It is impossible for us to do an analysis of the book of Hebrews here. Scholars today believe it was written to a mix audience. However, John MacArthur disagrees with this interpretation and I think he's correct. So do other historical authors. So I know I'm not heretical on this matter. I would suggest that the title of the book should give an indication that this book was written to the Jews. This makes sense as it talks how Christ is better than the angels, the priests, and completes the faith.
If you are trying to convince me that one must do something to keep their salvation, I'm very sorry but that is completely works oriented. Christ did it all. I rest in this fact that any good work of God that I may do in my life is due to Christ working through me. We are saved to do good works. We are not saved because of good works.
Tit_2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
An exceptional teacher in most ways, but here he is wrong if he thinks the main audience is lost Jews and not believers.
I would suggest that the title of the book should give an indication that this book was written to the Jews.
Tradition? The book does not title itself, and certainly does not name Paul as its author (me thinks it was Apollos) but while it obviously was written to Hebrews, this does not mean it was unbelieving Hebrews, and page after page evidences it is exhorting immature (by the higher standards of that day) believers to hold firm to the faith. I left out cp. 13, which continues this,
"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. " (Hebrews 13:1-3)
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. " (Hebrews 13:7)
If you are trying to convince me that one must do something to keep their salvation, I'm very sorry but that is completely works oriented. Christ did it all.
Christ did do all that was necessary to provide salvation by faith, and all you need to do in believe, but faith in the Lord Jesus effects obedience towards its Object, relative to the knowledge of His will. Thus Reformers themselves taught that one begat the other, and thus,
Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever...Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt]
The Westminster Confession of Faith states:
Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love. [Westminster Confession of Faith, CHAPTER XI. Of Justification. http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/wcf.htm]
But if faith appropriates saving faith and works of faith testify to it being that kind of faith, then what does deciding to believe another gospel or living contrary to such a faith do (such as one in 1Tim. 5:8)? Gal. 5:1-4 and Heb. 3 + 10 seem to warn of forfeiting what faith appropriates.
Perseverance of the saints denies the elect can die in such a state, and that such that do were never regenerate Yet these warning are clearly written to believers, and it is hard to deny the fruits of some who did die in apostasy. Some see these warnings being used to turn believers back to faith, which the elect do, and which the chastening of 1Cor. 11:32 does, lest we be "condemned with the world."
However, the warnings are there (as are assurances that God works to bring repentance), and you know you are a believer if you heed them and repent as needed.