It is good to be an encourager!

The writer of Hebrews gave a blistering warning to the readers in Hebrews 6:4-8. It seems like it would never end but then come verses 9-12. It is a wise person who knows when to make a point but not beat up the person in the process. The writer believed there was hope for those who were falling away. He believed better things were in store for them. This is the only time in the letter that he called the readers, beloved. It was probably intended to demonstrate his sincere concern for them as brothers and sisters in Christ. William Barclay, It is precisely after the sternest passage of all that he uses the address of love. It is as if he said to them: ‘If I did not love you so much, I would not speak with such severity.’

We should learn from his wise method of counsel. When a person had a history of faithful service, remind them of what they had done. For the readers it was probably what he mentioned in Hebrews 10:32-34, But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. What they were is what they still can be through Christ. I am in agreement with Douglas Mangum, This reminder not only encourages them for their past faithfulness but also serves as motivation to continue in these good works of love.

The writer identified the source of their motivation which was to glorify God for the sake of His name. Raymond Brown, That was the leading ambition of Christ's life, and it must be ours also if we are to be acceptable servants. Work for Christ which is done entirely for the glory of God cannot possibly be overlooked by God. It is always appropriate to be reminded that our service must be a response of thanksgiving and not an attempt to gain God’s favor. Charles Spurgeon, Our faith does not cause salvation, nor our hope, nor our love, nor our good works; they are things that attend it as its guard of honor. The origin of salvation lies alone in the sovereign will of God the Father, in the infinite efficacy of the blood of Jesus—God the Son, and in the divine influence of God the Holy Spirit.

This section includes the importance of being diligent in faithful service to the end. One commentator speaks of the writer’s desire that the readers will have the ability to translate Christian conviction into action. That is a hope we all should pursue until the end when Christ returns and hope is fully realized. R. Kent Hughes, Today’s culture has come very near to making a religion of sloth. Carried to the ultimate, it separates us from God because it erases caring. . . A lazy life can be an indication of a graceless life.

Finally, the readers are encouraged to imitate those who by faith and patience have inherited the promises. Conformity to the image of Christ is a road less traveled but traveled by many since the resurrection of Christ. William Barclay, Christians are not treading an untrodden pathway; they are treading where the saints have trod. Such a path demands faith and patience with assurance based on the faithfulness of our triune God.

I encourage you to join the study of Hebrews 6:9-12 under the Books of the Bible tab. It is a privilege to participate with the Holy Spirit in becoming more like Christ. May we receive encouragement along the way as well as giving it to others.

The danger of falling away!

Scripture is a gift from God which demands our full attention. Some passages clearly proclaim what God wants us to know. Others require much prayer, study and personal examination in order to understand what God has written to us. Hebrews 6:4-8 probably tops the list of passages that cause us to cry out for discernment. It is helpful to understand that the writer of Hebrews is not writing a theological treatise but a letter from a pastor’s heart.

Donald Hagner rightfully states, . . . he is very anxious for the ultimate well-being of his readers. They must know the grave seriousness of falling away from their Christian faith and recognize that there is no easy way back from apostasy. The point of this letter is to motivate readers to spiritual maturity. Hebrews is not just a series of warning passages but a message of hope. As will be seen in the next section, Hebrews 6:9 is an encouragement to the readers that God has better things in store for them, and for you and for me.

There are numerous interpretations by Godly commentators concerning this passage. The ones most worthy of consideration are warnings for believers who may lose salvation; for those who profess faith but were never saved; a hypothetical view (if a Christian could lose salvation there could be no repentance); and for believers who apostasize (rejecting Christ, not falling into sin). All warnings center on repentance. A proper definition of repentance is a change of mind in thought and behavior concerning sin and righteousness.

The writer describes the spiritual background of those who are in danger of apostasy. They are described as enlightened, as those who have tasted the heavenly gift, as those who shared in the Holy Spirit, as those who have tasted the goodness of God’s Word and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away.

There are no easy answers for Hebrews 6:4-8. Proper understanding should not be for the purpose of gaining theological points but to have the mind of Christ. This passage has real answers for real people with real needs. I believe there are principles of interpretation which help us gain the insight we need to live in the real world. A proper understanding of this and other warning passages in Hebrews must center on the original recipients, Jewish Christians, and the writer’s intended purpose, that they move on to spiritual maturity. Of course, proper interpretation demands an understanding which is compatible with clear passages. Scripture never contradicts itself. This warning passage is serious and should not be taken lightly. Yet, it must not be made to say more than what is intended by the Holy Spirit.

The following quotes encouraged me to dig deep and pray hard concerning this passage. First, William Barclay, Sin does not only break God’s law; it breaks his heart. Second, Thomas Kem Oberholtzer, The illustration clearly shows that a judgment is in view. Is this judgment temporal discipline of believers or a final judgment resulting in eternal damnation?

I encourage you to join the study of Hebrews 6:4-8 under the Books of the Bible tab. I believe God wants us to know His Word in order to live it. I pray the conclusions are biblically sound and profitable for training in righteousness. God does have better things in store for all who place their faith in Christ alone.

Spiritual maturity is for every believer!

A study of Hebrews 6 brings fear to many because of the strong warning in verses 4-8. I believe a proper understanding of that warning begins in verses 1-3. I believe difficult passages must be interpreted in the light of clear passages. Based on the person and work of Jesus Christ, the warning in Hebrews can’t refer to the loss of salvation. Therefore, what is the true meaning of verses 4-8?

The purpose of Hebrews 6 is to call Christians to spiritual maturity, not to the threat of perdition. The writer declared that he and the readers needed to move on from relearning the basics of spiritual truths and grow deeper in those truths. It is easy to misunderstand what is meant by leaving the elementary doctrine of Christ. The things listed are important doctrinal issues. William L. Lane states the writer . . . is not dismissing it but regarding it as so well established that the urgent need is for a fuller appreciation and application of that teaching.

Each doctrinal point in the list was part of Judaism as well as Christianity. This week’s lesson enables one to identify the distinction between the two. A key to understanding the meaning of verses 1-3 is the relationship it has to the warning of verses 4-8. Both center on the Jewish converts’ commitment to the Christian meanings and not turning back to the Jewish meanings. Donald Hagner states a plausible reason for the readers’ immaturity, They may have been trying to survive with a minimal Christianity in order to avoid alienating their Jewish friends or relatives. Also, it is possible that the warnings in Hebrews are meant to encourage Hebrew believers not to slip back to Old Testament meanings.

Of course, the warning passages are meant for every Christian. For Gentile Christians, I believe the emphasis of this passage is the importance of pursuing spiritual maturity. It does not require complete knowledge but deeper understanding and fuller application of what has been learned. Zane Hodges, What he wanted them to do was to press forward. But he was perfectly aware that this required more than his effort to challenge his readers to make progress.

A final note concerning spiritual maturity is found in verse 3, And this we will do if God permits. I believe this statement sets the stage for the upcoming warning. It is an important reminder that spiritual maturity is not guaranteed by human effort. The writer desires that every Christian would become spiritually mature. Yet, he knows that spiritual maturity is the work of God. Thomas Constable, Spiritual maturity does not come by our striving in self-effort but by our cooperating with God as we do His will depending on His help. We could easily substitute spiritual maturity with the word sanctification which is the privilege of moving forward in conformity to Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.

May we seek God’s wisdom as we seek to more deeply understand the doctrine of Christ. There is only one foundation which is solid and that is Jesus Christ. Let’s not only make Him our foundation but by God’s grace, may we build on that foundation lives that glorify Him.

As we continue the study in Hebrews, take to heart the words of R. Kent Hughes, It was possible for Hebrew converts to yield gradually to hostile pressures from the old life and give up more and more of the distinctives of their new faith without much notice—and some were doing just that! . . . if we are sliding, losing our grasp on things that were once clear, caring less about God and holiness and the world, we had better drop everything and tend to our souls.

May we tend to our souls as we dig deep in the Word of God. Join the study of Hebrews 6:1-3 which may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. A solid foundation is only the beginning of one’s life in Christ.