QT 6/22/2026 Heb 6:1-6, The world is Satan's place, don't leave God's word to sit in it

Hebrews 6:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 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, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 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.

 

NOTE: This is truly one of the most difficult passages of the New Testament to interpret. Let me first say that interpretation of the bible is not arbitrary nor do we read in what we want it to say. Rather we read out using scientific rules of logic and grammar. The problem is some of the wording seems less than precise. One commentator argues that the vs 4-6 clearly refer to a believer, another argues that they could refer to someone associated with the church but not a believer. Another view holds that verses 1-3 emphasize the need for spiritual maturity, the promised earthly rest of a believer, and that verses 4-6 argue that some Christians who apostate themselves will never reach spiritual maturity, much like those in the desert who rebelled against God and were never allowed to enter the promise land.

 

I do know Christians who have essentially left the faith; unfortunately more than I would like to know. They have replaced solid biblical teaching with the views of the world. They now sit physically in the camp of Satan. Psalm 1:1 describes those who start walking with sinners, then standing with them in the road, and finally sitting with them and scoffing at those who hold to the truths of the bible. They have committed apostasy. Can they return? The plain reading of these verses says no. Have they lost their salvation? The plain reading of the bible says that you cannot lose your salvation. But they have lost a lot. They live in a sort of hell that will never satisfy until they repent, and can never be completely restored in this life. They will never experience the promised rest until death takes them home. They won't receive a crown or rewards for their witness or service, but they are still saved.

 

PONDER:

1. Where am I -- standing on the truth of scripture or seated with the scoffers who view biblical truth with disgust?

 

PRAYER: Father, it seems as if a wave of demonic possession has overtaken many. The anger, the bitterness, the evil that many in my country possess is frightening. God wake us up! Help us to see it! I cannot even say this it hurts so much, but when two homosexual men adopt and then abuse a baby boy to death, we are so guilty of sin. My nation is sick. We are sick. I don't even want to pray for mercy. Come Lord Jesus, come.