S) "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, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame."
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NASB)
O) This is a very difficult passage to grapple. On the one hand, it uses a very clear term, saying that these backsliders (if you will) are impossible to renew. This is very clear, very strong language. Even still, it is imperative that two things are kept in mind, when reading this passage. First of all, we need to remember that the writer is speaking to an audience. He is telling actual people about the impossibility of a task (renewing them again to repentance). So, the real pivot is on the verb, and discovering who is renewing. If the writer meant that God could not renew someone, that something was impossible for God, then that contradicts a great many scriptures. That cannot be what is meant in this passage. However, if the writer meant that it was impossible for his audience to renew the people that are described above... that's different isn't it? The second thing that is critical to remember, though, is that we are promised that nothing is impossible for us, if God is with us in the doing of it. After all, if God is for us, who can be against us? With man things are impossible, but with God all things are possible. Even the very act of repentance is infused with grace from God that is inseparable from the action of the person repenting. So, as dire as the above situation looks (from our impotent perspective), nothing is ever dire from the perspective of the omnipotent, sovereign, and mighty God.
A) This passage is nevertheless very difficult for me to read. Primarily, this is for two reasons. The first reason, is because of the open shame that is put to Jesus Christ, when this kind of person falls away. The second reason is because I was this person. There can be no doubt about my relationship with God by the time I was seventeen. I was attending church regularly, serving on the worship team. I was trying to fellowship with men who were fervent about their walk with God. I was baptized in water. I was praying in the Spirit. I was trying to worship and read my Bible everyday. Even with all of that, there came a time that I slowly fell away. I brought open shame to Jesus Christ, because I was no longer repenting from my sins. I was no longer submitting to His authority in obedience. I was suppressing the truth, and ignoring His voice. I was hardening my heart. This hurts to acknowledge, but I am not defeated. I was not defeated. I remember getting a phone call one evening, from a younger man that I had been discipling when I was in high school. He had heard that I was not living for God. He called me, challenging me about it. I completely shut down the conversation. It was impossible for him to renew me to repentance. I remember brief, quiet conversations with my brother, where he shared truth and hope and love with me, but it was impossible for him to renew me to repentance. However, years later, the Holy Spirit completely crushed me. God drew me back to repentance, revealing to me the futility of my thinking, and the destruction of my lifestyle. God renewed me to repentance. It is exactly because of my own experience, that I always carry hope, that there is not anyone who is beyond saving. Yes, it is true that my own actions may not be able to renew someone to repentance. But, is it ever my own actions alone? It will always depend on the ministry that only comes from the Holy Spirit. After all, no one comes to God unless they are called. While I share a responsibility to preach the gospel, and to share the love of Jesus, it is never going to be on my shoulders to renew someone to repentance. That is still going to be through God. While I may still have the joy of participation, that God may include me to draw someone into repentance (whether it happens all at once or takes time, like with the men who had prayed for me all the while I was fallen away), I have hope. I do not have hope in my abilities. I do not have hope in other people. I have hope in God.
P) Father, there are many loved ones in my life, who have fallen away. I know that my own hands are feeble, to renew them to repentance. However, You are all powerful. I know that Your word says it is not Your will for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. So Lord, I pray for my loved ones, that You would renew them to repentance. It is impossible for me, but for You all things are possible. Thank You for the renewal that I received. Thank You for convicting me everyday, and drawing me into repentance even still. Please let me be ever submissive to Your will. Be glorified in my life, by my testimony of Your goodness. Please continue building testimonies to Your grace in the lives of those I love. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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