Click here to go to Hebrews 6
Some extremely strong words that we should never forget:
4 For
it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once
enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and
shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and
who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back
to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing
him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
I picked the same ones:
ReplyDelete"4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame."
I'm just being honest here...I'm not sure I believe this. I have seen examples of people that have fallen away from Jesus and have returned and repented again, realizing they had erred.
I agree! I struggled with that as well. I've seen both though, thankfully it's God who judges our hearts.
DeleteHebrews 6
ReplyDelete4-8 Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. They experienced the goodness of God’s word and the powers of the world to come. Yet, they have deserted Christ. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God. God blesses the earth. So rain often falls on it, and it produces useful crops for farmers. However, if the earth produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
I like the end of these verses. God's blessings ~ His REIGN producing useful rather than briars of worthlessness. He died once and for all; no further sacrifice can be given. He has done it! No other sacrifice for sin. He has paid it all.
Revelation 3. The Message to the Church in Sardis, vv. 1-6; in Philadelphia, vv.7-13; in Laodicea, vv. 14-22.
Rev. 3:15-16 is the message I heard when I came to Christ. Later when I told the Pastor, he said that it was directed at Christians. My response, "But I thought I was. It applied to me."
15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
I was a fence-straddler. Neither too bad nor too good.
I heard this Message. God revealed to me what I was. The Holy Spirit brought it to my heart and I went forward and was saved. I went along fine for awhile. I was looking at the "could-nots," and said, "I can't do this." I went back to my old life of self-reliance. I was so incredibly worse off!
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Thankfully, I came to my senses and the Lord received this Prodigal back. On October 28, 2012, I will be following the Lord for 39 years, beginning my 40th year with Him. I am so thankful He knew me before the foundations of the earth. He knew all about me and my life and has come alongside to walk it with me. How grateful I am to serve Him! He loves me with an everlasting love. I am His.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Praise the Lord indeed!!! Happy almost "birthday"!
Delete