Things that Accompany Salvation

Heb. 6:9 ¶ But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

The very words "things that accompany salvation" makes a distinction between those "things" and the "salvation" in view. Yet, "salvation" is not without such "things" as they "accompany" salvation. In the immediate context those things are fruits of salvation or their faithfulness and the promise of God based upon immutabillity of God's word as well as our "forerunner" or representative in heaven - Jesus Christ (vv. 9-20). In the following context it would be the work of our forerunner as our High Preist and Great Sacrifice (Heb. 7-12). There are those completed aspects of His High Preistly work (Heb. 9-10:18) which provide the firm basis of salvation as completed actions but there are continuing aspects in heaven whereby He continues to intercede in our behalf. However, in the greater context of Scripture there are many other things that "accompany salvation."

Often we who believe in justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone without works are falsely accused of easy believism simply because we limit the basis for justification for entrance into heaven upon the completed action of regeneration/gospel conversion at the beginning of the Christian experience.

We cannot build the Christian life until first we firmly define the one and only foundation for it to be built upon (1 Cor. 3:11). Without this foundation all else is futile. The life is worthless (Mt. 7:23) if the foundation is a mixture ("sand") of faith in Christ plus good works. This is why so much emphasis is placed upon the beginning point, the foundation.

However, we do not believe such a foundation is laid with no attending consequences. Where this foundation is laid there is the regenerate new nature or inward man who delights in the law of God (Rom. 7:21). There is the indwelling Spirit of God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Rom. 8:1-16; Philip. 2:13; Eph. 2:10b). This is the building of the house upon that foundation.

Now the foundation serves one purpose while the building of the house serves an entirely different purpose and yet all are under the umbrella term "salvation." The foundation gains acceptance before God positionally and representatively in Christ. It obtains adoption, inheritance, entrance into heaven. The building of the house obtains temporal blessings and spiritual growth here and now as well as rewards in heaven (I Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:1-11) or an "abundant entrance" into heaven (2 Pet. 1:11).

One cannot lose the foundation because it is not dependent upon anything merited or demerited by the person being saved. However, one can lose in various degrees the building being built upon that foundation which represents the life of the believer. In this area of salvation one can "suffer loss" (I Cor. 3:14-15). Loss of reward (I Cor. 3:14). Loss of joy (Psa. 51:10; Heb. 12:5-10). Loss of fellowship (I Jn. 1:7-8). Loss of assurance (2 Pt. 1:10). Loss of witness or usefulness to glorify God (Mt. 5:13-16; e.g. Lot). Loss of spiritual growth (Heb. 5:12-15). Perhaps even loss of life (I Jn. 5:16; James 5:20). But not loss of eternal salvation (I Cor. 3:15).

What then is the difference between a backslidden saint out of God's will and a lost person? The difference is that the child of God cannot get away with his sin (Heb. 12:5-10). The difference is that the child of God cannot be happy in sin (Psa. 32:3-4) because of the internal turmoil between his sinful actions and attitudes and the regenerate new man and indwelling Spirit of God - internal misery.

How long can a child of God abide in sin? Apparently David went nearly nine months in an unconfessed but miserable state. Our life is never without sin and never perfect. So it is always a matter of degree as true children of God ALWAYS LIVE IN SIN - whether it is the sin of omission - not measuring up to all the commands of God or sin of commission - willful violation of a commandment of God. There is no escape from the chastening of God while a true believer lives in Sin as Psalm 32 and 51 graphically illustrate.

There are things that accompany true salvation which make it impossible for true beleivers to continue in sin without consequences.