Based on Hebrews 2:1-4 (New King James Version)
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”
The matter the Lord addresses here through the writer of Hebrews is fundamental to our faith: the need to cherish what has been given to us by grace through Christ—namely, salvation or redemption. This is something that has been lost within the Christian community at large, whether due to a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the Word, or through the direct intervention of the enemy to sow error. This leads to a false sense of security—resulting in the abuse of grace, complacency, or irresponsibility—which ultimately contributes to loss in the present or far worse, eternal loss.
To start, we must value this great salvation; although it is given to us freely—by grace—the highest and most incalculable price in the universe was paid for it: it cost the life of God (Jesus Christ). We must remember that, while God is one, He is “Elohim”—a Triune God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Thus, God died and shed His blood on the cross of Calvary for us all. That is why grace is so immense, yet the penalty for failing to cherish something bought at such a high price is also severe. It is easy to say that the Lord died for us, but the love, effort, and sacrifice involved—everything He did for us—are beyond measure. And although only One died, all Three were indisputably involved. Recognizing this leads us to the next point.
Although salvation is by grace—and no one can be good enough to earn it on their own—we still bear a great responsibility; hence the warning. This is where a misconception arises—whether through error or the temptation of the enemy—as many misinterpret this verse: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. Aside from the fact that many believers are taught—and believe—that since works did not matter prior to salvation, they are of no value afterward either, many also interpret it to mean that it is God who causes us to do what we do after receiving Christ. This notion within itself leads to many errors. For if that were the case, then no one who comes to Christ would ever sin again. Yet we know that all of us—despite receiving, accepting, and even faithfully following Christ—continue to sin; we continue to bear the burden of our imperfection. And it would be a grave error to think that it is God who works the will and the action to sin, would it not? So, what does this verse mean? Let us look at it in context: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:12-16. The verse is surrounded by commandments, counsel, and free will, because both a commandment and counsel are given with the assumption that the listener or reader has the power to choose whether to do or not do what is being said. To begin with, it says: …as you have always obeyed… Obedience is a voluntary act. It also commands us to “work out” our salvation with fear and trembling. It goes on to say that we should “do” everything without grumbling or disputing—which implies further commands or instructions—and so on throughout the entire passage.
So, what does this really mean when translated into our own language, “…works in you both to will and to do?” A more precise translation of verse 13 from the ancient Greek is: For it is God who works so that you both desire and act according to His good pleasure—or according to His good will. In other words, God puts in the work so that you may understand what He desires—through the Word, through circumstances He helps bring about, through the experiences of others, and so on. That is the work or task God carries out. We must understand an even clearer principle: the function or work of the Holy Spirit. In ancient Greek, the word “Parakletos” is used to explain what the Holy Spirit comes to do for us; it means "one called alongside another to help." Depending on the context, it is translated as "Comforter," "Counselor," "Helper," or "Advocate." However, terms such as "controller" or "dominator" are never used nor inferred. That is never the implication regarding the Holy Spirit. Free will always remains. God commands and counsels, but He never controls or forces anyone—whether for salvation, for service, or, least of all, for love. Therefore, the belief that once you come to Christ you no longer have anything to worry about is completely incorrect and false; quite the opposite—the struggle, the fight, or the race begins with being born again or conversion. Faith in Christ is merely the beginning of an eternal journey, for we are meant to spend eternity with our God and serve Him.
This is what the Word tells us: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. And we are also commanded or counseled as follows: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11. The summary for all of this is: “…‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38. So, you who claim to belong to Christ—are you taking care of your salvation by seeking to love God and to serve Him as the Lord He is, so that an abundant entrance into His eternal kingdom may be granted to you? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!