The Lord Jesus made the above statement.

The edition we are discussing, in its footnotes following Ephesians 2:8, states: "The grace of God is unconditional: we are not saved on the condition that we ‘hold out to the end' or that we ‘fail not' or that we ‘do our best.' We are saved by the grace of God apart from works." (New American Standard Bible, "The Open Bible Edition", New York, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979.)

Compare: "he that endureth to the end shall be saved"; "we are not saved on the condition that we ‘hold out to the end.'"

We see here an example of the influence of humanism on Christian scholars. The Word of God has been destroyed in our day and we are not even aware that it has happened.

Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart. (Isaiah 42:24,25)

Every kind of sin is being practiced in the Christian churches and every kind of problem exists as a result. "He hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not."

The pastors and evangelists rush to assure their congregations that God loves them and all their problems are coming from the devil. But these Christian leaders are false prophets. Various natural disasters are afflicting the United States of America—earthquakes, floods, droughts. The pastors refuse to acknowledge the hand of God in these judgments and so the people do not repent and call on the Lord.

The third chapter of Hebrews warns us that we are made partakers of Christ if "we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:14). The entire epistle is addressed to backsliding, experienced believers. It is a stern warning to these Jewish saints to press forward to the "rest" of God—to the state of spiritual maturity in which our will has been changed into God's will and we always are choosing to flow with the Spirit of God in the realms of moral image, relationships, fruitfulness, and power.

The Book of Hebrews refutes the concept of "once saved always saved," of unconditional, irresistible salvation. Our possession of the Divine salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ depends on our faithfulness and diligence in laying hold of it.

We will not escape the wrath of God if we neglect the salvation He is offering to us through Christ. Neglecting one's salvation (Hebrews 2:3) is not directed primarily to an initial refusal to accept Christ. Rather, the warning is directed toward Christians who are not walking by faith, not seeking God in every aspect of life in the assurance that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently.

To be continued.