JC Blog

Every new believer has at one time or another struggled over this question of losing their salvation. They’ve messed up and assumed that what they’ve done proves they aren’t saved. Of course the devil is right there planting these ideas into their head. But as we have already seen, you cannot lose your salvation, which was a gift. Neither will God take it back from you.

Let’s go back to my camp days again... There was another counselor who had been learning about this in Bible college and started challenging me whether or not you could lose your salvation. To even phrase it like that, I don’t believe he understood this principal either, because it really should be a non-issue among Christians. It is in the scriptures to show us the incredible facets of God’s nature, meaning he gives us a choice because this is the highest form of relationship one can have. Everyone in this kingdom is here by choice, personal choice. It is not a matter of losing it rather returning or renouncing it.

This is why the Lord outlined the guidelines for being mature enough to renounce such a great salvation. He will not hold you accountable unless you are fully aware of the decision. For instance, if when a child, I ran away from home and decided I no longer wanted to be a part of my family, the police would find me and return me to my parents. Even if I told them I wanted to change my name and cut all ties. They wouldn’t allow such a decision from a child, even a teenager because there is no understanding of the long term effects of that decision. However, now that I am an adult, legally I could go down to the courthouse, change my name, renounce my birthright, cut off all association with my family and the courts would grant this decision in my favor. And the Law would back me up. My parents would have nothing to say about it because legally I am an adult and I am responsible and fully aware of the full weight of my decisions.  

The same is true of God, He does not allow this decision to be made by a person unless certain requirements have first been met. Because verse 6 exclaims that they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and publicly shaming him before the world (Hebrews 6:6). Since there was only one sacrifice for sin for all time (Hebrews 8:27; 9:12; 9:28; 10:10; 10:12; 10:14; 10:18), to reject this gift after experiencing it leaves a person in bad shape. There is no other salvation, which is why Peter said it would have been better for the person to never have known the way of righteousness than to know and turn back once again to the pollution of the world (II Peter 2:20-21). As in the previous example, one must be fully aware of the  weight of their decisions to be held accountable, so certain requirements must be met . 

"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). 

First, the person has to be enlightened. The Greek word is phōtizō, which means to give light, to shine, to enlighten, light up, illumine, to bring to light, render evident. It also denotes causing something to exist and come to light becoming clear to all. To enlighten spiritually with saving knowledge. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit gives us a working knowledge of God. It’s a revelation, it changes our entire way of thinking because we are new creations.  

Secondly, the person has to have tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. This is more than being born again by the regenerating work of Holy Spirit. This is operating in the kingdom. The word used for gift describes spiritual or supernatural gifts. The word for heavenly denotes things that take place in heaven not on earth. The word for tasted is defined as to partake of, enjoy, make trial of, or experience. In other words, the person actively participates in the kingdom by operating in the gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12-14).

Next, the person must have tasted the goodness of the word of God. The Greek word used here is rhēma, the spoken word. The significance of rhēma as distinct from logos (written word) is not referring to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need. It is the ability to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17) and skillfully use it. This is our defense and offense here on earth. To use it, we must know and have spiritual insight into the scriptures. This comes through maturity and enlightenment by the Holy Spirit over time.

Lastly, the person must have experienced the powers of the coming age. The writer is talking about dynamis power, it is where we get the word for dynamite. It is defined by Strong’s Concordance as inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. The power for performing miracles. The age being referred to is one of indefinite duration, eternity. This makes sense since the person is fully operating in the kingdom, its gifts and power.

These four things are required before God holds one accountable to make this decision. Notice, if after experiencing all of these things, hardness of heart takes over to the point they decide to renounce God, the reason they cannot be restored once again is because it is impossible for them to be brought back to repentance. If they’d repent, God would restore. But in this state of a reprobate mind the person basically becomes a God-hater.

This is why the writer of Hebrews begins this chapter instructing us to progress in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Because fellowshipping with the Lord protects the heart from the cares and worries of this world. Peter said, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 2:2-3). We should experience the Lord and enjoy Him and progress in our revelation of Him. In this way, we guarantee what has been promised to us through faith in Christ, protecting our hearts from forgetting what has been purchased for us. “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).

We've established that you cannot lose your salvation, nor can anyone take it away from you, but Hebrews teaches that it is impossible to be brought back again to repentance once you've fallen away. If it is possible to fall away after being born again, it is important to look at this and understand what the writer is saying. Remember for every Biblical truth there is an equal and opposite truth that appears to contradict. Like our example of the tightrope, these truths pull in an equal and opposite direction to bring balance. In all cases it is not an either or scenario, but both. So understanding both sides of the apparent contradiction will expand your revelation of God's amazing grace and heighten your appreciation of the choice offered to you in Jesus.

Salvation is a choice and every person is offered this choice as a gift of God's grace. The choice is whether or not you accept Jesus as Savior and Lord and place your faith in Him. God does not make you chose Him although He desires it. He did everything possible to offer this to us but when it comes to the bottom line, we have a choice whether or not to accept this gift. John says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God" ( John 1:12-13 ). The only thing required is receiving this free gift.

So, if the only way into the kingdom of God is by choice, then it also makes sense that the only way out of the kingdom is by choice. Remember you cannot lose your salvation, no one can take it from you, God will never leave you or forsake you, but at any point you decide you no longer want to belong in this kingdom, you can renounce it and God honors that decision. God chose us and in return he wants us to chose him This is the highest form of relationship one can have, one of mutual choice.

In Paul’s beautiful expose to the Romans he said, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” ( Romans 8:38-39 ). Nothing external can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus but notice a person’s free will is not on that list.

This is why the writer of Hebrews advises us to get past the elementary truths of God and to gain knowledge and spiritual insight. Because the more you know about God and his loving nature toward you the less likely you will become complacent in this life concerning the things of God. The less complacent, the less hard of heart and more responsive toward the Holy Spirit and His leading in your life. In other words, the more you have an intimate working knowledge of God, the less likely you will be to fall away because of the snares of this world.

Peter also had something to say about this. "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." ( II Peter 2:20-21 ).

This concept is mentioned in scripture to show us God’s full nature of grace not to give us an out. His desire from the beginning has always been to have relationship with us, which is why He sent Jesus to restore all things. It is our choice and always remains such. However, there are conditions on falling away or in essence becoming reprobate and renouncing salvation. It is not something one can do easily. Certain guidelines must first be met, in other words, one must be a mature Christian and fully aware of the decision and it’s result.

Join me tomorrow for Part 4 of 4, The Conditions of Becoming Reprobate.

If it is possible to fall away, as this passage in Hebrews suggests, or in effect become again as an unbeliever without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, this verse seems to contradict others throughout scripture which talk about eternal redemption. So, it is important to first look at eternal redemption, what it is, what has been promised and who it is for; so we understand what the writer is saying in these verses concerning falling away.

Eternal redemption can be defined in this way; it is putting saving faith in the complete and perfect work of Jesus Christ, confessing Him as Lord, accepting the payment and forgiveness for your sins, trusting in Him to do what you cannot do. Once this happens you are saved, period. This is an eternal decision. You cannot lose what has been given to you as a gift.

Jesus made this quite clear. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” ( John 10:27-30 ).

Paul asked a similar question in Romans 8, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" ( Romans 8:35a ). His response, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:38-39 ).

Besides these verses which clearly teach that no outside force can separate us from God, we have several promises from Jesus that show His intention for eternal redemption. First he offers us eternal life ( John 3:16; John 3:36; John 10:10; John 17:3, I John 5:11-13 ). Secondly He told us He would never leave us or forsake us ( Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5, John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5 ). Next, He gave us the Holy Spirit as a deposit to ensure these promises ( Romans 8:15-17; II Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:4-6 ). Next, He gave us power and authority in this world and over the forces in the world ( Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:19; Romans 8:17; Ephesians 2:6; I John 5:4-5 ). Lastly, He wrote our names in the Lamb’s book of Life and keeps a record in heaven of all of those who have placed faith in Him ( Luke 10:20; Revelation 20:12;15 ). These few things only scratch the surface when it comes to the promises that God made to us because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. And if that isn’t enough, He promised Jesus on oath that He would never change his mind regarding these things ( Hebrews 6:17-18; Hebrews 7:21-22 ). So we can have confident hope in the things promised to us regarding eternal life and our redemption.

Another amazing truth is that this offer of salvation is for anyone regardless of what you have done or haven't done. Paul said, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” ( Romans 10:13 ). There was no qualifier to this statement, it is for everyone. All that is required is to ask, believe and receive. It doesn't get any simpler than this.

By considering all of these things, we can see how it is impossible to lose your salvation once you have placed saving faith in Jesus and what He did to bring you into fellowship with God the Father. You cannot lose it, you cannot misplace it and most importantly it cannot be taken away from you.

We've established that you cannot lose your salvation, but Hebrews teaches that it is impossible to be brought back again to repentance once you've fallen away. Join me tomorrow as we look at what falling away means… in Part 3, What Does it Mean to Fall Away? 

"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 )

Growing up Baptist, I held tightly to the doctrine 'once saved, always saved'. So you can imagine the ground shaking experience that occurred one summer at camp when my counselor co-worker challenged this idea. He was attending Bible college at the time learning all sorts of things. As he shared this knowledge, confusion about what I had always believed set in. I realize now what he was trying to say, but at that time, I wasn't able to reconcile this truth in full understanding. Even reading a verse such as this, can challenge our core belief system unless we understand several things. However, to comprehend the fullness of God's grace, having insight into a passage of scripture such as this is extremely important.

Every great truth in the Bible, appears to have a contradiction. This is why we get so many divisions among believers who cannot agree and argue these doctrines. However, there are always two sides to every truth and understanding both sides brings balance to each truth in the Bible. Each idea is usually not an either or but both. A good illustration I once heard a speaker use is that of a tightrope. If I was going to cross a gorge on a tightrope I would need anchor point securely fastened on each side of the gorge. I would want the tension and pull to be the exact same so I could walk the entire length of the rope without it losing structure. If they were not both pulling in the opposite direction with the same force. I would never securely make it across.

This is a great picture to understand why it is important to have equal and opposite truths that appear to contradict. Because it gives the pull needed to find balance between both ideas and both truths. Comprehending all facets will bring a deeper understanding of scripture and an intimate working knowledge of God and His infinite grace.

At first glance, this verse seems to be floating in this chapter out of nowhere. The writer is encouraging the reader to progress in their knowledge of truth. Then out of the blue He warns against falling away, noting it is impossible to be brought back again to repentance once this happens. This can be a little disconcerting because life carries us through ebbs and flows without the need to worry about losing one's salvation. So the question naturally becomes, once you are born again, can you lose your salvation?

Tomorrow we will look at this question and find the answer by looking at the promise of salvation. Please join me for part 2, The Basis of Eternal Redemption.