Hebrews 6:4-6

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It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
 Michael Middendorf, in his book "Called by the Gospel: An Introduction to the New Testament," calls this passage the most controversial section in Hebrews because of what the verses seem to say. And they seem to say that once you are saved; that once you see the light of God beckoning; that once you are empowered by the Holy Spirit, if you reject God it will be impossible to regain your salvation. But nothing could be further from the truth.

First, let's start with John 18. Three times, Simon Peter, the rock on whom God would build the church, denied Christ. Three times, bystanders shined the spotlight on Simon Peter, calling him out: Are you not one of his disciples? Didn't I see you with him in the Olive Grove? And three times, Peter denied he had ever even heard of Jesus, let alone had walked with him. I don't know that guy. It wasn't me, Peter cried. I don't know him. I don't know what you are talking about ... three times.

Peter, one of the original enlightened ones, the one whom Jesus loved, one who gave us at least two books of the Bible, one who helped spread the Gospel, clearly believed not only in the work of Jesus but that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Christ, the redeemer, the King of Creation (Luke 9:20), and yet he clearly rejected knowing him ... three times ... when someone put him on the spot. Yet, Peter was not condemned. Because nothing is impossible with God (Luke 18:27), we are reminded, again in this story.

"Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?" Jesus asked Peter ... three times. Yes, Lord, you know I love you, Peter replied ... three times. Then, follow me, Jesus commanded. And Peter did. (John 21:15-20). He did and the world came to know Jesus because of it.


We all stumble in many ways, James 3:2 reminds us. No one is righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us (1 John 1:9).

So we have this story about Peter. But it's not the only time people who turn from God are later saved. Remember the Jews in the desert? They turned away from God. They worshipped idols after God specifically told them not to. And they wandered in the desert for 40 years. Yet still, God who is faithful stayed true to his word that the savior would come from them, that he would redeem all who believe he is who he says he is (John 10:38).

Middendorf argues that the Greek word for "impossible" more accurately means a person is unable or powerless, which makes far more sense. God is the one who saves to begin with (John 6:65). There is nothing we can do (Eph. 2:8, Romans 9:16). Our definition of falling away isn't God's definition.

God saves those who believe. Just believe.

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