“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:19a (ESV)

On the heels of one of the most oft-debated paragraphs in the New Testament, God offers a powerful comfort in the form of a vivid image.

Earlier in this chapter (6:4-8), the writer offers a stern warning to men and women about the judgment that awaits those who abandon Jesus as the Christ and Savior. Again, these verses have sparked much discussion throughout the centuries regarding the security of a person’s salvation. And while the language of these verses provides sufficient ambiguity to support a number of interpretations, the closing promise points us in the right direction.

Beginning in verse 13, the writer explains that the promises of God are based on two unchangeable things: His word and His character. Therefore, those men and women who like Abraham have placed their hope in God (through genuine repentance and faith) live with under the certainty of God’s unchangeableness. And those men and women who only appeared to place their hope in God live under the certainty of God’s coming judgment.

Thus, men and women who have life-altering, saving faith in God cling the dual “anchor” of God’s unchanging word and character. Take heart believers, your salvation is secure. Not because you can hold on to God, but because God will hold onto to you!