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Day 157 Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 This we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 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. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 We desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 So, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all disputes. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. How many times do you go over the same thing, expecting different results, but nothing ever comes of it? You keep making your rut deeper. Einstein once said it was the recipe for insanity. Instead, do something different. You already know the basic elements of life. Most are second nature. It’s time to set those things aside and focus on something new. The author told the Hebrews he wasn’t going to go over what they already knew. Doing so was the same as continuing to give a baby milk when he was ready for solid food. He told them he would revisit those areas if time permitted. He didn’t tell them they were unimportant. The author stepped into a topic often overlooked by many Christians today but was not unfamiliar to the Hebrews to whom he wrote. He reminded them that it was impossible for anyone who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord to forsake their testimony of Jesus Christ as their Savior. He told them that if anyone did so, it would be the same as putting Jesus to death on the cross a second time. Something that was impossible to do. In doing so, they denied the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives for salvation. Anyone who did lost their salvation because they could not renew their repentance. It put the cross to open shame and made the crucifixion ineffective. The Hebrews knew what the author told them. They knew what Jesus said about denying the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Luke 12:8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” (NKJV) The earth receives blessings from God when it brings forth fruit and herbs. When it produces briars, God rejects the briars and burns them. So too, when people who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, reject Him, they reject the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They lose their salvation. The author went on to assure the Hebrews he knew their salvation was secure in their faith and salvation because their works accompanied their faith. He told them God would not forget their labor of love any more than He would forget the blessings and promises He gave to Abraham. Many churches overlook this passage in Hebrews. They teach a once saved always saved salvation message to their congregations, giving them a false hope of eternal life that allows them to do whatever they want because they confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord. People have gone so far as to believe that baptism alone saves them. What did Jesus say about salvation? John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, we speak what we know and testify what we have seen, and you do not receive our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” As Christians, you need to study the full Word of God, know what it says, and live according to the truth of God’s Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJV) When you do, you can discern when someone teaches you an incorrect Word. Paul said those who presented a false gospel were cursed. Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (NKJV) Salvation lost. No more blessings from God because those who preach a gospel not according to Scripture, lose their salvation. The author of Hebrews knew the testimony of faith of the people to whom he wrote. He knew they followed the gospel the apostles taught them. If they could follow the teachings of the apostles to the letter and not lose their salvation, why do many churches go their own way and teach what isn’t in God’s Word? Study God’s Word. Jesus said the truth would set you free. John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Don’t let false teaching strip you of your salvation. Read, study, pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in truth. Then you will never be in danger of losing your salvation. Let’s pray: Father, let Your Holy Spirit continue to teach me as I read and study Your Word. Let Your truth be my light and my salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 20 December 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.