Hebrews 6:4 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, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
This passage of scripture is one of the most sobering truths brought to light in the book of Hebrews, and is one that needs to be carefully observed by all who have been made partakers of God's grace and mercy. The apostle Paul usually dwells a whole lot upon the grace and pardoning mercies of God towards the sinner, and in most of his writings, the kindness of God towards us in Christ Jesus is made manifest. However, the book of Hebrews takes on a very solemn and serious tone, for it repeatedly states in several passages, that there is a limit to the forbearance of God, and cautions the sinner not to take His mercies for granted, as if His grace towards us is limitless.
There is an invisible red line in the sand, by which we may forever close off all communication with God, and any previous relationship we may have had with Him, can also be permanently reversed, if this line is crossed. The idea that we can accept God's gracious overtures to save our souls, on our own time schedule, is one of the most dangerous and fatal doctrines we can ever subscribe to, for the Bible clearly states that if we continue in deliberate sin, after having being saved, there remains nothing that God can do to save us. Let's read:
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
This is exactly what took place with Judas, when on several occasions Jesus sought to bring him to repentance, by revealing to him the flaws in his character, in the most unobtrusive ways. But at every instance, Christ was met with rebuttals and excuses, and in some other cases with outright animosity and vengeful feelings, for he hated the fact that his sins were being pointed out to him, even though Jesus did so in a manner not to cause him any public embarrassment. But the waves of grace and mercy, being constantly beaten back, ceased to flow anymore, on the occasion of the last supper, where Christ, after washing his feet, made His last and final appeal to Judas, who once again determined to persist in rebellion. Let's read:
John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
When the court gave its final ruling on marriage just recently, and by so doing shook the very foundations of all society, the same experience of Judas was repeated several times over in the lives of thousands of people, who like Judas persisted in rebellion against the truth, and made a deliberate and permanent choice to cast off the restraints of God's law. And the very same occurrence which took place right after Judas sealed his own fate, was also repeated in the lives of many, for satan entered into very many hearts, and took full possession thereof, even though many of the victims knew it not.
It must be observed here that when that fatal red line was crossed by Judas, and satan thus "Entered" into him, there was no loud shrieking, or frothing at the mouth, nor was there any incoherent speeches to suggest that anything abnormal had taken place. Similarly, when satan entered into the hearts of thousands on that fatal day of June 26, 2015, those who were thus fully possessed seemed to be quite normal, and for all intents and purposes, life goes on for them in its unvarying round.
The take away for us is that there is a limit to God's forbearance, and if we willfully continue to sin, after having the clearest evidences from God to the contrary, there comes a time when His mercies are forever withdrawn, and there remains no more sacrifice for sin. To this time we are now hastening, and thus it behooves every thinking person, to consider carefully and soberly what Paul is saying to us in the words of warning given in our first passage, and it is the will of God that we do not push the envelope of His grace, but rather, with a grateful heart and a humble, contrite spirit, receive His forgiveness and cleansing while mercy still lingers.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls our attention to these sacred truths, and it is the will of God that we now make choices and decisions that are commensurate with the grace and mercy accorded us all these years. Let's read:
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches".... 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!