Many Christians live with the fear that they can be lost again after they’ve been saved, but what does the Bible say about eternal security?
Hebrews 6
[1]Many people base their belief that they can lose their salvation on Hebrews chapter 6:4-6 which says: “For it is impossible, in the case of 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, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”
Notice that they only “tasted the goodness of the word of God” and didn’t partake in it. I once tasted broccoli and hated it. I only tasted it and didn’t really eat it. So tasting and partaking is not the same thing. The author speaks about false converts who heard the Word of God and saw the blessings from God and His Word and maybe even witnessed miracles, but they never fully trusted in Christ. After being exposed to the gospel numerous times, they fall away intentionally. At a certain point, they cannot be restored to Christ. The more someone hears and rejects the gospel, the harder it is to hear to Spirit’s voice. They must believe today, lest they harden their hearts and turn away forever (Psalm 95:7-11; 2 Cor 6:2; Heb 3:15). By rejecting Christ time and time again, they show contempt for the Lord and the blood of Christ.
Enlightened but Unmoved
The term “once enlightened” in Hebrews 6:4 refers to already having a certain level of biblical truth. Once they know enough of the gospel, they are “enlightened” enough to receive Christ or reject Him. The “enlightened” unbelievers who have been exposed to God’s redemptive truth might have even made a profession of faith, but there was never really genuine saving faith that comes with repentance. To have “tasted the heavenly gift” in Hebrews 6:4 means they did not consume it but only “tasted” it. Even the phrase “shared in the Holy Spirit” in Hebrews 6:4 indicated a proximity to and familiarity with the Holy Spirit’s work, but they’ve only been witness to salvation, meaning they have not fully trusted in Christ. I can believe in busses, but if I never get on one, do I really trust it? Even the demons know the gospel and believe it, trembling before God, but surely they are not saved (James 2:19). Intellectual knowledge of the gospel saves no one. Trust in Christ does.
[2]
Fully Persuaded
Hebrews 6:9-12 gives us the final answer as to whether a believer can be lost, once they are saved, but we must read this entire chapter in context to find the answer.
“But, beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints. And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises.”
Demonstrated Faith
Believers will continue to be “serving the saints” and will not walk away from the church. The author is “convinced of better things regarding you” (Heb 6:9) he says, so you can tell he is writing to two different groups or audiences. False-profession-of-faith people and those who “demonstrate the same diligence” and can then “realize the full assurance of hope until the end.” These believers don’t sound like they should be worried, or fear the danger of losing their salvation. In fact, the author is actually trying to bolster the faith of believers if we read the entire chapter in context.
Only a Taste
[3]A good example of having tasted in the Lord’s work but not fully accepting Him is Simon the sorcerer who “believed and was baptized.” He followed Philip the evangelist, and professed belief and even got baptized, however Simon was only “astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw” (Acts 8:13). Simon was still not saved (see Acts 8:20–23), so the idea of “falling away” in Hebrews 6:6 is the act of turning one’s back on the revelation God has given and only having tasted of truth, and tasting of the truth is not enough to keep a person from falling away from the truth. Simon was impressed by the “great signs and wonders” and not broken over his sin. Surely not all who profess Christ actually possess Christ. I remember only 1 in 4 seeds in the Parable of the Sower survived the harsh conditions.
Summary
I pray this helps you have more peace of mind about your own salvation. God will complete what He has started. God has not aborted children! Whatever He began, He will complete, and since we did not initiate our own salvation (Eph 2:8-9), we cannot destroy our own salvation (Rom 8:37-39). Nothing that is created can ever separate the true believer from God, even the believer himself. Can you imagine sharing a gospel that says that whoever believes in Jesus Christ shall never perish (John 3:16)…unless you blow it? That takes the power of the gospel away (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:18). No! It’s eternal life, meaning no one, not even we ourselves, can touch it (John 6:37-44, 10:28-29). If someone proclaims faith in Christ and then walks away, they were never saved in the first place (1 John 2:19) and had never eternal life. If they claim to lose it, they never really had it in the first place. If it wasn’t eternal faith (Eph 2:8-9), then it wasn’t eternal life in the first place. Eternal, by definition, does not end! Even the Prodigal didn’t stay in the pigpen.
[4]
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: What Are the Signs You Have Genuine Saving Faith? [5]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.