THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL

"Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Hebrews 6:19).  The book of Hebrews warns Christians of their need to have an anchor for their souls.  This is because of the danger of drifting away from God's teachings:  " Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip." (Hebrews 2:1)  Consider some important lessons regarding this anchor.

                              SPECIFIC REASONS WHY WE NEED AN ANCHOR

Indifference/Apathy.  One needs only to study the example of Israel in the Old Testament to be impressed with this lesson.  At certain periods in Israel's history when they were prosperous, they fell prey to indifference toward the things of God: " Woe to them [that are] at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, [which are] named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!  That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall." (Amos 6:1,4)

Christians can "drift" away in this regard.  The church at Laodicea was guilty of indifference:  "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)

False Teaching.  Religious error is a constant threat today, as it has always been in the history of God's people.  The apostle Peter warned of its danger in his day:  "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." (2 Peter 3:17)  Of course, the reason there is false teaching is because of the presence of false teachers. (2 Pet. 2:1ff.)  Therefore, God's children must grow in knowledge so we are not "carried about by every wind of doctrine." (Eph. 4:14)  All of this implies the necessity of Bible study so we may examine what we're taught and will be able to determine its truthfulness.  However, knowledge itself is not beneficial to our soul, if we don't apply what we learn to our daily living.

Temptations of the flesh.  Heaven awaits all who will endure temptations in this life:  "Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12)  Temptations to sin must not be blamed on God, but we must recognize they are the combined efforts of Satan and our will:  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:13-14)  God promises that we will not be tempted above that which we are able to bear and if we search out the way of escape provided by God's grace, we can overcome them (1 Cor. 10:13)  Jesus showed us, when He was tempted of the devil, that by laying up God's Word in our hearts, temptations can be overcome (Matt. 4).  Also, He teaches us to pray that we be not led into temptations (Matt. 5:13).  Too, if we will heed the warnings of having "evil companionships" (1 Cor. 15:33), we can find the way of escape.  If young people will obey their parents in the Lord (Eph. 6:1-3), this also will prove a way of escape provided by God.  Failure to heed the teachings of God in these matters is the reason the way of escape is not found, nor desired by many.

Ridicule and persecution.  It stands to reason that those who will apply themselves to godly living in a world of sin and wickedness will face opposition in some degree:  "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)
There is much in scripture to instruct us regarding the kind of attitude we should have toward persecution for our faith (Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 4:12ff.).  For sure, we need an anchor for our souls when we face these things, so that we don't compromise truth just for the sake of peace and to escape opposition from the world for our faith in Christ.

Discouragement by the hypocrisy of others.  How many times I have personally seen this to be a problem among Christians, yes, even myself.  Brethren in whom you placed confidence and looked up to as a faithful example may let you down.  It hurts and it can discourage us, but our faith must always be in the Lord, not man:
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)  Many use the ole "hypocrite in the church" excuse so they can justify (?) their own unfaithfulness, but that's no excuse.  Did the Lord turn from the right because of Judas Iscariot?  Did Paul become unfaithful because of what Demas did (2 Tim. 4:10) or because of Peter's hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11ff.)?

Overwhelmed by sorrow/distress in sickness or death. Some want to blame God whenever the bad times come in their life, like Martha who blamed the Lord when her brother Lazarus died. (John 11:21)  But people of faith will take strength in the Lord to see them through these tough times.  What a comfort it is to lean on the promises of a kind, compassionate Lord so that even when we face death we do not have to sorrow like the world. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Material wealth. You may not consider yourself as one of the richest people in the world, but let's face it, we live in a greatly blessed nation in regard to material things.  Of course, there are exceptions; there are those living in poverty, but most of us not only have the "necessities" but also an abundance of "luxuries".  A Christian's attitude toward material things must be right if he is to remain stedfast in the faith (Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:9), because (as noticed above) they can cause us to drift spiritually.

Yes, God's people may have a "strong encouragement" to remain faithful to the Lord with the hope His promises give us.  Our faith is the support of our hope (Heb. 11:1), with God's Word being its source. (Rom. 10:17)   Patience will be hope's result. (Rom. 8:24- 25)  Think on these things.
 
                                                                                              - Dan Richardson

[Note:  The main points of this article was taken from an excellent sermon preached by brother Granville Tyler, whom this writer was priviledged to hear in his younger days.]