We are Not of Those Who Shrink Back to Destruction
“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39 (NASB 95)
As I read Hebrews 10:39, it immediately brought to mind the Titanic disaster. The ship was deemed unsinkable. Yet it became one of the worst maritime disasters ever recorded.
Everyone had firm trust in Titanic’s construction and its ability to withstand any storm or challenge. The engineering was cutting edge, the materials of excellent quality, and the craftsmanship unmatched. People boarded the ship with solid confidence in its ability to deliver them safely to New York City.
Such was the strong faith in the ship that even though they encountered a field of icebergs in the North Atlantic, the captain didn’t slow their pace because he and those who designed the ship wanted to achieve the fastest Atlantic crossing in the unsinkable Titanic. That was, until they struck an iceberg and the ship began to sink.
Still, in the midst of the pending disaster, there were those who balked at getting into a lifeboat. It wasn’t comfortable. It was cold, they might get wet. They wanted to stay with their family. They trusted the ship- it was unsinkable, right? They had plenty of time, or so they thought. Isn’t this so like those who balk at the gospel of Christ?
We delay making things right with God because we’re not ready. We look for other, ‘easier’ options- just one way to God seems too restrictive and even unkind. We search for things WE can do to make ourselves righteous and to earn salvation because surely it has to be our own effort. Yet, all of these things still lead to destruction.
Those who eagerly climbed into the lifeboats on that dark, frigid night were those who saw their desperate need to be saved. They understood the ship was going down and their only hope was to put on a life preserver and climb aboard one of the lifeboats, bringing nothing with them but their life and breath. They didn’t shrink back. They didn’t debate the timeline, wondering how long they could remain on the ship before climbing onto a lifeboat. They understood the desperation and urgency and they took the only option that would save them. They did not shrink back. The Greek word for ‘shrink back’ is hypostole and it means to withdraw, to be timid and retreat (1). There were only two options available- remain on the ship and lose your life or get into the lifeboat and be saved.
We face those same two options, spiritually. We can either remain tethered to this world, seeking our own way and cementing our eternal destruction, or we can turn to Jesus, the One who died to pay for our sin, who was buried and rose again to affirm His Authority and Lordship. The One to Whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess. He is our Savior, our assurance, our hope for eternal life. Jesus is the only option that will save us from sure destruction of our soul.
Some will say, I’ll make things right with Jesus before I die, but I have time yet before I must. So many on the Titanic thought they had time as well, some continued playing card games, some went back to bed. But all the while, the ship was sinking and they were running out of time. They were destined for destruction and could not see it.
Some were hesitant to part with their belongings. Many of those on board were wealthy beyond comprehension. They traveled with jewelry, furs, priceless paintings purchased in Europe, and motorcars parked in the cargo hold. Nothing of value could be saved. Only life. But in the end, is that not the most valuable thing one possesses? Yet, their tethers to their ‘things’ were strong, so strong that it prevented some from being saved.
There was only one way off of the Titanic. The truth, whether the travelers wanted to believe it or not, was that the ship was sinking and the lifeboats were the only salvation. Calls of “SOS- save our ship!” went unheeded. Life was only saved by climbing into the boat. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV) There is no other way to God. There is no other avenue to ensure the eternal peace and salvation of your soul. The Truth is that Jesus saves. No other. Not Buddha. Not Allah. Not Hinduism or any other system of belief and practice. Jesus is the only God who gave His life for men so they could be saved. Every other religious system asks for a man to give his life for the god…and even then there is no guarantee, no assurance. Did you do enough? Did you sacrifice enough? Did you suffer enough? There is no soul rest with any but Jesus.
“Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB 95)
Far too many people are trying to construct their own lifeboat. They’re working to create their own road to heaven, their own plan of redemption, and their own checklist of accomplishments and ‘good things’ that would certify their status as acceptable to God. But there is already a way, a lifeboat already exists. Jesus paid the price for our sin so we would not have to endure eternal separation from God because of our sinful condition. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God looks on us and sees Jesus. His sacrifice bought our freedom. His death was our life preserver.
So, how do you get into the lifeboat with Jesus? Oh, friends, it’s easier than you would imagine. There is no work to be done. It is simply confessing with your mouth that you believe Jesus is Lord, and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Reach out and take His hand. Let Him bring you into His kingdom. Let Him be your Lord and Master. He already did the work. You just need to believe. Trust Him and obey.
Is your son or daughter pursuing redemption through the world? Are they building their own lifeboat that will never withstand the storms of life? We need the power of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction, to remove the veil that blinds them to the Truth, and to move their hearts to want to embrace Jesus as Lord. Pray for that today.
Maybe a parent is resistant or defiant, consumed with doing things as they’ve always been done, honoring ancestors, traditions, and working their way to redemption. Pray that the Holy Spirit would overshadow all of these chains and obstacles that keep them entangled to the lies of the enemy. Pray that He would open their eyes to the Truth of the gospel and bring a change in their heart that would empower them to embrace salvation in Jesus.
Perhaps it’s a friend or co-worker, someone for whom you care deeply but whose life is hostage to things that keep them from true freedom in Christ. They are pursuing success, and climbing the ladder to the ‘next thing’ they hope will bring happiness and purpose. They are entangled in politics and arguments, trusting that being ‘right’ will ensure their survival. The Holy Spirit is powerful to break the addictions and silence the distractions. and voices that dissent. Pray that the Lord would intervene and show them true freedom in Christ.
Our prayers are powerful and effective. Sometimes we think that ‘just praying’ is a weak response, but friends, when we pray, we unlock a spiritual realm that is beyond our ability to see with our eyes and we engage power in God that will crush the enemy. Praying is the best thing we can do. We have the Almighty on our side- who better to fight the spiritual battle? Who better to man the lifeboat? Today, let’s pray that those we love are in the lifeboat and know for certainty that they have faith in Christ to preserve the soul.
“Oh Lord, our great God and Father, You are mighty to save. You made a way for us to be delivered from this dying world and from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus, You are our wonderful Savior who, because You love us so, took the punishment and shame that would be ours. You endured it so we would not have to. My heart is heavy for (name). They need to know You, Lord. They need Your salvation and deliverance from all the lies and distractions that keep them from Jesus. Holy Spirit, I pray that You would fall upon (name) today. Overwhelm them with Your love. Bring conviction over sin. Stir a sorrow in their heart that only You can soothe. I pray that (name) would surrender their heart and life to You, Lord. Give them a hope that is eternal and a faith that is sure. Help them not to look to those things they can see, but to see with their heart those things that are unseen yet certain. Lord, give them faith to believe and courage to continue. Don’t let them shrink back to destruction but give them mighty faith in Jesus that will preserve their soul. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing, friends. God is still and always working!
G5289 - hypostolē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (ESV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5289/esv/mgnt/0-1/