Chapter 6

I thought it worth recording (because otherwise, reading this page in a year or so, we might forget) that today was predicted by some to be the Rapture.

Well, it wasn’t. And once again, we learn the hard lesson – No-one knows the date when Christ will return – and if someone thinks they DO know, guess what day it WON’T be!

ANYWAY, now that I have got that off my chest, time to get back to Hebrews.

Chapter 6 is a difficult chapter to write on, because we have two distinct topics covered, the first of which is a continuation of the last couple of verses of the previous chapter (insert my standard rant about the selection of chapter breaks). Verses 1 – 12 deal with the idea of “re-crucifying Christ”.

This is a fairly strange expression, but when you read it, it’s actually saying something interesting and worrying – it gives the idea that if someone has experienced Christ and turned their back on Him, that they cannot ever again be saved.

Needless to say this bothers a lot of Christians (including myself), but just on reading this today I think it doesn’t deserve as much stress as we give it.

It’s not saying that if you have a brief moment of doubt in your faith, that’s it, bye bye! Nor is it saying that even a person who has spent a couple of years in the wilderness is headed for hell. No, what it’s saying is that if you have made a lifestyle of turning away from God – that is, if it’s something that characterizes you for the last part of your life – THEN you may have cause for worry.

The second bit is about God and His promises. It comments about whereas we need some authority to back up our promises (e.g. swearing on the Bible, signing a legal contract), God IS His own authority, so He doesn’t need so say “I swear on myself”! He is already there. He already will keep His promises!

Getting back to the first of the two concepts, I wanted to raise that one with you, gentle reader. All my life, a battle has raged about what the status of someone in Christ who turns away.

I didn’t realize until tonight that this passage was there. It seems to imply that someone CAN lose their salvation.

Is it the case? My tip would be “It depends”.

It depends on whether Mick is talking about the final result of a life In which Christ has been forgotten, or whether it is something that happens instantly. My money would be on the former scenario, simply because to go for the second option includes the quite horroible idea that Jesus’ death isn’t REALLY enough for dealing with sin – that the Devil can override in some circumstances. Personally I believe God is powerful enough that there is no way the enemy can change what He has decided.