Hebrews 6:1-8 Impossible?

In Chapter 6 of Hebrews, the author continues his insistence that they move forward in their understanding, continue to grow in their faith. He includes himself by using the pronoun “us” and “we.”

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. (Hebrews 6:1-3 NLT)

And then he makes a disturbing statement that could, and probably does, confuse many.

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,  who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—  and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. (vs. 4-5)

Is he saying that it is possible to lose your salvation? I think not. He is clearly not talking about a true believer here, but about someone who has tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—  and who then turn away from God. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on these verses, suggests that this is like the person at a street fair who tastes a sample of something, possibly likes it, but decides not to buy and moves on. This is someone who has heard the gospel, maybe even liked what he heard, maybe even started coming to church, but when things got a little difficult, this person turns away disillusioned, because he never counted the cost.

The Apostle John seems to confirm this view of those who fall or turn away:

These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. (1 John 2:19)

Jesus indicated that there were several reasons why people will fall away in His parable of the Sower:

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.  The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.  The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. (Matthew 13:19-22)

The writer of Hebrews says it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened. . . and who then turn away from God. Yes, it is impossible for man, but ALL things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26) We should never give up on anyone - even if his heart appears hardened to us. Only God knows the hearts of men. Our job is to keep presenting the gospel and to pray for the Holy Spirit to do the work in the heart.

However, the author of Hebrews also indicates that there is a point of no return for those who continue to reject Jesus Christ, because by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. (Hebrews 6:6b) And there is a cost for that: 

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.  But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. (vs.7-8)

We all know and could probably recite John 3:16, which spells out the good news:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

But do we know what comes after this? Here’s the “bad news:”

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:18)

Do you have loved ones who have turned away from or rejected Jesus? Don’t give up! Keep praying! Ask the Lord to send believers into that person’s life who will be able to show him Christ - maybe in a way that you can’t. I cling to the wonderful example of the thief on the cross next to Jesus who made the last minute confession of faith before dying, and Jesus promised him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) That’s amazing grace!