Title: Sin Falling from Faith
(33) Sin falling from the faith
(Heb 6:4-8)
The verses in today's text are theologically controversial verses. Many who interpret the Bible according to Arminianism are citing this verse to assert that even saved Christians can fall and go to hell. In this way, they refute the Calvinistic theory of predestination with these words in Hebrews 6.
1. Problem solving
(1) The key to this problem is in verses 4-6. First, he said, 'I got a bib once'. Saying that you have received the light once is different from saying that you have received the light. It is an expression indicating the fact that the light has been received for a while. It is not that you are the owner of the light, but that you have been shone by the light for a while. Christians are exposed to the light several times until they are saved. Through the shining of light, God allows people to come into contact with God's Word and to understand it to some extent. Sometimes He gives grace and guides us so that we can live like Christians.
In the parable of the seed that the Lord spoke of, the seed that fell on the rocky ground clearly does not mean that salvation is guaranteed. However, I received the word with joy and had hope in the word and lived like a Christian for a while until the test came from the word. Until he fell out of faith, he misunderstood others as seeds that fell on good soil, and he must have lived a life of faith with the saved people. We must not become people who come before God by receiving only the shining of light. As children of light, we must become saints who bear the fruit of light.
(2) It is said that he tasted the heavenly gift for the second time. The expression “gift” here refers to the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit. The 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians 12. But what we need to know is that the gift of the Holy Spirit is not a sign of salvation. To receive the Holy Spirit means that you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and have been united with Christ to receive salvation. However, the gift of the Holy Spirit is not necessarily a gift given only to saved Christians.
Once upon a time, the Holy Spirit came upon Saul and prophesied. Balaam also prophesied under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Balaam's donkey also spoke in human tongues according to the work of the Holy Spirit. However, not all of them were saved. Of course, those who have received the Holy Spirit and are saved will have to receive the gift and devote themselves to the church, but there are cases where unregenerate people receive the gift.
(3) Then it was said that we became partakers of the Holy Spirit. Those who are saved through union with Christ are not those who have partakers in the Holy Spirit, but those who have received the Holy Spirit. To participate means to be held captive by the power of the Holy Spirit for a short time. The state of being greatly moved by the Holy Spirit at a revival meeting, seeing some kind of vision, or experiencing the undeniable work of the Holy Spirit is expressed as participating in the Holy Spirit.
(4) Next, he said that he tasted the good word of God and the power of the world to come. To have tasted the word of God means that unregenerate people experienced the power of the word while they were living their faith life. The same can happen to those who are not saved. However, this obedience does not go on continuously. When trials come because of the Word, they turn away from the Word and betray God. The word “power in the afterlife” refers to some hope for eternal life and heaven. However, in verse 6, it is said that those who have fallen through this kind of life cannot be regenerated and converted again. The fall here does not refer to any crime, but it means to deviate from the right path, to turn to another path, and it refers to a state of permanent departure from the faith.
2. Let's consider the true meaning of these words
Until they fall, these people go to church for a while and lead a Christian life like wheat. It is acknowledging yourself that you are a Christian. But the day will come when their false self will be revealed to them. Falling is that. Whatever the motive for this fall was due to some sin, it may be from the counsel of another person or from a change in the environment. At this point, they fall out of faith. The reason they fall is that they are consequently unsaved weeds. What we need to know biblically clearly is the fact that saved believers cannot reach the place of destruction or escape from salvation under any circumstances. It may seem like that at times, but in the end, you repent and come back. We can find in verse 8 that these are people who have lived a life of faith in a state of not being saved. The fruit of their religious life was to produce thorns and thistles. The saved saints bear the fruit of life.
Conclusion: People who come to church without any fruit during their long religious life are likely to fall under this case. If you live a life of faith that produces thorns and thistles without fruit, you are likely to fall under this situation. We must take this word as a warning and live a fruitful life in Christ. You must have faith in Jesus Christ and have faith to look to hope and run.