Reading for Thursday, July 26: Hebrews 6

We’re reminded again of a sober truth: some will reject “maturity” (v1) by turning away from the faith. And this is most tragic. Hear what the Hebrew writer says in v4-6: “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

I have several friends who have turned away from the faith over the past few years. I’d like to read these verses in Hebrews as general statements, holding out hope that someday they’ll return as the result of some Prodigal Son moment. But part of our movement toward “maturity” is the recognition that these kinds of redemption stories are unfortunately rare.

The Hebrew writer moves toward encouragement once more here: “Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things – things that belong to salvation,” (v9). Blessings are in store for those who embrace God’s promises. God has no greater name to swear by; His promises bear the seal of His character. “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath…We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul,” (v17, 19).