Today we’re going to talk about a controversial passage of Scripture that left many people wondering about its meaning. People quote it to support their own point of view when it comes to discussing salvation. The basic controversy is whether or not the person can become a Christian but later renounce their faith and turn away from God permanently.
The Apostle Paul declared his sincere confidence in Christ. (Philippians 4:13) In that chapter he shared the many and horrific experiences that he had because of his faith. He knew that whatever God allowed him to face in life as bad as it could be, he truly believed in the depths of his heart that he could endure all things through Christ.
There are some things that seem impossible. There are other things that really are impossible. For instance, it is impossible for God to do wrong such as lie. On the other hand, there are some things that only appear to be impossible. There remains a debate about our text as to the identity of those who have for themselves known what was impossible.
In Hebrews they have been described in specific terms. Scripture says they were once enlightened. But the context of that passage does not necessarily say that they have been in full knowledge earlier. It would be the same difference as if someone came into a dark room and passed a flashlight over all those who were present. They were enlightened but they were not in the light. The person who hears the word of salvation has been enlightened in the same way. However, that does not relate to the salvation experience because it simply tells of the shining Gospel’s activity throughout the world.
The people in question have also been identified as tasters of heavenly gifts and the good word of God and the powers of ages to come. To taste something does not mean that it satisfies hunger. This phrase betrays the limit for how a person can receive the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is an explanation of why some will be religious yet be spiritually starved. The word taste means sample. Every one of us have at times had experiences in which it was like a heavenly breeze. Such a person is someone who would have been pursued by good words without responding to what the word says.
These people have also been described as partakers of the Spirit. A person can be a partaker as a player on a team or could be a partaker as a spectator who observes what the team is doing on the field. The partaker is fully aware of the rules of the game and has no objection to others responding to God even though they do not. This is a situation of unbelief peppered with spiritual blackness. Partaking does not mean there is encouragement for interaction with God. A vacationer may be on a sailboat enjoying himself but if the rigging comes loose, there is definite danger.
So, what is the potential condition of the person described in the sixth chapter of Hebrews? The Bible says they fall away which means there is a requirement of some element of interference. People can beguile, defraud, attack, deceive themselves as well as others yet not destroy the efficacy of the blood of Christ and salvation. Here is the point of it all – a person can be a partaker, a taster, and be enlightened yet it remains that they were not actually under the influence of the divine grip that holds the believer to the heart of God. This person is without the ability of repentance. Because they have rejected Christ, they have rejected their only and last hope for eternity. There will never be another Jesus who died on the cross for mankind’s sins. There is no other alternative to gain salvation but through Christ. Their condition is more desperate and tragic than any other who never responded. The end result of their life will tell the story of the real condition of his soul. They may stumble yet must come back to Jesus because we all have moments of weakness and even commit sin, but the true believer falls under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and will repent sooner or later.
Christian Writer 