But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:39)

Refreshingly straightforward, surely? The basic division between salvation and condemnation is laid out and we are told exactly what is required for salvation. We are not to shrink back, but to have faith. Now, at least, we know what we have to do. Rather a challenge, but at least we know where we are.

Except if we think that, we don’t comprehend the magnitude of the challenge, or where we truly are.

There is a reason why we are only told we are to “have faith” and not given any details of what works are required to demonstrate that faith. Shockingly, God does not require works from us at all. While the verse looks like a requirement of the law for our salvation, it is in fact a gospel proclamation about assurance.

Tellingly, we are “of” those. This is a clue that the achievement is not ours. In fact, our lives are hidden in Christ Jesus so we are counted as of Him. As such we are members of a community, a people of faith – a prominent theme in Hebrews, and nowhere more so than the very next verses. The writer’s aim is to reassure his readers – and us – that they belong to the people of God, the same people who are then listed in chapter 11.

One of the striking things about the characters listed in that chapter is how dodgy, in human terms, many of them were. No sin is left unrepresented! But that is the point. The verses do not make us feel inferior as we contemplate those “super-saints” and their amazing works which earned their salvation. Instead, what shines through is the faithfulness and power of God, and also His gracious mercy in crediting the works He prepared in advance for His people to do, as their righteousness.

Our assurance is through Jesus, not through our works, not even through us “doing” our faith. And thus verse 39 is not about us at all, but about Jesus. Firstly because of what He did, not what we do, and secondly because the very nature of faith, as chapter 11 tells us, is “the assurance of things hoped for”. Faith looks away from the holder to the author of our faith.

Lord Jesus, Thank You for doing what we cannot and for the glorious inheritance You promise us as part of your chosen Israel. Amen.