This particular passage of Scripture is why I almost didn’t choose to study Hebrews with you. SO many Christian theologians disagree as to whether this passage teaches us that we can lose our salvation or not. If it confuses you, I suggest you go to your pastor and hear his views. My views are taken from my Charles Swindoll’s Study Bible and Swindoll’s take resonates the most with my heart and with how I read the Word of God. So, I’ll share from his perspective, today.
We are talking to believers who kinda stopped growing in this passage. They received Christ as Savior, but have not matured. This is a dangerous place to be. God expects us to bear fruit as Christians. To move beyond the basic understanding of His grace, and toward using our gifts, given by His Spirit, for His kingdom. This is our job and our JOY as His followers. It’s so sad when someone genuinely receives Christ and yet refuses to yield to the Spirit within and then grow, shedding jealousy, unforgiveness, anger, pride, and bitterness along the way and choosing to live a sacrificial life, yoked to the Lord Jesus. God never makes us grow. We choose this. It’s possible to be saved, but hopelessly ineffective because we cling to old ways and don’t yield to the Spirit.
These people who don’t mature are still saved. God doesn’t go back on His word and promise, even if we do. Here are a couple of passages that assure us that if we genuinely repent and ask Him to save us … He will. And it’s permanent. John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me”. 2 Timothy 2:13 assures us that “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is”. If God says it, it’s settled. Done.
However, we may be in the awful state of producing nothing but “thistles and thorns” (vs 8) if we don’t yield our hearts to the Spirit within. If we let bitterness consume us, we will be fruitless. How awful! And, at some point, we’ll be hardened to the Spirit and there won’t be a turning back before our deaths. Paul talks about this type of person in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”
Dr. Swindoll calls this kind of Christian a carnal Christian. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to build on wood, hay and straw. I want to build on Christ as my foundation and then lay down jewels of obedience, submission, and fruitful living for my Lord. May God help us move beyond “being saved” to being servants and beloved daughters of God Most High! Let’s move on to maturity.
My verse: Hebrews 6:12, “Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”
My response: Father! Please keep me attuned to Your Spirit, yielded to Your guidance. I don’t want to be a useless branch, bearing no fruit, dull and indifferent. Help me to care what YOU desire all the days of my life, bearing fruit even in old age.
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Hebrews 6:7 “Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.”
Lord, may I be land that drinks in the rain. May I produce a crop useful to you that will build up your body. I have received so many blessings from you Lord I cannot count them all. I desire to be good fruitful land for you Lord.
Such a beautiful verse. Yes, let’s drink! I love how Jesus calls Himself “living water” – He is who we need.