Many people have stumbled when they come to Hebrews 6, and many have gotten off on different paths because of it. There is a huge misconception about verse 6 in specific, and I’ll explain that misconception first, before I explain the answer.
The incorrect view of this verse is that in verse 4-5, there is an obvious description of a Christian. Someone who knows God (and yes it does mean that). But then in verse 6, people think that the verse is saying if someone who is saved, falls away from God, they have lost their salvation and they are never able to repent again to get salvation back, because God has hardened their hearts forever.
This view is entirely wrong, and once you understand the context of chapter 6, you will see why.
Verse 1 says to “leave” the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and go unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God.
So right off the bat, Hebrews 6 is contextually talking about spiritual maturity. So what does that mean? Now look at verses 4-6.
It says it is impossible for a Christian that has fallen away, to be renewed again (have sins forgiven) BY repenting. This verse is showing that a Christian does not repent to have sins forgiven. That was done once when you put your faith in Christ. We need to move on now, unto maturity. A Christian “can’t” repent to have sins forgiven twice. It’s impossible. You would be saying Jesus needs to die for all of your sins again, which doesn’t make any logical sense. A Christian does not repent for the forgiveness of sins, but to come back into fellowship with God. God cares most about sanctification, to make you look more like Christ. Being in sin not only brings you out of fellowship with God, but also inhibits the process of sanctification. The less you are sanctified in this world, the less reward you’ll have in heaven. It is not saying you can lose your salvation.
So move on to maturity in Christ!
The incorrect view of this verse is that in verse 4-5, there is an obvious description of a Christian. Someone who knows God (and yes it does mean that). But then in verse 6, people think that the verse is saying if someone who is saved, falls away from God, they have lost their salvation and they are never able to repent again to get salvation back, because God has hardened their hearts forever.
This view is entirely wrong, and once you understand the context of chapter 6, you will see why.
Verse 1 says to “leave” the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and go unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God.
So right off the bat, Hebrews 6 is contextually talking about spiritual maturity. So what does that mean? Now look at verses 4-6.
It says it is impossible for a Christian that has fallen away, to be renewed again (have sins forgiven) BY repenting. This verse is showing that a Christian does not repent to have sins forgiven. That was done once when you put your faith in Christ. We need to move on now, unto maturity. A Christian “can’t” repent to have sins forgiven twice. It’s impossible. You would be saying Jesus needs to die for all of your sins again, which doesn’t make any logical sense. A Christian does not repent for the forgiveness of sins, but to come back into fellowship with God. God cares most about sanctification, to make you look more like Christ. Being in sin not only brings you out of fellowship with God, but also inhibits the process of sanctification. The less you are sanctified in this world, the less reward you’ll have in heaven. It is not saying you can lose your salvation.
So move on to maturity in Christ!