In yesterdays study we looked at a passage that is difficult to understand. The author gave a dire warning to anyone who falls away from the truth, because denying the truth and hardening our hearts to it can cause us to reach a point where we no longer feel guilt or a need to repent. I do not believe he's saying that we can reach a point of wickedness where God won't allow us to repent, but that we can reach a point of wickedness where we don't want to repent.
The Apostle Paul once spoke of people who had abandoned the faith to follow lies and whose consciences had become "seared as with a hot iron". (1 Timothy 4:2) A garment that has been seared with a hot iron has holes in it, so Paul compares a wicked person's conscience to a garment that is no longer useful for its intended purpose. God gave us consciences for a reason, so that we can take the warnings of the Holy Spirit to heart. But when the conscience is full of holes through repeated rebellious living, those warnings slip right on through without making an impact.
It's one thing to be living in sin because of ignorance. If we had never heard of the God of Israel and if we weren't familiar with His laws and commandments, we might do something wrong without knowing it's wrong. This is why the Bible says that those who don't have the law will be judged without the law. (Romans 2:12a) This is also why the Bible says that those who know God's laws will be judged by them. (Romans 2:12b) But the author of the book of Hebrews isn't speaking to people who don't know God's laws. He's speaking to Jews who grew up under the Mosaic law. In addition, these Jews have converted to Christianity and they understand that they are now living under the law of grace because of the sacrifice Christ made for mankind. So they can't plead ignorance. And because they can't plead ignorance, if they choose to turn back from following Christ or if they choose to live in rebellion and sin, they should be especially ashamed of themselves. They are dishonoring the Lord who purchased their redemption with His own blood. "To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace." (Hebrews 6:6b)
When we who profess to be Christians live in immoral ways, it gives unbelievers the opportunity to scoff at the power of Christ. It allows them to make remarks like, "These Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites," or, "Christians are no better than anyone else," or, "If Jesus was really the Son of God, He could keep His followers from being such sinners." When we fall into a lifestyle of sin after coming to know Christ, and when we harden our hearts and continue living in that sin with an unrepentant attitude, we are saying that we don't value Christ enough to live a life that honors Him. This sets a bad example for our fellow Christians and it causes unbelievers to feel comfortable remaining in an unrepentant state. It makes unbelievers bolder than ever to blaspheme the name of Christ.
Because it's possible to reach a point where we no longer feel guilty, the recipients of the book of Hebrews are given an agricultural example that is easy for anyone to understand: "Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned." (Hebrews 6:7-8) The grace and mercy of God, and the word of God, falls on us like rain on a field. We can allow ourselves to be made fruitful by these blessings or we can allow ourselves to be unchanged by these blessings. The choice is ours.
Having said all this, the author reminds his readers that he believes they are capable of being very fruitful. They've already made a good start, as he mentioned in the beginning of this chapter. They haven't progressed as deeply in the faith as they should have by now, but they have a solid foundation from which to grow. So now that he's spoken some necessary harsh words to them, he follows up by encouraging them. He knows they have it in them to be profitable for the kingdom of Christ. "Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case---the things that have to do with salvation. God is unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what is promised." (Hebrews 6:9-12)
He says, "You've started out well. You've accepted Christ in faith. You've ministered to the saints. Don't stop there, but keep on growing in the faith and keep on doing what is right in the sight of God. Great promises are given to the Lord's people, so don't become lazy in the faith and cause yourself to miss out on any of these beautiful promises. Don't knock yourselves out of a blessing. God will reward your faithfulness."
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