Bible Reading: 2 Kings 24; Hebrews 6; Joel 3; Psalm 143
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
It is impossible to renew an apostate to repentance. What is an apostate? This is a person who follows Christ for a while and then rejects and renounces Jesus. The question is, can this happen to a true believer? The Bible here describes how close this person comes to Christ.
1. They were once enlightened. Obviously they had head the gospel and came to an understanding of what it means to be saved.
2. They had tasted of the heavenly gift. You can taste something without actually eating it.
3. They had partaken in the ministry of the Holy Ghost. Remember that the Holy Ghost does a sanctifying work in unbelievers (1 Corinthians 7:14). He also works in the lives of unbelievers in his reproving ministry (John 16:8-11). A person can partake of the Holy Ghost without being saved.
4. They have tasted the good word of God. Thousands attend church every Sunday and get a taste of the good word of God and never actually feed on it for themselves.
5. They have tasted of the powers of the world to come. These people have gotten a glimpse of the miracles that Jesus and the apostles did. They have also learned of the miracles that will accompany the Millennial kingdom.
After all this they fall away. Were they ever actually saved? No, because salvation is eternal and believers are secure in Christ. This person is liken to ground that receives rain.
Hebrews 6:7-8 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
The ground is no good and though it gets plenty of rain, it only bears thorns. This person has heard the truth and had the Holy Spirit reprove him. He knows how to be saved, but rejects Christ. He is crucifying the Son of God afresh and putting Jesus to an open shame. This person was never saved in the first place. He is not a backslider. He is an apostate who completely rejects Jesus Christ.
Can this happen to a genuine believer? The answer is no and the Bible tells us that the apostle expected something different for the Hebrew believers.
Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
If you truly belong to Christ, you are secure. Praise the Lord for salvation!
In Christ,
Rody
