Do Not Throw Away Your Confidence (Heb. 10:26-39)

[Sung Psalm: 119:65-72]

Passages like this one are sometimes difficult for us. We don't like to think about the fact that sometimes Christians apostatize. But I suspect you've all seen it – someone you knew and trusted, someone you thought was sound in faith, hope and love, turns away from Christ and rejects the faith.

What is apostasy? And how can we avoid it?

Hebrews clearly says that some Christians apostatize: "those who shrink back and are destroyed." (v39)

Some would prefer to say that "those who shrink back" aren't really Christians. But a Christian is one who professes Jesus as Lord. A Christian is one who has been baptized into Christ and his church. If you have been baptized, and you profess Jesus as Lord, then you are a Christian.

But Hebrews wants to encourage you that this is not you! "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed – but of those who have faith and preserve their souls..."