Letter to the Hebrews Volume 48

 The Danger of Not Advancing in the Faith Part 3

Hebrews 6:3-4 And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, KJV

The reality of leaving the elementary principles of our faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and growing up into spiritual maturity doesn't just depend on each of us, but it depends on us cooperating with the Holy Spirit of God (not continually grieving Him) and the Grace of God that comes to us through Him as the writer of Hebrews declares in the next verse with these words, "And this will we do, if God permit." (Hebrews 6:3) (KJV). It is only because God the Father permits or allows the willing son or daughter to grow up into spiritual maturity that actual spiritual maturity (for any believer) happens or takes place. We see then this explanation further discussed by the author of Hebrews in the next few verses, for in them we will find that some believers never grow up out of spiritual immaturity, but instead remain 'babes in Christ' their entire sojourn or pilgrimage on the earth. Why is this true? The writer of Hebrews begins his answer to verse 3 with the next words here in verse 4, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost," (Hebrews 6:4) (KJV). The English word 'For' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word gar which is a primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles). In other words, the reason for the argument, analysis, or analytic reasoning given in the next couple of verses is in response to what the writer has previously written above, which is, If God permits spiritual growth or spiritual maturity. God the Father permits growth for those sons and daughters who want and desire growth and He allows those who persist in rebellion, sin, and disobedience to remain babes spiritually. The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian Church with this same or similar point made as to the rewards of the believers, "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:13-17) (KJV).

The question then is what is impossible for God? The obvious answer of course is nothing, therefore, the impossibility doesn't dwell  with God but with the rebellious son or daughter of God and that is because The Holy Spirit is not a force or a wind that is inanimate, that is, non-living, but instead He is a Person and the third (3) Person of the GodHead and He can also be grieved by us as it is written here, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) (KJV). What happens when we grieve God the Holy Spirit? He does not leave us, but instead He stops working through us and His Power that can and could flow through us does not any longer until we genuinely turn from our sin and rebellion, that is, repent and walk or live in newness of life, as it is written by the Apostle Paul with these words, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:3-7) (KJV). In other words, when we live our lives as being dead to sin, then God the Holy Spirit can teach us His Word and we can grow spiritually, however, when we allow our 'old man' or 'old woman' to rein and rule, then we cannot hear what God the Holy Spirit wants to teach us and we remain stagnant, that is, not growing or changing; without force or vitality or power. Here is what Vincent's Word Pictures had to say of Hebrews 6:3, "An ominous hint is conveyed that the spiritual dullness of the readers may prevent the writer from developing his theme and them from receiving his higher instruction. The issue is dependent on the power which God may impart to His teaching, but His efforts may be thwarted by the impossibility of repentance on their part. No such impossibility is imposed by God, but it may reside in a moral condition which precludes the efficient action of the agencies which work for repentance, so that God cannot permit the desired consequence to follow the Word of Teaching."

Here is what Vincent's Word Pictures had to say of Hebrews 6:4, "It is impossible to dilute this word into difficult. Those who were once enlightened Rendered 'once for all enlightened' is frequent in the Epistle. Indicating that the enlightenment ought to have sufficed to prevent them from falling away; not that it does not admit of repetition. Enlightened, through the revelation of God in Christ, the true light, and through the power of the Spirit. Usually to teach or instruct; see Psalm 119:130; 2 Kings 12:2; 2 Kings 17:27. Compare in the New Testament  John 1:9; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 10:32. Erasmus gives the correct explanation: 'Who once for all have left the darkness of their former life, having been enlightened by the Gospel teaching.' There is no ground for explaining the word here of baptism, although the fathers from the time of Justin Martyr used phōtizō in that sense, and this usage continued down to the Reformation. Tasted of the heavenly gift: The meaning is, have consciously partaken of. Compare 1 Peter 2:3, and eateth, John 6:56. The heavenly gift is the Holy Spirit. It is true that this is distinctly specified in the next clause, but the two clauses belong together. Partakers of the Holy Ghost: 'Heavenly gift' emphasizes the heavenly quality of the gift. The Holy Ghost is the gift itself which possesses the heavenly quality." Note: "The author of Hebrews from Hebrews 5:11-6:12 is giving a warning to the then Hebrew converts and to we converts today and of every era and generation to not live in open rebellion to God the Father so that spiritual growth can take place in every believers life, because it is only the believers disobedience that causes non-growth. This part of Hebrews is not teaching that any true born again believer in our Lord Jesus Christ can lose their salvation, for no earthly baby born into any family can ever be separated from that family blood line, likewise, no true son or daughter of God the Father (by spiritual birth) can ever be separated from His spiritual blood line. Remember above what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 4:30, the word of emphasis in that verse is 'sealed', that is, established irrevocably, secured and determined."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…