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NASB | Hebrews 6:4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 6:4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, |
Bible Question:
I have read many of the responses to the question of Hebrews 6:4-6. It seems to be a difficult, and frightening idea that a believer can fall from grace to the point of never being able to come back to salvation. But consider this: When Peter denied Christ 3 times, didn't he fall under the Hebrews 6:4-6 passage? If not, then would you say that the 3 deliberate denials were just simply 3 sins and not a falling away? Or how about when Peter (Matt 18:21-22) asked Christ, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" So, what is exactly being said in Hebrews 6:4? Is it my own wishful thinking that says I can still be saved? You see, I truly beleived I was saved at one point, but slowly I drifted away from the Lord. My prayers became farther and farther between, and I eventually stopped reading the bible, and I fell back into my old sins. But several years later, I feel the honest need and desire to be close to the Lord again. I pray that I will never fall away again. But does this mean that I can never come back to the Lord again as stated in Hebrews 6:4-6? I do keep in mind what the Lord said, (Mark 3:28) Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter..." But I am still frightened. To be honest, I feel sick every time I read the book of Hebrews. No matter how much assurance I get from other passages in the bible, I am scared. It is good to be afraid of God, but not like this. I want to be happy that I have salvation, but the idea of being damned for eternity is to much to handle. What should I think? |
Bible Answer: Dear John K, Tim has some good points in his post. The Hewbrews thought that they were 'saved' by keeping the law. Think how radical that it must have been for someone to come along and share the gospel message with them that they no longer had to offer their sacrifices, they no longer had to go to the temple to worship, they no longer had to observe the Sabbath. This was probably one of the earlier letters, at least before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, so these believers did not have the entire new testament to completely explain Christ and what He did. My understanding of this passage is that it was written to tell them that if they did not accept Christ sacrifice, then there was no other sacrifice left to take away sins. They could go back to the temple and offer their bull or goat but God would not honor that. Salvation was by faith alone in what Christ did. He was the once for all sacrifice. I.e. if they profess to accept His sacrifice and say, 'Yes, I believe this gospel, but I'm going to the temple to get my sins forgiven', that just doesn't cut it. God did away with that old system. The new system only requires faith in what Christ has done. John, consider this: Peter was not a regenated person with the Spirit of God living inside him when he denied Christ. If anyone does not have the Spirit of God, he does not belong to Him - Rom 8:9. Peter was not, at this point, a new testament believer because Christ's sacrifice has not yet been made and the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. John, salvation is not how much you pray, read your Bible or how little you sin. Salvation is understanding the the wages of sin is separation from God but the gift of God is eternal life, knowing God. He who has the Son has the life. He who does not have the Son does not have the life. Faith in Christ is what saves you, brother, not faith in how well you live the 'Christian life.' None of us can do it perfectly. Do you understand that salvation is more than just having your sins forgiven? Salvation is life, eternal life that starts here and now. If the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells IN YOU, He will give eternal life to your mortal (uneternal) body. Accepting Christ is more that knowing that your sins are forgiven and promising to live a godly life. Only Jesus can live a godly life. And He will as you place your trust in Him and abide in Him. Here, my friend, is the bottom line. Despite what you, I, or others may think about this passage in Hebrews, if you are IN CHRIST (if that is where your trust for salvation is), there is NO CONDEMNATION for you. Why? Because Christ took it. All of it. He was made sin so that you can be HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. The law of the Spirit of LIFE has set you free from the law of sin and death - Rom 8:1,2. If you have Christ's life, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in you, then even if you sin, you don't get sin's wages. Christ got them for you. Despite what you may have heard, it is NOT good for you to be scared of God. God has reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus Christ and is no longer holding men's sins (what they do)against them. Your sin cannot prevent you from coming to God. The only sin that people need to repent of is the sin of unbelief in Christ. This is what the writer of Hebrews is saying - you need to change your mind concerning what you think saves you. Where have you put your trust and faith, brother? Is it in Christ and Him alone or in your performance? Do you KNOW that He now lives in you? Christ said that He came to give us LIFE and life more abundant. Why? Because we were dead in trespasses and sins? Have you accepted Him not just for the forgiveness that He offers, but for His very life? God so loved the John that He gave His only begotten Son so that if John believes, not in John, but in Christ, John will NEVER perish. Instead, John will have eternal life, right here, right now. Do you believe this? Praying for you, Bill Mc |