“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

I hope this is our mantra. Many who confess the Christ, deny the severity of this verse. There are two groups of people within the Christ believers. Those who maintain faith and continually press forward to be obedient and those who turn away or shrink back. There are two different outcomes for two different behaviors. Accepting Jesus as savior is the beginning, not the ending, as many think it is. Faith is a continuous walk and requires the disciple to walk in the light. As long as we are in the light, His blood is keeping us clean, but when we draw back, leave the light, we set ourselves up for destruction. The blood cannot follow us into disbelief.

This verse was given as a warning and as an encouragement. What matters here is which way we take it. The entire next chapter will be given over to those who have persevered in their faith and because of it claimed a great prize. The author wants to encourage all followers of Jesus to operate by faith. Pushing forward is the word of encouragement rather than shrinking back.

Task for Today: Do all you can do to preserve your soul. Maintain your faith. Allow your faith to be the means of your walk, keeping you in the light. Begin your day with the question, “Is my faith shrinking or growing?” Remember, we are talking about destruction and preservation here.