Does Hebrews 6:4-6 text mean Christians can lose our salvation?"

In light of the many scriptures that make it abundantly clear that salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:35, 38-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:4-5), Hebrews 6:4-6 also confirms that doctrine.

The first method I use to aid in understanding any book of the Bible is determining both the writer's intended audience and the purpose of the author's message.  ask, "To whom was the book written?" and, "For what purpose was the book written?". 

Concerning the book of Hebrews, most Bible commentaries agree with the following:

• The book of Hebrews was written by an Apostle and mainly written to Hebrew believers. 
• The audience, Jewish Christians, needed to read this message to understand how the Lord Jesus Christ, in comparison to Judaism, was much better than anything the old covenant had to offer. 
•  These believers were under persecution, and as a result, some were thinking about returning to Judaism. The message was written to warn them not to turn away from their only hope (assurance) of salvation.

Chapter 6 begins with the word, "Therefore" in the King James Version. Most of the time, this word indicates that the modern-day reader needs to search further, usually in the prior chapter(s), to determine the context in which the text exists and to better provide a framework within which the reader can use the text in the sense of Christian application. In Chapter 5, the writer speaks about the office and duty of the high priest and how that job is abundantly filled in Christ (Hebrews 9:11-14 and others). This text was written to the Jewish Christians of that day because they wanted to return to the familiar activities of The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) provided by the old covenant - the learning framework within which their entire life existed prior to conversion.

Chapter 6 urges these new converts to make forward progress - to grow in their faith. They had already learned of the first lessons of the Christian Message. With that foundation established, they were not to simply remain in that knowledge and work solely on what has already been completed in their lives; they were to instead move forward just as a young baby progresses from drinking only milk to eating more complex foods as supported in context by Chapter 5, in verses 11-14. The writer rebukes these new Christians regarding the minimal progress they have made in the knowledge and application of the gospel.

In verse 6 (of Chapter 6) we are introduced to a hypothetical statement, "IF they shall ..." (or in the NASB in verse 4, "For in the case of ... "). This text introduces the reader to the idea that this type of argument, that a true Christian can fall away, is a false premise. John 10:28 specifically states, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." No one, including myself, can snatch me out of the had of God. The conclusion of this idea, that Jesus would somehow need to be sacrificed again and again, is senseless. Simply put, it's crazy talk. We know this isn't true as we can read in Hebrews 9:28. The text points out the impossibility of this happening. When looking up Strong's word number 102, we get the idea of "things that are impossible". The author writes in such a way that demonstrates a false statement by showing an unattainable result follows if one accepts the argument. The writer even goes on to say in verse 9 that even though they speak in such a way (".. though we thus speak."), they are, "... persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation."

We may not speak today in the vernacular of the following commentary, but I feel that it offers the Christian an understanding response to the question of losing one's salvation:

The humbled sinner who pleads guilty, and cries for mercy, can have no ground from this passage to be discouraged, whatever his conscience may accuse him of. Nor does it prove that any one who is made a new creature in Christ, ever becomes a final apostate from him. The apostle is not speaking of the falling away of mere professors, never convinced or influenced by the gospel. Such have nothing to fall away from, but an empty name, or hypocritical profession. Neither is he speaking of partial declinings or backslidings. Nor are such sins meant, as Christians fall into through the strength of temptations, or the power of some worldly or fleshly lust. But the falling away here mentioned, is an open and avowed renouncing of Christ, from enmity of heart against him, his cause, and people, by men approving in their minds the deeds of his murderers, and all this after they have received the knowledge of the truth, and tasted some of its comforts. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary for Hebrews 6:1-8)

While many interpretations can be found on these verses, I believe the Bible only supports two regarding salvation: (1) unbelievers rejecting Christ have no salvation, and (2) that it isn't possible for a believer to lose his/her salvation. After all, Ephesians 2:8, emphasizes that "...by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Salvation isn't ours anyway; it's God's gift to us through the selfless crucifixion death of His son Jesus Christ.

A few final and critical points from verses 4-6:

1. This is about hypothetical "enlightened" people - so this is not about any Christian ever.
2. If it even were possible, this person's position would be absurd (being enlightened) after denying the truth of the crucifixion. (continued unbelief)
3. This enlightened one never truly accepted the work of the cross after hearing and then falling away.
4. To sin = to fall way.  In order to maintain a relationship (think about David when he said the "joy of thy salvation" Psalms 51:12), with God = to repent from sin.  Repenting is only possible if a person recognizes (believes) the truth of the crucifixion.
5. The point of these verses is NOT about a Christian losing his/her salvation. Instead, the focus of the verses is to highlight the impossibility of a person denying the truth of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection (substitutionary atonement) and still, somehow, coming to repentance in spite of that very denial. Re = to do again. In order to repent, you must have already asked for forgiveness at least once. 

• While I didn't reference the following book for this blog post, I do recommend, "Eternal Security", By: Charles F. Stanley.
• Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Strong's Bible Concordance, NASB Lexican via Bible Hub

How about we just love ...

Has the church failed in teaching people about hating sin and loving the sinner? Does it just end up being, hate the sinner, once out the front door? "Hate the sin, love the sinner." If you have been in church for any amount of time or lived in the Bible belt as I have, you no doubt have heard that saying. I don't think it makes sense. I mean, if we say that to a sinner, couldn't the sinner say in return, "I love Christians but hate Christianity?"

First we should cover the fact that this saying, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." isn't found in the Bible. The nearest idea could be found in Jude 1:22-23. According to these verses we are to live in such a way that mercy be our character towards the sinner, then a healthy hatred of the results of sin. The following is from the Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament on these verses.

We can be kept in the perpetual consciousness of God’s love only as we depend upon the mercy of the Lord Jesus—that is—His mercy, not our merit being our constant plea. He has merited for us what we could never, otherwise, lay claim to. The only way to stand before Him flawless is to rest in His merits and walk in His love. (Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament)

So, as Mark Lowry said in his quote, "hate your own sin!" Resting in Jesus' merits and walking in his love will be the only way I will ever stand before him flawless. Yes, Mr. Lowry, hating my sin is indeed a full-time job.

I know for myself, that when I finally decide that Jesus is more important than my sin, then only can I start to see the "new man" (Ephesians 4:22-24).  From the most devout believer to the most virulent atheist, we all have the same need - Christ. While we may all take different roads in life, we all still end up at the same place at some point. Needing Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:2 "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." "Christ and Him crucified," is the substance of the Gospel. For me to display that banner of the cross and to invite people to rest in the shadow of the cross should be my message. For if Jesus is lifted up, he will draw all people to Him (John 12:22).   I want people to see Christ as their main identity and when they acknowledge him as such, then there is room in their heart for a discussion of holy living.

Pray (1 Timothy 2:1) for people, respect (1 Peter 2:17) people, and love them for God is love (1 John 4:8-9) and he has gifted us with grace. James 1:15 tells us that sin leads to death. It is not hateful to want to help someone become free from sin - in fact, speaking the truth to them IS loving them (Ephesians 4:15). Don't buy into the lie of today's culture by thinking it is wrong, hateful, or bigoted if we don't condone a life style, ignore, or excuse it. Don't be afraid to stand under The banner, for the Lord is my Jehova-nissi, banner. (Exodus 17:15)

The Key

It has always amazed me when I hear a comment that starts like the following, "Well, prayer is the least...."  No, it is not the least but the greatest!  Consider this quote.

"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."  -Oswald Chambers

Follow this link to read more about this as only Oswald Chambers could literate.

Plug into the 220 power of the Bible

Wrong way 'round

"Hey! It's the wrong way 'round."

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.  Genesis 4:7 (KJV)

source

Have you ever been assembling something from the store? You know, anything that has the words "assembly required" somewhere on the box? Working through the some times linguistically challenged instructions you discover you have one part on backwards. The frustration of that moment, the lost hope of the end result, just seems to melt away at that moment when you turn the part the right way around. All just fits, works, and you stand back and admire the thing that, more-or-less, resembles the picture on the box. Even with a few parts left over, the frustration of the past moment is gone and soon forgotten.

In Genesis chapter four, God warns Cain about the destructive power of sin. How sin lies at the door waiting to devour. But then God says something else, something that hit me like a unsuspecting "This is your Life" contestant of the late 40's to early 50's. (The show also had a small revival during the early 70's as well.) God said that the desire of sin is a thing that shouldn't rule us, but us rule over it. Wait! What? All this time we have had the idea of reacting to sin as a helpless Christian that leaves us wondering what part of the "Whole Armor" we forgot to dress in today?

"Shall you not, if you do well, be accepted? And if not you do well, at the door sin lies. But, unto its [sin] desire you must rule over." (humbly adapted from the Hebrew text analysis page at the Bible Hub web-site.)

So, we should think about the desire of sin as something we rule over, not the other way around. And the "Whole Armor" is the 'how to' assistance from a loving God and His Word. Very awesome.

Lord, I pray that I use your strength and power to do this task and that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In Jesus' name, Amen.