Our Assurance Because of God's Promises

December 2nd, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Hebrews 6:13-15 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” 15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.

The author loved his audience. He loved them so much he did not fail to warn them about their sins. Some of them were contemplating a departure from the Christian faith, and others were just standing still doing nothing with their faith. After lambasting them for their behavior and warning them of the consequences of apostatizing (6:4-6), he needed to remind them once again about their security in Christ and the assurance Christ gives to those diligent in their faith.

What is the basis for eternal security in Christ? The Bible teaches that salvation is eternal and cannot be revoked, that those who truly possess it can never lose it. But how can they trust this? The author pointed to Abraham, the patriarch of Israel and the father of all who believe.

In speaking of the “promises” in 6:12 that awaited those with genuine faith, the author exhorts his audience with the eternal hope that accompanies salvation. Abraham modeled true hope and faith , perhaps more than any other Jewish patriarch. His life and God’s promises to him are detailed in Genesis 12-23. In spite of Abraham’s shortcomings and sins God did not renege on His promises to him. He had made a unilateral covenant with Abraham to make his name great, bring forth a nation from his loins, give his descendants the land of Canaan, bring a “seed” (Messiah) from his loins, and to bless those who blessed him while cursing those who cursed him. This covenant was eternal. Abraham simply believed what God told him, and God counted that belief, Abraham’s faith in God, as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). Then God delivered on His promises, for Israel become a great nation, possessed the land, and birthed the promised Seed—Christ. The Christ was born from Abraham’s son Isaac, the son of promise (cf. Rom 9:6-12). All who trust in Him are Abraham’s seed—heirs of the same promise. (Gal 3:16, 29).

Abraham is said to have “patiently endured” (v. 15) as he waited for God to fulfill what He promised. Of course this is the polar opposite of “sluggish” in 6:12 which characterized some of those the author addressed who were about to give up because their own patience with God was wearing thin. They needed to look to Abraham’s example for encouragement. God promised him a son when he was 75 years old and when his wife Sarah was 66—and she was barren. Then God waited another 25 years before giving Abraham what He promised him. By that time Sarah was 90! Miraculously, she did have a son, Isaac. Isaac’s line beget Jacob, which beget Judah, which beget King David, which beget Jesus Christ—a the promised Seed of Abraham (cf. Gal 3:16).

God’s oath to Abraham was made between He and Himself, for God has no one to swear by greater than Himself. While God held true to His promise, Abraham continued to believe Him. He had faith in God, and he had hope in what God promised. Abraham was like the illustration given in 6:7-8, like the land that had rain falling on it which produced an abundant crop (cf. Jas. 2:21-24). He was diligent in his faith and hope in God, and his actions proved such. Like a farmer who plants, weeds, and cultivates, Abraham was a believer who put his faith to work. And a faith that works produces an assurance of salvation that far surpasses sluggishness.

Food For Thought
There is no success without hope. Hope propels us and makes us passionate about what we believe. Without hope there is no passion, and without passion who really cares? That’s the problem with today’s churches which offer worldly hope of a happy marriage and loud concert music dubbed “worship.” But our faith is in Christ; our hope is in what He offers. His promise is true, and if the sluggish would pursue Him diligently, a new reformation might follow.