Impossible to Repent

I. Hebrews 6:1-8

A. Context: The writer was trying to describe the priesthood of Jesus when he interrupted himself saying that he could not explain the priesthood in more detail because they would not understand it.

B. It was not so complex that they could not understand. They would not be able to understand because they had not grown in the knowledge of God. He tells them to leave the elementary principles and press towards maturity. It is in the context of growing in Christ that the warning is given.

C. “It is impossible for them to repent”

D. This is a frightening concept: one who is alive but cannot repent of their wickedness and turn to God.

E. Description of the apostate.

F. “once enlightened”

G. 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. This person has seen through the darkness of sin by the truth of the gospel and knows the hope and glory of the child of God.

H. “have tasted the heavenly gift”

I. The word “taste” literally means “experience.”

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

K. The peace that we enjoy when our sins are removed. The love of our brethren and our love towards God. 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.1 Timothy 4:8

L. “have become partakers of the Holy Spirit”

M. We do not understand everything about how the Father, Son, and Spirit dwell within us but must leave that to God. Romans 8:9-11 We have become partakers of God in that we have put off wickedness and put on holiness.

N. “tasted the word of God”

O. The word “tasted” is the same as used above.

P. 1 Peter 2:2-3 – We are to desire the pure milk of the word if we have

Q. “tasted” the Lord’s graciousness.

R. We have know from God’s words of love and warning what we needed to do to become children of God and submitted to it.

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

T. 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. This knowledge urges us to be faithful, 2 Peter 3:11.

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

V. The word “impossible” doesn’t always mean “cannot” but is sometimes used to describe something that is not acceptable or likely. It is impossible because there is nothing that we can tell him or use to appeal to him that he doesn’t already know. He has willingly turned his back on all that is good and holy in order to be in this condition.

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

X. We do not physically crucify Jesus, but our rejection of Him is equal to that Jerusalem mob, Hebrews 10:29. We give cause for people to mock Christ for He must not have meant enough to us to keep Him.

II. How can we reach this desperate condition?

A. We can become callused to sin.

B. Israel was often condemned for their hard hearts.

C. Hebrews 3:7-13

D. To become hardened to sin is to become callused.

E. When our skin calluses, it is no longer tender and easily pricked.

F. Guitar player’s fingers become callused by the strings. Hard labor with bare hands can cause them to become callused. When our heart becomes callused, it is no longer easily pricked.

G. 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

H. We can think that judgment is far away.

I. Matthew 24:45-51 – Wicked servant2 Peter 3:1-92 Peter 3:10-13 – We must be ready always How often do we really think that judgment could be imminent?7

J. Listen to false promises and false teaching.

K. 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.

L. We can think that God really won’t condemn us.

M. Hebrews 10:26-392 Thessalonians 1:4-10

III. How can we prevent ourselves from becoming callused?

A. Growing in the knowledge of God and obedience

B. Hebrews 6:7-8 – Being useful and not ensnared with worldly things. Hebrews 6:9-12 – Diligent service, not becoming sluggish.

C. Remaining tenderhearted, not resisting the loving rebuke of our brethren.