering the promised land.

The writer makes it clear that failing to heed this one command of the Lord was a failure to believe His promise. It was those who did not obey that did not believe that rebelled and paid for it with their life.

The admonition to us is: Do not follow their example! Though we may believe in God, confess Jesus as the Savior, and declare the Bible to be God’s word, we can have an evil heart of unbelief. If we deny baptism is essential to salvation, we are in rebellion (Mk. 16:16). If we doubt God gives us either the strength or ability to overcome temptation, we are in unbelief (1 Cor. 10:13). In such a state, we will suffer under the wrath of God. Let us not be in that number.

Christians are soldiers of Christ. The New Testament is filled with imagery of war, battle, and fighting. It is not a carnal war, but a spiritual one (2 Cor. 10:3-5). In Ephesians 6:10-24, Paul gives a detailed description of the armor we are provided to fight and win the war.

Christians generally have done a good job of knowing about the different pieces of armor: truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, word of God. These need to be understood and used.

What we have failed at more often than not—generally speaking—is prayer (Eph. 6:18). It is the element that helps us don the armor, fight the fight, receive the strength, and press on. Paul requested the prayers of the Ephesians that he may speak boldly in teaching the gospel. How often do we pray, really pray, about the battles we are fighting?

If we will put on the armor of God and pray always, there is nothing that can stand in our way or stop our final victory.

Four classes of people are addressed in Ephesians 6:1-9: children, parents, slaves, masters. While the latter two are not part of our society, the principles of the relationships still apply to employees and employers or anyone doing a job for someone else.

If we would teach and heed the things in these passages, our homes and nation would be much better off. And, if the home is right it is hard to see how the workplace would not be right.

One thing I do want to especially note is that most Christians I know—the overwhelming majority—are very conscientious about their jobs and the work they do. We are an honorable bunch. It reflects well on members of the Lord’s church that the community and those we work with and for know our reputation. Let us leverage that influence to help lead people to Christ.

Take note of three things in Ephesians 5:1-7.

First, we are to imitate God; mimic Him in love. The love is connected to the sacrifice of Christ. Hence, we are to sacrifice to please God and help others.

Second, worldly behavior—as exemplified by fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and course jesting—is contrary to the life of a child of God; to one who walks in love. Those who live in such a manner will not go to heaven. If we really want to go to heaven, not hell, we will get rid of these things in our lives.

Third, anyone who tells you to the contrary is a liar. The devil, through his servants, will try to get you to thing fornication, uncleanness, etc. are consistent with being a child of God. It is not so. If we listen to these lies, we will face the wrath of God—remember the flood, Sodom, and other instances where God judged men in His wrath.

A saint is expected to behave in a way that is pleasing to God. Any other behavior is unacceptable and damaging to our eternal well being. Let us be faithful and consistent in our life.

There are a lot of issues covered in Ephesians 4:25-32.

Christians are not to lie or have sinful anger. Anger is fine in its place. In fact, we must have righteous anger, for without it we are not truly passionate about the truth.

Saints are not to steal or use corrupt speech. We are commanded to work to provide for ourselves and help those in need. This is opposite of what some in the world espouse, that we should look for a handout whenever possible. Too, our words are to be good and tend toward a positive effect on the world.

We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit. If we do, we will pay the consequences. And, instead of having bitterness and a generally bad attitude, we are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Not only will it lead to an eternal reward, it will also pay dividends in this life.

The gospel is perfect, addressing every area of man’s life. If we would only apply it consistently, we would be far better off and much happier.

There is a distinct point at which one goes from being lost in the world to being saved in Christ (Gal. 3:26, 27). However, growth is ongoing. All our old habits and desires do not die overnight. It is a constant battle to put on the new man. In Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul addresses this issue. If he had to admonish the great Ephesians saints in this matter, are we any exception?

One or two things to note here: the way of the world (Gentiles) is futile (4:17). The philosophy, religion, and wisdom of the world is bankrupt as far as spiritual matters go. There is nothing but ignorance and blindness; a condition we see as repugnant in any other pursuit in life.

Hence, we are told to renew our mind. It is to be educated, disciplined if you will, in Christ where truth may be found. By the way, spiritual truth is only found in Christ. We are to put of the old man, put on the new, honoring the very purpose for which we were created anew.

Your Deposit

Paul said, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12).

In the context Paul is urging Timothy not to be ashamed of the word of God nor its faithful defenders (2 Tim. 1:8-11). Paul’s lack of shame with regard to these things brought him a great deal of suffering and was leading to his death (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Still, he had confidence in God. It was He that Paul believed in and knew to be faithful.

Paul made a commitment. The original Greek word here is parathēkē and means “a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one’s faithful keeping” (Thayer). Paul had committed his soul to God. In a sense he had deposited his soul with the Lord for safe keeping.

It used to be many people had “safe deposit boxes” at the bank (some still use them). Valuable papers, jewelry, and cash were often stored in them. The idea was that the bank is a secure location and the safe deposit box room was fortified against fire and other potential disasters. So it is with the soul’s safe keeping with God.

There is nothing more valuable than the soul. In fact, Jesus said that it would be a losing deal to trade your soul for the whole world (Mark 8:36). With such a high worth, what better place to “deposit” your soul for safe keeping than with the Almighty God? Paul was confident God could preserve it until the Judgment. We need that confidence too.

Jesus made a similar argument in John 10:27-29. When a man or woman places their soul into the keeping of the Lord, no one is able to steal them away. Can a person leave the Lord’s safe keeping? Yes. However, as long as a man stays committed to God, as Paul did, his soul is secure.

Insecurity of the soul comes when we do not have it safely deposited with the Lord. Many are not truly committed to Him. It is like the man who believes his money is secure on the blackjack table. He is convinced his money will return to him…usually in abundance. He does not see the inherent risk and ultimate loss. Still, he confidently places his bet.

Many gamble with their soul. Some deposit it with themselves by following their own dictates, which only leads to destruction (Prov. 14:12). Others put their treasure into the safe keeping of the doctrines and traditions of man, which will be uprooted in the last great day (Matt. 15:7-14). The security they suppose they have is just an illusion—just like the chips on the blackjack table.

When your soul is on deposit with God, you will be able to endure tremendous trials and suffering. Paul was able “to suffer these things” because he entrusted his soul to the Lord. A committed Christian can be ridiculed, mocked, scorned, cursed, beaten, threatened with death, and even endure it, without reservation (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7-18; 11:23-33). There is nothing to intimidate a child of God because he knows Who is on his side. “Do what you will, I know the Lord will be with me,” is his declaration.

Where is your soul deposited? Have you entrusted it to the fleeting things of this world? Have you in your finite wisdom decided to guard it yourself? Or, is it in the protection of the Creator? One is secure, the other inherently insecure.

It is hard to imagine, but wonderful to contemplate, that God’s plan of saving man in the church is an eternal plan. God worked it out in spite of man’s rebellion and Satan’s scheming. If He could bring about the establishment of the church and the securing sacrifice of His Son, He can bring about our final redemption in the Lord.

Paul was pleased to preach this salvation in Christ and did not want the saints to become weary because of his tribulations. Sometimes we can see fellow Christians being abused and become discouraged. Rather than this, we ought to be encouraged that they are willing to endure such for the Lord. Would we want someone else to lose heart over our suffering for the Savior?

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, is beautiful. First, Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. He is with us when His word is with us (Rom. 10:17). Second, the love of Christ passes knowledge; that is, it is overwhelmingly abundant and beyond human ability to fully comprehend. Third, the Lord is able to do even more than we can imagine…and He does. What a blessing; what a God!