| What About Hebrews 6?, Part 6: What is He Saying? |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, May 28 2007 00:00 |
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Heb.6:4 “For i t 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.” Last time we examined two possible interpretations of this verse. Please notice that the description suggests a true Christian, for only a regenerate person would truly be enlightened (and the Greek verb suggests that), and share in the Holy Spirit, and experience these other listed blessings. The warning is linked to basic doctrines that he mentions in verses 1-3 by the word “for.” He seems to be warning them against the possibility of falling away due to their ignorance and immaturity. In such a case it would be impossible to renew them again to repentance. The verb suggests a fresh renewal of repentance. If they looked to the ceremonies of the law and denied Christ because of their immaturity and inexperience with sound doctrine, and if God withdrew His grace and cursed them like ground that brings forth thorns and thistles instead of a useful crop, and the experience of divine grace could not hold them, they need not think they could come back as if nothing happened. Thinking that their works in obedience to the law (“dead works”) could avail without God’s grace applied through the Holy Spirit is ridiculous. If God’s grace is not enough, nothing is. And if God’s grace is sufficient, then returning to the law is denying Christ’s atonement. The warning is real, and it is designed to wake them up. They need to leave their fascination with the old rituals and learn what their great High Priest has done for them. It seems to be a hypothetical ad hominem argument, but it is none the less real and to be taken seriously. God will preserve his elect to salvation, but His people must persevere in faith and obedience. The case the writer describes has never happened and never will happen, but God uses such warnings to bring about their never happening. Peter denied Christ, but the intercession of Christ brought him back, and so it will with us – but our works do not bring us back. Grace did not fail Peter, but if it did us, then we have no hope; we shall be cursed by God. The ceremonies of the law do not forgive our sin! The writer affirms, however, that he is convinced that they are saved and will do the things of salvation, even though he has to speak in this way. He speaks in this way – a contrary-to-fact case – to impress on them the seriousness of listening to what he has to say about Christ’s priestly work, of growing up both in their understanding and in their Christian life! |
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