No Pleasure In The Rebel

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb 10:38-39 AV)

 

The drawing back is defined in our passage.  Perdition is eternal damnation.  The writer is referencing those who have had a clear presentation of the gospel, have completely understood and acknowledged it, yet chose not to exercise saving faith.  The underlined phrase may seem extreme.  It may appear as though the writer considers himself better than those who reject Christ, or at the very least, judging them for their failure to accept the free gift of salvation.  Further light is gained by referencing Hab 2:4 from which this New Testament writer quotes.   “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (Hab 2:4 AV)  We see the cause for which the one rejecting turns away from the truth. It is pride.  He does not turn away because of fear, doubt, or even procrastination.  He turns away because his pride will not submit to the Lordship of Christ.  For that reason, the writer takes no pleasure in that person.

We have come across all sorts of individuals going door-to-door as we seek converts.  Most are cordial.  Some are interested.  Most are ambivalent.  Few are downright rude and obnoxious.  This past week, we approached a house that was set back and hedged in.  This is rare in our neck of the woods.  We live and serve in an urban setting and to find any house that is set back is very rare.  As we approached this house, we noticed something was off.  The yard was not typical.  It was obvious they had children, but the yard seemed like it belonged in a completely different culture.  Upon ringing the door, we found out why.  The house was a four-unit house occupied by one family.  They had a Ring doorbell which allows one to talk with the occupant through the doorbell without them opening the door, or can also interact remotely through one’s phone.  At the same time, the door opened and the make occupant was yelling at us through the Ring doorbell.  Come to find out, they were fundamentalists from a completely different religion.  The mother and her two children simply stared at us as the father yelled at us through his Ring.  His parting words were, “Don’t ever come back here.”

I feel for this family.  In one sense, it was good for these children to see how true believers react to inhospitable behavior from their parents.  Being taught that Christians are evil and are the enemy, they were able to see the love of Christ on our faces.  However, when it comes to their father, I take no pleasure in his soul.  There is nothing I could ever desire from him.  This does not mean if given the opportunity I wouldn’t share Christ with him afresh.  In fact, I never saw his face  So I wouldn’t know him from anyone else.  What I can say is that I take no pleasure in his soul.  He was acquainted well enough with the Christian faith that he could search it more for the answers to eternal life.  But because his religion teaches that all others are evil and should be defeated, this makes his journey to redemption highly unlikely.  If we met while waiting for a taxi, I probably would not share a ride with him.  I would take no pleasure in his soul.  I would love him enough to try to share the love of Christ with him.  But we would not be best buds.  This is what the writer is trying to convey.  For the Jewish mind that is accustomed to hospitality and friendship, this would be a major adjustment.  To separate from someone who hates God and rebels against him is necessary, but difficult.  But it has to be done.  Otherwise, the ungodly tempt the child of God into compromise.  So, it is ok to take no pleasure in the arrogant who will turn their back on the grace of God.  In fact, it is required.