“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.” Hebrews 10:23
Dear Ones:
There is such a thing as gripping firmly one’s sword, laying hold on life eternal, and holding fast one’s profession of faith. Among David’s mighty men was was an individual named Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. He was one of the three most prominent of these mighty men. It is written of him that, “He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day.” (2 Samuel 23:10) Here is a man whose grip on his sword in the midst of battle, was so firm and constant, that he almost could not let it go, or put it down. It is almost as if his hand and the sword had become one unit. The resolve of the Christian, or disciple of Christ, is to be similar in intensity and strength.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews, several times, speaks of holding fast the profession of faith. What does this mean? It first means knowledge, a true knowledge of God, of Christ, and an understanding of His work on the cross. Secondly, it means that a position is taken with regard to that knowledge of God. It is a commitment to the God of truth, Christ Himself who declared that He was, and is, the truth. Why must there be a personal, and individual commitment? As God’s creation, we are called to take that position of faith in God as the creator, but also, in Christ as the sole, and unique, Savior of the sinner, and mankind. It is a position taken to look to God in Christ alone, to trust wholly in Him for life and eternity.
Returning to the matter of “holding fast the profession of faith,” there is another aspect, and it has to do with the source, and essence, of strength and power. For Eleazar to take his sword, and refuse to let it go, meant that he possessed a certain strength, power, and might. This strength was greater than the resistance put upon him to put his sword down, or to relax his grip. The victory that he led the people to know was dependent upon his refusal, and ability, to not relinquish his grip, and to go forward in the battle, believing in the victory. The Christian, at the very moment of his conversion to Christ, and the new birth, was put in living union with the Son of God. From that moment on, he learns to live by Another’s power and strength, for Christ has become His power by the Spirit. To lay hold on eternal life, to hold fast one’s profession of faith, involves not only a resolve, but the experience of Christ’s strength and power to overcome every obstacle and form of opposition to his faith.
The testimony of the Apostle Paul is a most remarkable one. He writes: “Thrice I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep: in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen…” (2 Cor. 11:25,26) He continues, speaking of difficulties experienced, dangers, pain and suffering. And yet, later he will write: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (12:9) Why could this man say this? It was because of the Lord who had said to him: “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (12:9)
Before Paul went to be with the Lord, he wrote to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7) Here is a man who learned to grip his sword, lay hold on life…the very life of Christ for every need, and hold fast his profession of faith. He knew not only WHAT he believed, but WHO he believed. He was totally committed to Him.
Dear Father, Give us to take our stand to BE Thine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad