SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. [Hebrews 6:4-6]
Does this passage teach that even hardcore believers can fall away, and that once they do they’re doomed?
I do not read this as a technical or legal statement, as in a contract; rather I read it as a practical, experiential statement, a sad observation about what happens when someone falls away.
The fact is, when this happens to someone, the likelihood of their coming back is next to impossible.
This does not mean that it is impossible for God (think of Peter’s denial and restoration), but for a person to have gone so far with God to turn away from it, it seems pretty final.

I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” [Mark 3:28-29]
Is the writer of Hebrews talking about sinning against the Holy Spirit, the unforgiveable sin.
Again, not reading this passage as a technical statement, I see them both addressing the same kind of thing.
They are both talking about people who have experienced God’s grace in amazing ways, but who after going so far with Him, then decide to reject His grace.
In time, if that path is not corrected, they will ultimately come to a place where they shut the door on God, on Jesus, and the Spirit within them drawing them back.
I don’t know when, I don’t know how, I just feel that this is true.
People can come to a place where they are totally closed to God, and it becomes impossible for them to come back… and they will never experience God’s forgiveness.

Theologians have debated “election” and “eternal security” and “perseverance of the saints” (the idea that ‘once saved, always saved’), but I refuse to get into that debate.
Our minds cannot penetrate the mysteries of God’s electing grace and our human choice [Deuteronomy 29:29].
All we know is that from our point of view, we need to persevere, to be diligent, to make every effort to hang on to God… otherwise we might fall away.
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. [Hebrews 6:11-12]
Notice how the writer uses the words in order to make your hope sure; what we are making sure is not God’s part [which is firm and secure, Hebrews 6:19] but ours.
We should not become lazy, as if election guarantees our salvation.
For the author also makes it plain that it IS POSSIBLE for someone that has had all the experiences listed in Hebrews 6:4-6 to fall away – hence the need for diligence!
Or as Peter says, Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:10-11]

This is the sense I am getting from today’s reading, and Jesus’ warning: make your calling and election sure!

PRAYER:
Lord, Your love for me is secure, it is my love that is weak. I cannot save myself, but I do need to seriously and diligently strive to work out Your free gift of salvation, with fear and trembling (zeal and sincerity).