Two peoples, two ways, and two ends

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. In the previous verses we learned that those who are righteous before God have a faith that endures to the end. God is pleased with them. The writer wanted his readers to know who he knew them to be. He and his readers were not of those who cast away their confidence in Christ but were those who ran by faith until the end.  Let’s notice the two peoples, two ways, and two ends mentioned in this verse. The two peoples. Those who, during a time of trial and hardship, shrink back from drawing near to God for help in time of need. Then in contrast there are those who have faith to the very end of their lives. Then there are two ways. There are those who shrink back or quit when difficulties arise. It is implied that they are unbelieving. In contrast, there are those who persevere by faith. They live their lives with their eyes on Jesus, drawing near to Him to receive grace to trust and love through their tribulations.  Lastly, there are two ends mentioned here. One group suffers loss and ends in destruction while the other group is saved. The souls of those who persevere to the end by faith are preserved. This reminds me of the words of Jesus recorded in Matt. 24:9-12.     Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. We can see that there’s no promise of being saved from pain, suffering, and persecution. Believers don’t escape hardship and trials in this life. It is their souls that are preserved and saved, and that through an enduring faith. Ever since Jesus came to earth and was resurrected, Christians have gone through tribulation at the hands of evil men and women. We live in a time where falling away from the faith occurs in almost epidemic proportions. Believers are betrayed and hated because of their faith in Christ and their recognizing the Bible as their authority in life. True biblical evangelicalism and patriarchy are considered toxic, destructive ideologies by progressive thinkers and therapists. False prophets have arisen and mislead many. Lawlessness has definitely increased, and the love of many has grown cold.  How are we to respond? Shall we shrink back from our confidence in Christ? Shall we quit boldly proclaiming the truth? Shall we compromise the truth to be accepted in our culture? We cannot if we are going to live to love with Jesus. We are not of those who shrink back to destruction along with the apostate church. We must and will today proclaim the good news of Christ and look to the great reward of walking by faith, in holiness and love.  Let us encourage one another to endure to the end, loving one another as Jesus commanded us, by abiding in Him—going to the throne of grace for mercy and grace to help in time of need. Our salvation and the preservation of our souls will be to the glory of God, who gave His Son, that we might live to love with Him.