Hebrews 6 (2)

Introduction
The problem with some people who identify with Christ is that identify is all they ever do. They’re like nibblers at a banquet. They sip a bit of worship, munch a little fellowship, and sample the Bible studies, preaching, and other resources of faith. But they never truly sink their teeth into the Christian life. When it comes time to pay the price the whole meal requires, they excuse themselves and move on. Such people have no root in themselves, so it’s no wonder that, come persecution or other distraction, their Christian identity goes undercover. Rather, they forsake their Christian identity to identify more with the people they want to please, beginning with themselves.

Meditate on Mark 4.1-9, 13-20.

Read Hebrews 6.4-6.

Think it through.
1.  That word impossible is very strong. In the Greek, it’s literally, not powerful to or unable. To what does this word refer (v. 6). To whom does this word apply (v. 4)? Is tastingof the “heavenly gift” and “the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” the same as coming to saving faith? Explain. Some enlightenment may occur in such people, and they may even become partakers of the Holy Spirit. But are they saved? Could it be possible that such people are deceiving themselves? Explain. Why would it be impossible for such people to be renewed “again to repentance”? Is God necessarily bound by what, to human beings, may be impossible? Explain.

2.  Enlightenment is not conversion; tasting the Word of God and the powers of the Kingdom is not the same as entering the heavenly gift of God’s rest; and partaking of the Holy Spirit is not the same as having Him dwelling within. Can you see why someone in this condition might easily fall away from faith? The writer is indirectly urging his readers to consider whether this might be their condition. When people do fall away from this condition, have they lost their salvation? Do you see why it is so important always to be pressing on toward maturity in the Lord? Explain. 

Meditate.
“I might also say to anyone who thought that this passage spoke of repentance, that things which are impossible from the human point of view are possible with God. God is able whenever God wills to forgive us our sins, even those which we think cannot be forgiven. And so it is possible for God to give us that which it seems to us impossible to attain.” Ambrose of Milan (333-397 AD)

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19.26

Lord, feed me today with the solid food of Your Word. Let my roots go down deep into Your Spirit, so that today I will…

Pray Psalm 127.
Note that word unless. Without the grace of God, everythingwould be impossible for us. Thank God for the ways His unless works to build and guard and bring forth fruit from your faith.

Psalm 127.1-5 (Leominster: Not What My Hands Have Done)
Unless God builds the house, the workers toil in vain; 
unless He watches o’er us all, the watchmen have no gain.
In vain we early rise, and late retire to rest, 
for God gives precious, needed sleep to those He loves the best.

All children are a gift and treasure from the Lord, 
a token of His constant grace, the fruitful womb’s reward.
Like arrows in our hand, the children of our youth
we, trusting Jesus, shape and send to bear the Word of truth.

The blessings of the Lord on fruitful families rest.
Both friend and foe alike shall know that they by God are blessed.
Praise God, Who builds the house, and watches o’er us all, 
and grants relief and fruitful wombs to all who on Him call.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.