Today’s Bible Reading:
Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: Apostasy
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 6:4-6
4 It is
impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly
gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming
age, 6 if they fall away,
to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the
Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. (Heb 6:4-6
NIV)
OBSERVATION:
I observe two fundamental questions to be asked and answered
from this text:
1.
Is it possible for a born again believer in Christ Jesus to backslide
and lose the salvation He purchased for them?
2.
If a Christian can/does backslide, can they ever
receive the gift of eternal life again, or are they forever lost
without hope?
This text in and of itself seems to be saying that it is possible for one to backslide and
lose his or her salvation, and that “if they fall away” (Greek, parapipto – apostatize) it is
“impossible” to be saved again. But is that really the message here? As well as
examining this passage as a stand alone statement, let’s also take these
questions one at a time in the light of the whole of Scripture and the context within
which these verses are written.
First, the word “impossible” in the original Greek is adunaton, defined as weak, unable,
impotent, and may be used literally or figuratively to connote being passive or
not possible. So is the writer of Hebrews categorically stating that there is
no possible way for a backslider to ever again realize God’s grace for
salvation; or is he expressing in strong literary language the seriousness of
choosing to reject Christ and the foreboding consequences that will follow such
foolhardy expression of free will? Is he expressing the state of weakness a
decision to turn away from Christ will produce in one’s life?
In context the passage itself is followed by an admonition to
live our lives analogous to land that is fruitful and produces blessings rather
than land that produces only weeds that are useless and is “in danger” of
ultimately being burned with fire (see Heb 6:7). This is further indication
that the language be taken as a strong warning rather than a literal decree of
no possibility of restoration to relationship with God through Christ. Furthermore,
in the light of what we know of God’s nature from the whole of Scripture (e.g. “The Lord is… not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance” [2 Peter 3:9 NKJV], “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall
be saved” [Rom 10:13 NKJV]), we can surmise that we are never without hope.
We continue to have the free will to chose. Therefore, as woeful as one’s
choice to reject Christ after once believing in Him may be, I believe He longs
for that soul to turn again toward Him.
APPLICATION:
It is worthwhile to personally and honestly reflect upon the
ways we may be rebelling against the Lord’s presence and direction in our
lives. Not that we need to fret that our salvation may be lost because of our
occasional or frequent stumblings, for the Scriptures also assure us of the
security we may know in Christ. Apostasy occurs only when one “deliberately keeps
on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth” (Heb 10:26), and
willfully chooses to reject Christ. The admonition for me from these passages
is to continually choose paths and behaviors that move me closer to my Savior,
not further away.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for your gracious love and longsuffering for
me. I praise and worship You as the completely righteous and just God. My being
is filled with thanksgiving for the blessings of life my Creator has given to
me. Thank You that I am not alone, but that You are with me and dwell in me by
Your Spirit to daily choose the abundant life You have lovingly purchased for
me. Through Christ, Amen. -AP
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