Hebrews 6 -- Help In Understanding The Difficult

The writer tells the Hebrew Christians back then, and us, “You have laid the foundation.  You know your ABCs.  Now move forward!  Let God carry you along to maturity,” my commentary said.  Remember this as you read what follows, because what followed in this chapter has caused much misunderstanding, and I too felt it.  Many think it might be saying it’s possible to lose our salvation.  After exploring several lines of reasoning, though, my commentary lands on two that fit the text well – the first is that the writer “was describing a hypothetical case to prove his point that a true believer cannot lose his salvation.”

It also discussed another possible interpretation, based on the fact that “crucify” and “put” in 6:6 are present participles in the Greek.  “He said that they could not be brought to repentance while they were treating Jesus Christ in a shameful way.  Once they stop disgracing Jesus Christ in this way, they can be brought to repentance and renew their fellowship with God.”

Spiritual progress in the Christian’s life results in fruitfulness – “Christian character and conduct produced by the Spirit as we mature in Christ,” according to my commentary.  But this also demands diligent effort on our part.  We can’t be lazy believers, it says.

It ended the chapter by discussing God’s promise of assurance of salvation in many different verses of the Bible, backed up by God’s oath – “Two immutable things.”  And our anchor is Jesus Christ our hope.  “We’re anchored upward – to heaven – not downward.  We are anchored, not to stand still, but to move ahead.  Our anchor is sure – it cannot break – and steadfast – it cannot slip…  If we start to drift from the Word, then we will also start to doubt the Word.  Before long we will get dull toward the Word and become lazy believers.  The best way to keep from drifting is – to lay hold of the anchor.”

Father, thank You for these explanations.  Thank You for anchoring me heavenward.  Pull me along, helping me make spiritual progress.  Don’t let me start to drift and doubt and get dull toward Your Word.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford