June 12, 2022 Preaching | Bro. Fred Magbanua
Is it possible for a Christian to lose his way, his faith, and his salvation? This passage in Hebrews 6 touches on those who have once been enlightened but have fallen away. It contains the most severe of warnings and the most controversial.
As they could be puzzling and challenging to understand, there have been different ways to interpret these verses and there are 4 common ones:
- First, it talks about the danger of Christians losing their salvation. This interpretation is generally not considered because of the clear assurance of salvation. In John 10:27-29, Jesus said that no one is able to snatch the sheep out of the Father’s hand. Another verse in John 3 says that whoever has the Son has eternal life.
- Second interpretation is that those who fall away are merely professing Christians and have fallen short of salvation. The author could be referring to Hebrews who were among Christians who were almost enlightened but went back to Judaism and the old sacrificial system. By going back, they re-crucified Jesus by siding with the Jews who were responsible for the crucifixion.
- Third interpretation is that this is only hypothetical – if a Christian can lose his salvation, it is impossible for him to be saved again. The argument against it is if this is only hypothetical, why make such a stern warning for it?
- Fourth and most plausible explanation is that it talks about the danger of Christians veering away from their faith in God resulting to disqualification from service, fruit, or rewards. Many who have taken this position believe that these verses only apply to true Christians. Since Christians cannot lose their salvation, then those who fall away are merely disobedient Christians who lose their rewards and cling on to their salvation by the skin of their teeth. It could also be that those who fall away may not entirely be willfully disobedient but may have just been unknowingly deceived. Equally dangerous is when a person keeps putting off returning to the Father. He might find the light becoming dimmer to the point where he can no longer find his way back or may not be able to see that light again.
In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus taught about the parable of the tares among wheat and makes a clear distinction between the believers and unbelievers. They are very similar to Hebrews 6:7-8, where the wheat are the productive and fruitful believers while the tares are good for nothing, burnt and thrown away.
What then should be our response? As 21st century believers, we must heed these warnings and ensure that we do not fall away. We must be S.A.F.E.
1. Be Strong and Abide in the Lord. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:10 to be all the more diligent lest we stumble. We must make a conscious effort to abide and stay connected to God.
2. Be Fruitful – One fruit is a transformed life, a growth in character that brings glory and honor to God. Another fruit is being part of the harvest where one sows and another reaps. As Christians, we must sustain our desire to share the gospel. In Eph 2:10, Paul tells us we are God’s workmanship created for good works which God prepared beforehand. Bearing fruit shows we are abiding in the vine, we have accepted the word and that we have let it grow in our lives.
3. Be Encouraging to one another day to day so that no one will be hardened by sin.