Cannot Repent

I. Text: Hebrews 6:1-8

II. Exegesis

III. Background context

A. The Hebrew writer rebuked his readers for not growing in their knowledge of God’s will. He told them to leave the elementary principles of spiritual knowledge and press towards Christian maturity. It is in the context of growing in Christ that the warning of Hebrews 6 is given.

B. “It is impossible for them to repent”

C. This is a frightening concept: one who is alive and can make choices but cannot repent of their wickedness and turn to God. Who is the person who cannot repent?

D. Description of the one who cannot repent

E. “once enlightened”

F. This has the idea of spiritual illumination. Same word is used in John 1:9 of Jesus who came to the world to give light to man. Ephesians 1:17-18 – The eyes of our understanding being enlightened that we may know our hope and our inheritance.2 Peter 1:19 – The light of the word shines in our hearts2 Corinthians 4:5-6 – God’s word shines in the sinner’s heart God’s word illuminates the dark heart

G. This is a person who has spiritual understanding based on God’s word

H. He is not an ignorant unbeliever He understood God’s will

I. “have tasted the heavenly gift”

J. “those who have experienced the good things of heaven” – New Living Trans.“Taste - to become acquainted with by experience” Merriam-Webster Dictionary

K. We have a taste of the heavenly gift, our salvation, while on earth.

L. The peace that we enjoy when we know God has forgiven us of our sins (Ephesians 2:4-9) The changed life that we experience through God’s word

M. Spiritual blessings

N. Ephesians 1:3 James 1:17 When we read about the love of the brethren in the New Testament towards one another (sharing, selling possessions to take care of needs, daily exhortation) and the selfless, joyful, and heartfelt worship to God we have a taste of that heavenly gift. We may have been to a singing, worship service, or time with our brethren where we have had a taste of what was to come. Hope of heaven, 2 Timothy 4:8

O. “have become partakers of the Holy Spirit”

P. We do not understand everything about how the Father, Son, and Spirit dwell within us but realize that they have a part in our lives, Romans 8:9-11. We have become partakers of God in that we have put off wickedness and put on holiness, Galatians 5:22-25 The person has experienced spiritual growth and change through the word and has become more like God.

Q. “tasted the word of God”

R. As above, he has experienced God’s word1 Peter 2:1-3 – Desire the word when you have tasted its graciousness

S. He learned that it was truly spiritual nourishment

T. John 6:35, 51 – Jesus is the bread of life John 7:38-39 - Jesus is the source of living water This person has come to know Jesus through the word and has come to know the source of all life and blessings He knew from God’s words of love and warning what he needed to do to become a child of God and submitted to it.

U. “[tasted] the powers of the age to come”

V. A knowledge of the power of God and of His ultimate triumph over Satan and the world of sin and the destruction of the world. He has experienced the power of change in his own life Since he lived in the first century, he may have even experienced the power of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit that the Christians had at that time The knowledge of God’s power urges us to be faithful, 2 Peter 3:11.

W. When this person falls away it is impossible to renew him to repentance

X. It is not impossible for God to forgive, Romans 5:20-21

Y. It is impossible for the person cannot be persuaded to return to God.

Z. We cannot tell him anything about the wonderful grace, mercy, and love of God, the delights of heaven, or the pain of hell that he does not already know. His heart has grown hard and his ears dull to that which he used to enjoy. He has willingly turned his back on all that is good and holy.

A. He has crucified the Son of God again and put Him to open shame.

B. Jesus was crucified in order to save us and cleanse our sins

C. When we obey Jesus, we crucify ourselves to the world

D. Galatians 5:24 Galatians 6:14 Galatians 2:20 Romans 6:6 There is an exchange in which we crucify ourselves, and Christ lives in us. This person of Hebrews 6 has crucified Jesus afresh and resurrected the old man of sin in his own life,

E. We do not physically crucify Jesus, but our rejection of Him is equal to that Jerusalem mob, Hebrews 10:26-39

F. If a person rebels against God after becoming a Christian

G. After being illuminated by the word of God (v. 26, 34—6:4-5) After partaking of the Holy Spirit then insulted Him (v.29—6:4)

H. Knew the blessings of the heavenly gift amidst persecution

I. (vvs. 33-34—:4-5)

J. Then he

K. Crucifies Jesus afresh (6:6) Treats the blood of Jesus as a common thing Tramples Jesus underfoot No longer has the benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice for sins, v.26 Will be condemned in judgment

IV. If it is impossible to return

A. We must not draw back to destruction, Hebrews 10:36,39

B. We must not become calloused to the appeal of God’s word and the pain of a sensitive conscience

C. Hebrews 3:12-13 When our heart becomes callused, it is no longer easily pricked. When we continue to sin we can eventually numb our conscience and make it less resistant to the pricking message of the truth. It becomes easier to add other sins when we become hardened

D. We must not delay in obedience

E. 2 Peter 3:9-11 Do we hasten the Day of Judgment?

F. We must guard our souls

G. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 – Conscience seared with a hot iron.2 Peter 2:18-22 – Better not to have known than to fall away.

H. Grow spiritually

I. Hebrews 6:9-12 – Diligent service, not becoming sluggish2 Peter 1:5-11 – If you do these things, you will never stumble

V. They Cannot Repent