In the book of Hebrews, the author, in chapter 6, warns those Christians that he/she is writing to about the dangers of falling away. Some of the readers, based on what the writer says in the text at the close of chapter 5, were not growing spiritually. They were still drinking "milk" but they had left the basics regarding the elementary principles of "the oracles of God". The writer says that some had become dull of hearing.
At the beginning of chapter 6, the writer says to his readers that they are to press on to maturity. The elementary teachings, according to Hebrews 6:1,2 were: 1. repentance from dead works 2. faith toward God 3. instruction about washing and laying on of hands 4. resurrection of the dead and 5. eternal judgment. Obviously, these things had been taught at length to these readers and the writer was trying to get them past these things into something deeper within God. The writer was trying to get them to grow up- and he/she did not leave out the possibility of revisiting those topics (Hebrews 6:3). Just as a point of clarity, we all need to be schooled in the elementary principles of Christianity- and we do need to review those things, even as we move further to maturity in our walk with Christ.
There is another set of people that the readers and the writer is obviously familiar with and he begins to deal with these people in verse 4. We can see a contrast here. The writer first deals with the spiritually immature and now he/she deals with those that were mature but had "fallen away". There is no reason given for why they fell away, but they did. The Greek word for fallen away is the word παραπίπτω, parapipto. This literally means that they have fallen away from "close beside". These were believers that were extremely mature. These were ones, according to the text: 1. had once been enlightened 2. have tasted of the heavenly gift and 3. have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit 4. have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. Wow. They were illuminated by God with knowledge and wisdom, have tasted or experienced God's grace, they were sharers with the Holy Spirit but it doesn't stop there. Where it says that they had tasted the good word of God, this is not logos word but rhema word- which usually indicates that it is a word spoken directly from God- a dialogue between himself and the believer!
Let's digest this. There were some believers that had become dull of hearing but they were at least salvageable and could be reeled in. There were other believers who were not dull of hearing at all, they were actually quite adept and skilled in the Word and had experienced everything that most believers would want. These were the ones that became apostate or decided to unfollow Christ. That is a very sobering thought. I don't know why they fell away, I don't know if they just one day decided to leave or progressively became more and more despondent with respect to the faith...but they just left the faith altogether. They turned back to their old ways. It is possible that these people got arrogant after being so enlightened. We see it every day. Folks begin to believe that it is about them and start telling you about their "anointing" before they even tell you their name. Maybe Satan robbed them of their faith (see earlier post, "What the Devil is Really After) and left them high and dry. Could it be that they zoomed through the elementary teachings and immediately tried to be Christian gurus? You know those types too, get saved on Sunday and Monday they are "theologians". We don't know and there are not a whole lot of clues here in the book of Hebrews to piece this together.
What I do know is this, there is great danger in turning back. The writer basically says this, it is impossible to restore them to repentance. They have been taught all of the elementary things and they have experienced the deep things and it was not enough for them. Why would they repent? This scripture confuses many because it is sometimes interpreted as saying that the one that walked away could never be forgiven. That's not true, there is only one sin that is beyond pardon (Matthew 12:32). It says that it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. If Jesus is not enough for them, then what else is there? Their walking away, after experiencing God's best, basically says this: Jesus needs to die again for my sins because once wasn't enough. Walking away (Verse 6) puts Jesus to open shame because by walking away, the person is saying to God, :I don't want the gift of grace, I don't want the gift of mercy, I don't need you...you gave me everything and I've decided that I do not want it. This Jesus that you have offered up as a ransom for my sins, I want no parts of." That's dangerous speech!
Let me encourage you today, if you've gotten weary on this Christian journey, don't turn back. There is nothing good in the place that God brought us out of. There is nothing holy there nor is there anything there worthy of our rejection of the true and living God. Rejecting Jesus, telling Him that his first sacrifice was no good is blasphemous and it is outright stupid. Especially in light of the fact that you/we have experienced some of the deep things of God! We know that He's real, we know that He's true, we know that He's faithful and just and loving. Why would we turn back? Stay where God has you and commit to His plan for your spiritual growth! Take some time to refresh yourself. Spend some time away from the world and reflecting on God's goodness and replenish. I don't know if these people were spiritually burnt out, but there are times that I feel burnt out and it is not a fun place to be. As a Christian, quitting is never an option. We are encouraged, even by this writer in chapter 12 to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith." Jesus lived the life of faith to the fullest- his humanity demanded that he live by faith! Stay the course Christian soldier, don't turn back...look up! Grace and peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment