The following verse deals with the destiny of those who choose to leave God: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).
This passage has been a source of confusion and discouragement to many. Some understand it to mean that those who fall away from the faith are lost. But can such people be saved again? Can they be restored to Christian fellowship and again receive the favor of God?
Most commentators agree that the apostasy here spoken of is the committing of the unpardonable sin (Matthew 12:31, 32), since this is the only form of apostasy that is hopeless. For more on the unpardonable sin, check the following link, How Does a Person Commit the Unpardonable Sin?
The case here is not that of a man seeking to return to God and finding repentance impossible, but it is that of a man who has no desire to return to the experience from which he has fallen away. The problem here is not with God acceptance of the sinner but rather with the sinners’ refusal to return to God.
Paul teaches that without bearing fruits of repentance, the sinner is warned against adopting a road that will result in his rejection (Hebrews 2:1–3; 10:26–29). If with all the blessings God had given him and with all the light that had illuminated his path, he still refuses to repent, there would be sure separation from God.
God’s acceptance of the repentant sinner is a hope that should be a source of comfort to the discouraged soul, but it is by no means to be used as a reason for negligence. God desires to comfort the fearful, but He would also warn His people of the danger of insisting on sinning and reaching the point of no return. The Lord says, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die” (Ezekiel 33:11).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
