OSAS & Heb 13:5

[Marty Cauley]

Hello,
Any recommendations for OSAS links/forums that affirm unconditional security and thus do not condition security on perseverance? My present point of enquiry is regarding Heb 13:5. Some securitists take it a proof text for OSAS; others do not. In a nutshell, let me present the NOSAS counter.

NOSAS
Heb 13:5 means: "Hebrews 13:5 "I will never desert you [who are faithful], nor will I ever ever forsake you [who are faithful]."

After all,
The OT background:

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor ever forsake you." (Dt 31:16)

Is followed by the OT warning:

They “will forsake Me…and I will forsake them” (Dt 31:16-18).
The OT background for Heb 13:5 comes from Deut 31:6,8 which is contextually understood as being a conditional promise to the faithful (Deut 31:16-18).

Has anyone seen a strong counterargument for OSAS that addresses this issue?
Thanks
Marty:type:

 

[swaimj]

Marty Cauley,

In the context of Hebrews 13:5, I do not think the writer is speaking of salvific security. He is teaching the believers to be satisfied with the things they have and by that I mean they should be satisfied with the possessions they have and the provision of God for their physical needs. The previous verse tells them not to be covetous and to be content with the things they have. The reason they should be content is that God has said "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee". In response to this promise the believers can then boldly say "The Lord is my helper..."

So, the security spoken of here is not eternal security, but it is an encouragement to live by faith trusting God day-by-day because he will meet our needs.

Consequently, I don't think this verse is speaking of eternal security OR conditional security. Both sides will have to look elsewhere for their proof-texts.