OUR FATHER TOWARD WHOM WE SHOULD HAVE SINCERE FAITH

The writer of the book of Hebrews in chapter 6 verses 1 - 8 urges his readers to grow beyond the foundational doctrines like repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection from the dead and eternal judgement. He encourages them to move toward maturity and completeness but  importantly notes that this is dependent on God´s permission to move ahead.

The reason God vets all those who will be allowed to surge towards maturity is that once a person has ascended into the heavenly things and partakes in the Holy Spirit, experience the good word of God and practiced the powers of the age to come, it is impossible for them to be restored by repentance if they fall away because at the enlightened level, falling away puts Christ to open shame and they would require that Christ be crucified again.

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 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.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

To minimize the chance of such a thing occuring, God screens believers and only those whom He green lights (because He understands their thoughts and intentions), are able to advance towards maturity with assurance that they can stay the course.

Amen.

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