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 Hebrews 6:4 - Turning Away From God

No material thing can withstand the righteous anger of God (as we see in Jeremiah 52 when God has Nebuzaradan destroy Jerusalem’s walls and the Temple - a foreshadowing of what the Roman General Titus, under orders from his Emperor Father Vespasian, would do to the Second Temple in AD 70 - and just as Jesus said it would happen (Matthew 24)).

Well, I’m certainly not perfect.  Don’t claim to be.  I screw up.  I make mistakes.  There's a big difference between mistakes and intentional evil.

        We all sin.  But I’m well aware of my responsibility to be holy because of the mercy and grace God has given me.  In my Christian freedom, I can sin, but I have no obligation to sin.  I would add that I believe I have no “right” to sin.  My obligation is to honor Christ by obeying the Holy Spirit.  I think that is why the Apostles called themselves slaves of God.  They knew that God was their Master and that they were free to follow Him, but not free to go on sinning.

I’m reminded this week how mean and hard-hearted people can be - I’m talking about people in the church.  They claim to be Christian but are not kind, patient, or loving.  They are mean, rude, cocky, and conniving.  It’s shocking.  While claiming to be Christian, they boldly lie and scheme for power.  It’s a damn shame - to borrow a lyric from our friend in Farmville, VA.

I’m confident eternity will be populated by God’s people, those who live wisely, and who transparently lead by example.  They show hard work, and everything they do reflects Christ and the integrity and seriousness of His way (Titus 2:6-10).  God’s people are humble.

        God forbid someone characterizes me as smart - I doubt anyone would ever make that claim.  But I don’t want to be known as smart.  I want to be known as hard-working and obedient to God - I want to be known as an encouraging friend and a loving dad and husband.  

God’s people are known for their love and their kindness.  God’s children are transparent.  Their example is attractive because it is genuine and led by the Holy Spirit.  Heaven will be populated with those people.

Let’s be honest 6:4 is a troubling word of God.  It’s concerning on the one hand yet greatly encouraging on the other.  Don’t poo poo it.  Don’t pretend that the Bible does not say it is impossible to bring people back to repentance if they turn away from God.  When such people reject the Son of God after they have received the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the power of the age to come they reject and disgrace Jesus Christ.  They reject the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says so - and, this verse is consistent with the rest of Scripture (drift away, fall away, reject God, shipwreck faith, etc.).  

Dear God, may we not do that.  May we as believers, those enlightened with Your Truth, never turn away from You.  We confess our sins as You command us to do.

        We repent of all evil behavior and conduct that does not reflect Your Glory.  We place our faith in You alone.  We want to turn more to You and to increase our faith in You.

        We flee to You, Lord Jesus.  For we know that You call us to honor You by how we live - and with how we think and pray.  We know here what You are telling us: some can and will turn away.  And we hear that people can become spiritually dull and indifferent.  We see hard-hearted and mean people in the church and we are burdened by it.  Change them Lord and have mercy on them.

We know that the proof is in the pudding and that You see and know everything.  You see our soil and the fruit we produce, both good crops and thistles.  And we hear clearly what you do with the thistles (6:8).

Help us, Lord Jesus.  May we be fully committed to you today and to the good things, the good crops, that come with salvation.  You are Just.

Help us to work hard on those crops today.  Help us to care and love all people in a way that honors You.

Help us to bring many more people to You by the way we live, help it to be attractive and genuine.  Amen.



Babysitting our grandson, Colt.  He just got his cast off last week.


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