WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 14 of 37

IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY

Whenever a view of God or His purpose is formed that is at variance with the "mind of the Lord," it will, by virtue of that contradiction, clash with some statement of Scripture. When thoughts are expressed in words that are in contradiction of Divine affirmation, they cannot be true. Just as the Savior, as "the Word," is the precise statement of the Person and purpose of God, so the Scriptures are a precise representation of what He has revealed of His Person and purpose.

It may appear on the surface as though this is beyond all controversy. That it should be, is not denied. Crystallized views of salvation, the New Covenant, and related matters, often conflict with the statements of Scripture. That very circumstance should raise a flag of warning to any person of tender heart. When a conflict does arise between the doctrines of men and the statements of Scripture, academia quickly runs to the aid of those who cannot face that conflict. Armed with supposed etymological expertise, men quickly descend into the areas of verb tenses, contextual considerations, original language nuances, and the customs of the times. They appear quite capable of explaining why their teachings are right, in spite of some thorny statements of Scripture. Sometimes, they apprise us, the translation of the Bible we possess is basically faulty. Fortunately, they have us to understand, they have been able to decipher the hard texts correctly. Nevertheless, we do not believe them.

We have a text before us that has caused no small difficulty in some circles. It is the word of God, and to that even of varying persuasions agree. Let us first subject our minds to the word itself. I will quote it from the KJV, but it is essentially the same in any standard translation.

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Heb 6:4-6).

This text is addressed to saints--those who are in Christ. In particular, it is delivered to believers who had been lingering in spiritual infancy, not moving on to maturity. Of them it is said, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat" (5:12). The Spirit strongly admonishes such to move along in the faith, not continuing to hash over the elementary, or foundational, doctrines. These included "repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment" (6:1-2). None of these were inconsequential, but neither were they to be a continual emphasis. In Christ, failing to grow up is always depicted as most serious. In fact, our protection from unsettling teaching depends on growing up into Christ in all things (Eph 4:12-16).

In a very arresting way, our text is preceded by these solemn words: "And this will we do, if God permit" (6:3). These words carry little weight at all if there is a guarantee that God will always permit such advance among those who have neglected "so great salvation" (Heb 2:3). It also goes without saying, that if God does not permit us to "go on to perfection," it simply cannot be done.

Our text (verses 4-6) is accounting for the need to "go on to perfection." It is explaining the jeopardy of not doing so. Remember, this is the Holy Spirit speaking, who has the entire arsenal of truth at His disposal. If men think they have understanding, the Spirit searches even "the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:10). He also knows how to express them in proper words.

At once we are faced with something that is "impossible." Not even the grammarians have trouble comprehending the meaning of "impossible." This is a word used at least ten times in the New Testament Scriptures (Matt 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 18:27; Acts 14:8; Rom 8:3; 15:1; Heb 6:4,18; 10:4; 11:6). Even a cursory view of the texts will confirm we are speaking about something that cannot be done. There are things men CANNOT do (Mk 10:27; Lk 18:27), and this text deals with one of them. The text is addressed to believers.

There is a special category of people that are mentioned. Five unique things are said of them. (1. They were "once enlightened." (2. They "have tasted of the heavenly gift." (3. They were "made partakers of the Holy Spirit." (4. They "have tasted of the good word of God." (5. They have tasted "of the powers of the world to come." There are few passages of Scripture that provide such a concise view of what happens when we come into Christ.

First, such are "enlightened," or illumined to the things of God. Later, the Spirit refers to the time these people were "illuminated." That illumination enabled them to "endure a great fight of afflictions," while they were made a spectacle because of their reproaches, afflictions, and identity with other suffering saints (10:32-34). This is the very word used for the ministry of Jesus, who "gives light to every man" (John 1:9). It is what Paul prayed for the Ephesians (Eph 1:18). This has to do with being able to see what was formerly hidden, and being able to comprehend what was before a mystery.

Second, those of reference had "tasted of the heavenly gift." They had received what God had granted–an "unspeakable gift" (2 Cor 9:15). From one view, this is the fulness of salvation itself (Eph 2:8). From the standpoint of being made right with God, it is the "gift of righteousness" (Rom 5:17). From still another perspective it is "eternal life" (Rom 6:23). The word "taste" is an especially strong one, denoting eating, or ingesting. It means to "come to know, experience, or partake of." The same word is used to describe our Lord laying down His life: He "tasted of death for every man" (Heb 2:9). That was certainly not a shallow experience.

Third, they were made "partakers of the Holy Spirit." They became partners with the Spirit, and received Him into their hearts (Gal 4:6). This is the companionship referred to in the expression, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom 8:16). This is a partaking, or participating in, that is necessary, for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Rom 8:9).

Fourth, they have "tasted the good Word of God." Like Jeremiah, they found God's words and "did eat them" (Jer 15:16). They had not thrust the Word of God from themselves, but had received it and taken it into their hearts and minds. This is a trait of people who are born again, as confirmed by Peter. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1 Pet 2:3).

Finally, they had "tasted . . . of the powers of the world to come." They had come into the fellowship of heavenly personalities (Heb 12:22-24). They had felt the impact of heavenly influence, and had experienced the drawing power that brings one into another realm.

What is it that is impossible to such fortunate souls? If they "fall away," it is "impossible to renew them AGAIN to repentance." There is a certain response that should be produced by such a word: a fervent effort of the individual to "go on to perfection." That is why the words were spoken–to induce such activity. But, alas, because these words chaff against some, they choose to tell us you cannot fall away. Or, they quickly develop a special explanation for the words "fall away." Their explanation is designed to neutralize the potency of this text, thereby making falling away something of little consequence. Where is there a spark of hope held out to someone who cannot repent – particularly the one who cannot be "renewed," or brought AGAIN to repentance?

The possibility of "falling away" is not the point here, but the inevitability of it if we do not "go to perfection." That is the point of the whole text. There is a line of demarcation that can be crossed by backward movement, or "drawing back" (Heb 10:38-39). The line is not defined, and no purpose would be served by providing such a definition. God knows at what point a person "cannot be renewed to repentance." Such a state does not take place when we live by faith and walk in the Spirit. But when the soul becomes lethargic, and withdrawal from God takes place, the person is moving toward the point from which retrieval is not possible. To "fall away" is to fail to respond to the graces of God, which fall upon the believer like plentiful showers from heaven. The next words of this passage declare, "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned" (6:7-8).

The knowledge of this is not to spark controversy, but a determination to "go on to perfection." That is precisely why these gracious words are added. "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" (6:9). That did not remove the warning, but made going forward more doable. If you are a representative of Christ, you are obliged to declare this text. If you find it difficult to receive it, say it anyway. Lift up your voice and speak in accord with the Holy Spirit. This is the same Spirit who promises God is able to able to keep you from falling (Jude 24-25). It is the same one who compelled Jesus to say, "They shall never perish" (John 10:28). He moved Paul to say that "nothing is able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:39). Faith can enable you to receive everything the Spirit has said. If you choose to be selective about what you receive, God will not honor what you imagine you have received.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know there is jeopardy in this world. I also know I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. In his name, I ask for strength go on to perfection.

-- Tomorrow: A STATE THAT IS WORSE THAN THE FIRST--