THE DANGER OF FALLING AWAY

 

As we meditate our scripture today from Hebrews 6 - we have read a warning to all Christians — not just Christians but to those who have served, enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift and experienced the power of God and have worked with the Holy Spirit — these are the Christians who have impressive experience working with the Lord — but fell away from the Lord.

It says it is impossible to go back to the Lord and be saved — this is BIG! 

(v4-5)  4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

We may have received gifts and used by the Lord in His works, we may have done things for the Lord like :

 Energetically evangelized (Matthew 23:15).

· Impressively prayed (Matthew 23:14).

· Made rigorous religious commitments (Matthew 23:16).

· Strictly and carefully tithed (Matthew 23:23).

· Practiced fasting regularly (Luke 18:12).

· Yet Jesus called them sons of Hell (Matthew 23:15).

Let us take a look at the example of Demas:

· Demas is called a fellow worker with Paul (Philemon 24).

· Yet Paul condemned Demas, at least hinting at apostasy (2 Timothy 4:10).

Judas is also a perfect example.

WHY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO GO BACK? 

as explained in v6 it is now our choice to crucify Him again and to put Him to an open shame. So it will be hard for us to seek TRUE REPENTANCE.

(v6) 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

How do we know we are falling away?

V7-8 showed that we receive the same rain from heaven (same blessings/teachings) but what do we bear? do we bear WHEAT OR WEEDS?

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

Let us reflect...

- God may have used us mightily, spoke to us and allowed us to experience is might and power — but where are we now? do we bear wheat or weeds now?

BUT GOD IS TRUE TO HIS PROMISE. He is a just God who will not forget all our works —  we only need to hold on to our faith and diligently continue on with Jesus — 

10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 

*** FOR HOW MANY TIMES I whined and told God I am tired and I want to stop serving Him —BUT I STILL KEEP ON SHOWING UP!

We are allowed to get tired and complain to the Lord but we need to keep on showing up and diligently obey with TRUE REPENTANCE. 

Let us keep on holding on to our faith remnants!

Amen.