Things That Accompany Salvation

MARCH 7, 2024

 “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation…” (Hebrews 6:9)

This verse stands in sharp and blessed contrast to what is spoken in verses 4-6. There we see a class of professing Christians, a people highly favored, blest with external privileges, and richly gifted by the Holy Spirit. There we observe the faculties of natural man’s soul moved to a very high degree. We see persons who appear to be, and who consider themselves to be true believers; their consciences have been searched, the understanding enlightened, the affections stirred, and the will moved to action. This describes the character that we expect to see in those who profess the name of Christ. Yet, the fact that they “fall away” proves that they were never born again. Even so, it is by no means an easy matter for true believers to identify them. Oftentimes their head-knowledge of the truth and their moral qualities are excellent. Only as they are weighted in the balances of the sanctuary will they be found wanting.

How do we explain this? Arthur Pink, in his Exposition of Hebrews, calls attention to what he refers to as “a double work of God being prosecuted under the ministry of the Gospel.” This can be seen in the earthly ministry of our Lord. He healed many of whom nothing is recorded of their faith. Temporal mercies were bestowed upon natural men, as well as upon spiritual. These extraordinary blessings seem to portray this inferior work of the Holy Spirit in “those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and we made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come…”(Verses 4, 5)

James also acknowledges the lesser and greater works of God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,…from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17) In keeping with the theme and purpose of that Epistle, those words seem to have reference to two distinct classes of gift for two distinct classes of people: the “good” referring to those bestowed under Gospel ministry on the non-elect; the “perfect”imparted to God’s own people. The Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 68:18 supplies strong corroboration of this idea. Speaking of Christ’s ascension the Psalmist says, “…thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also…” Gifts are bestowed by Christ on two distinct classes. When the Apostle quotes this verse from the Psalm in Eph. 4: 8, he omits the last clause, “the rebellious also,” because in that case only the elect of God are in view. Many other Scriptures besides these attest to this double work of God.

Now, in contrast to those who “…for a while believe, and in time…fall away,” (Luke 8:13), or those who, “…when they have heard, go forth,” but “bring no fruit to perfection.” (Luke 8:14), our text pertains to “the remnant according to the election of grace.” This is made clear in its opening words,“But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.” The conjunction of contrast, “But” sets these “beloved” ones in opposition to those mentioned before, who are “…rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Verse 8)

Here the Apostle expresses his affection for these Hebrew saints, calling them “beloved.” It was out of love that he faithfully warned them about the dreadful end of those who profess Christ and make a good show of religion, but end up falling away. It is good that all believers take heed to this warning. We are ever to be making our calling and election sure (II Pet. 1:10); and to constantly engage in self-examination, whether we be in the faith. (II Cor. 13:5)

It was not because he suspected them of being false brethren that he warned them. “But, beloved,” says the Apostle, “I am persuaded better things of you.” He was persuaded by convincing evidence. He witnessed in them “things that accompany salvation.” The word “accompany” signifies “conjoined with,” things that are inseparable from true salvation. These include sorrow for and hatred of sin; true humility and self-abasement, the peace of God comforting the conscience, walking daily in the fear of God, diligent perseverance in the faith, pressing forward in the race that is set before us in a spirit of prayer and pursuit of holiness. These are the “better things.” These are “things that accompany salvation.”

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