Holding Fast Our Hope Til the End

but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.—Hebrews 3:6

Ephesians 2:22 tells us that we (family of believers) are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.  1 Peter 2 says we come to Him as living stones rejected by men but chosen by God and precious. Hebrews here in Chapter 3 verse 6 reminds us to persevere in our faithfulness...to hold fast our confidence and the rejoicing of our hope steadfast and firm to the end.  This is NOT saying that our perseverance secures our salvation.  Rather, God is telling us that the ultimate proof of our salvation is that we endure to the end.  1 John 2:19 says:

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

The person who does not hold fast, whose love grows cold so to speak and returns to the world, gives proof that they were never part of the household of God in the first place.  The one who abides, however, gives proof that he is His. 

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.—John 8:31

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.—John 15:4-6

Scripture promises that God is the One who sanctifies, preserves and keeps us...He is the One who does the persevering and completes the good work He began in us.  

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.—2 Cor 1:20

Can we imagine God the Father ever saying “no” to God the Son? God the Father will always say Yes to the Son and will always affirm what the Son says.  

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.—Jude 24-25