Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
This is a passage of scripture that has baffled many Christians for many years. It would suggest that a certain group of people could get themselves into such a place that they cannot be restored. Let’s break it down…
The people that are not restored in this passage have shared at some point in their lives in five qualities: 1) were once enlightened; 2) have tasted the heavenly gift; 3) have become partakers of the Holy Spirit; 4) have tasted the good word of God; 5) have tasted the powers of the age to come. These individuals have had tremendous experiences in their lives. What has rendered them “unable to be renewed?” The key phrase is in verse 6: “if they fall away.” That phrase in the Greek is the word parapipto and it means to apostatize. To apostatize comes from the noun apostasy and it means a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, etc. People who go so deep into the things of God and turn as far away as they were once deep, find themselves in an irreversible position. Now, I have known people who were once strong people in God who fell away but were not apostate. I have seen such people become restored and used by God in wonderful ways. However, I have never known anyone to become apostate and then be restored. People who go that far usually fall into a dangerous category. It’s as though God has removed His Holy Spirit from them and “given them up” to live without the conviction they once had in their lives. To be clear, God never “gives up” but to “give them up” means to “let go.”
Remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Accept His conviction and live repentantly. If you do sin be quick to confess and forsake it. Apostasy is a severe spiritual condition. I would live in awareness of it but not worry about it. God loves you and will lovingly accept us when we repent of our sins. Thank God for His mercy and His grace!