can you fall away and come back?

[aiki]

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back.

Actually, I think the most straightforward explanation of this verse is that it is speaking of a false convert, a "tare" in the Church, not someone who was well and truly born-again.

But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness. And I was gone, with a brief exception of a few months, for a long time. I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Sounds like you weren't actually saved when you were 10 (or thereabouts). The apostle John wrote,

1 John 2:19
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me, but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved. I'm interested to hear people's opinions on those who leave and come back.

It is impossible to renew to repentance again one who has heard the Good News, understood it at least intellectually, "tasted" of its power (though only in a second-hand way), and participated in the work of the Spirit through involvement in the life and work of the Church but who has "fallen away" because such a person has essentially been inoculated against the Christian life and the Gospel. Being a false convert, they think they've been saved and have truly lived as a believer, but have found the faith (or, their counterfeit version of it) empty of spiritual power and life. Disillusioned, they abandon association with Christianity, believing they have discovered it to be a farce. Of course, they have not actually lived the Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit as a redeemed and adopted child of God.

 

[Halbhh]

Ok, if that's the case, then how do I know I'm saved now?

If you've not recently, you definitely want to read Luke chapter 15, and understand the parable of the prodigal, people like you and me, and how gracious and merciful our Father is if we confess/repent in real humbleness. Notice how in the parable the son was first already alive and a son of the Father, and then he leaves ('falls away' is one wording), and goes away into sin, and alienated from the Father, and by Christ's wording is dead.

Alive, and then dead...

...and then repents and returns and is met along the way, and with his humble confession is restored.

Christ said: "... this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

Look at those words. They aren't a mistake or accident of course, and they mean exactly what they sound like -- that while prodigal, the son was 'dead' to his family, but after repenting he is restored and is 'alive' ...."again"

Christ's words: "dead" and then "alive again"

So, see, answer #2 above was useful and this is part of what you can know.

I was prodigal enough that I needed to "ask", and "seek", and "knock" exactly as Christ Jesus said to us to do in Matthew chapter 7. When I did, I was brought back. I prayed, in a moment of faith: "God...make a path from me to you. Bring me to you." And He did, because it was a prayer in faith, in that moment.

It's important to know that everyone sins and falls short, and needs that confession/conversion/repentance, just as in 1 John chapter 1. All. It's not that you and I need to, but others don't. They also need to.

 

[Jonaitis]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back. But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness. And I was gone, with a brief exception of a few months, for a long time. I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me, but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved. I'm interested to hear people's opinions on those who leave and come back.

These videos may be of great encouragement to you! They are not long, but they explain a little about that chapter.

(I don't necessarily recommend the channel, but I do the speaker in this video who explains another passage found in Hebrews 10).

 

[Ing Bee]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back. But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness. And I was gone, with a brief exception of a few months, for a long time. I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me, but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved. I'm interested to hear people's opinions on those who leave and come back.

Hello-
Did you get to verses 9-11? "Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things -- things that belong to Salvation ... full assurance of hope until the end".
There you are, reading God's word to you, so verse 9-11 apply as well.

Here are a few things to think about that should encourage you.

1. It's possible like you never were in relationship to God before so you didn't fall actually away and now God has graciously drawn you to the Son. If you've enjoyed pure water, will you prefer sewer water? If you've really "tasted" (e.g. fully taken in the riches of God's bounty) is it possible to respond as you did? I don't think so. In the richness of His grace, your rebellion makes it possible for God to more fully demonstrate his grace to you (Romans 5). Not that you should draw closer by drawing farther away as a rule (Romans 6).
   
   
2. It's possible you were in relationship but you "wandered from the faith" and now God has graciously drawn you to the Son. (Lot's of other verses indicated that those who wander can be drawn back, even the sexually immoral man kicked out of the Corinthian church was drawn back in).You give this passage more weight than the many, many passages (including v.11 of chapter 6) that present salvation as a relationship to the Father, through the Son by the Spirit that is HIS work and guaranteed by HIS power and promise (Ephesians 1:13-14). Do a study of all the passages that indicate a secured, permanent, state of connection to the Father through the Son. Then hold that list up to all the passages that talk about "losing your salvation". One of them will be very long indeed and the other will have Hebrews 6 in it, but just those verses you read.
   
   
3. It's possible you have mis-defined your rebellion and are wrongly equating "fall away" with your behavior. Hebrews 5:14 indicates that the audience of the letter is having trouble discerning good from evil--meaning they are in ongoing sinful behavior, yet the author of Hebrews "feels sure of better things for them". Are you sure that is warranted. Restoration and reconciliation with God is at the heart of the good news. It seems odd that the Jesus who said to forgive "seventy times seven" and who said "I only do what I see the Father doing" would be LESS forgiving than we are commanded to be. The fact to go on is this: the Father is always far more gracious, kind and faithful than we are on our BEST day. Would you cast aside a friend or family member who had betrayed you and genuinely wanted to make it right and be in relationship with you? If you can imagine yourself or any other human doing that, then God does it too (2 Timothy 2:13).
   
   
4. Are worry, fear and anxiety fruit of the Spirit? No. Stop worrying. Trusting in God's love casts out fear. If this salvation was based on our ability to keep and maintain it, Jesus would never have come. Read Hebrews 8 again which quotes from Jeremiah 31. Do you notice that God made the NEW covenant in Christ because we were unable to keep the OLD covenant? As He did with Abram back in Genesis, God keeps BOTH parts of the covenant in Christ. Does that mean we can go around willfully sinning with impunity? Read Romans 6. The focus of the gospel though (especially that passage) is living the life of Christ because of what has already been done, not out of fear of being rejected if we don't measure up. Are you trusting Jesus as the one who perfectly obeyed the Father on your behalf?
   
   
5. Would you be worried about NOT being connected to God if you were a God-less, God-Hating, apostate? Look at the character of God in Christ. How did God treat David's malicious, evil adultery and murder? Read Psalm 51, then reflect that God DID forgive David AND kept His promises to him about a King from David's line who would rule forever as the Son of God. Also consider that David rightly feared the removal of the Holy Spirit but that no such fear rests on those who trust in Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Rather than being tormented by your own rebellion, reflect on the vastness of God's mercy and grace. Make your life a trophy of His love and goodness in the Cross rather than a bad, emo song about your deficiency. Romans 5:8 - While we were still rebellious enemies of God, the Father showed the cosmos-shaking depth and quality of His kind of live when, in the Son, God died for us.

May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly.

 

[BBAS 64]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back. But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness. And I was gone, with a brief exception of a few months, for a long time. I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me, but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved. I'm interested to hear people's opinions on those who leave and come back.

Good Day, Worshipjunkie

Give this a listen DA Carson:

Part 5: Jesus Is Better: Don't Apostatize (Hebrews 5:11-6:20)

 

[worshipjunkie]

Hello-
Did you get to verses 9-11? "Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things -- things that belong to Salvation ... full assurance of hope until the end".
There you are, reading God's word to you, so verse 9-11 apply as well.

Here are a few things to think about that should encourage you.

1. It's possible like you never were in relationship to God before so you didn't fall actually away and now God has graciously drawn you to the Son. If you've enjoyed pure water, will you prefer sewer water? If you've really "tasted" (e.g. fully taken in the riches of God's bounty) is it possible to respond as you did? I don't think so. In the richness of His grace, your rebellion makes it possible for God to more fully demonstrate his grace to you (Romans 5). Not that you should draw closer by drawing farther away as a rule (Romans 6).
   
   
2. It's possible you were in relationship but you "wandered from the faith" and now God has graciously drawn you to the Son. (Lot's of other verses indicated that those who wander can be drawn back, even the sexually immoral man kicked out of the Corinthian church was drawn back in).You give this passage more weight than the many, many passages (including v.11 of chapter 6) that present salvation as a relationship to the Father, through the Son by the Spirit that is HIS work and guaranteed by HIS power and promise (Ephesians 1:13-14). Do a study of all the passages that indicate a secured, permanent, state of connection to the Father through the Son. Then hold that list up to all the passages that talk about "losing your salvation". One of them will be very long indeed and the other will have Hebrews 6 in it, but just those verses you read.
   
   
3. It's possible you have mis-defined your rebellion and are wrongly equating "fall away" with your behavior. Hebrews 5:14 indicates that the audience of the letter is having trouble discerning good from evil--meaning they are in ongoing sinful behavior, yet the author of Hebrews "feels sure of better things for them". Are you sure that is warranted. Restoration and reconciliation with God is at the heart of the good news. It seems odd that the Jesus who said to forgive "seventy times seven" and who said "I only do what I see the Father doing" would be LESS forgiving than we are commanded to be. The fact to go on is this: the Father is always far more gracious, kind and faithful than we are on our BEST day. Would you cast aside a friend or family member who had betrayed you and genuinely wanted to make it right and be in relationship with you? If you can imagine yourself or any other human doing that, then God does it too (2 Timothy 2:13).
   
   
4. Are worry, fear and anxiety fruit of the Spirit? No. Stop worrying. Trusting in God's love casts out fear. If this salvation was based on our ability to keep and maintain it, Jesus would never have come. Read Hebrews 8 again which quotes from Jeremiah 31. Do you notice that God made the NEW covenant in Christ because we were unable to keep the OLD covenant? As He did with Abram back in Genesis, God keeps BOTH parts of the covenant in Christ. Does that mean we can go around willfully sinning with impunity? Read Romans 6. The focus of the gospel though (especially that passage) is living the life of Christ because of what has already been done, not out of fear of being rejected if we don't measure up. Are you trusting Jesus as the one who perfectly obeyed the Father on your behalf?
   
   
5. Would you be worried about NOT being connected to God if you were a God-less, God-Hating, apostate? Look at the character of God in Christ. How did God treat David's malicious, evil adultery and murder? Read Psalm 51, then reflect that God DID forgive David AND kept His promises to him about a King from David's line who would rule forever as the Son of God. Also consider that David rightly feared the removal of the Holy Spirit but that no such fear rests on those who trust in Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Rather than being tormented by your own rebellion, reflect on the vastness of God's mercy and grace. Make your life a trophy of His love and goodness in the Cross rather than a bad, emo song about your deficiency. Romans 5:8 - While we were still rebellious enemies of God, the Father showed the cosmos-shaking depth and quality of His kind of live when, in the Son, God died for us.

May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly.

Thank you for the verses and the encouragement, and for giving some differing perspectives. I'm very grateful.

 

[worshipjunkie]

Thank you to everyone who has given me Bible verses, well thought out responses and other resources on this issue. I've definitely read enough to feel reassured. Thank you, again!

 

[friend of]

2 Chronicles 7:14

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

 

[ViaCrucis]

It's a good idea to not take one statement in Scripture over all other statements in Scripture. The overwhelming biblical witness is that there is repentance for the apostate, we see this most clearly in the Gospels in the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Shepherd.

Hebrews 6 does not abrogate what the rest of Scripture says. So when you read it, read it in light of the rest of Scripture--any reading that is at odds with the rest of the biblical witness is going to be errant.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back. But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness. And I was gone, with a brief exception of a few months, for a long time. I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me, but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved. I'm interested to hear people's opinions on those who leave and come back.

Christ died for you. Trust in Him. That is your salvation.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

Ok, if that's the case, then how do I know I'm saved now?

Christ died for you.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[gideon123]

OP

suggestion.
when reading Paul, read through *all* his work. start in Acts, then keep going. it makes much more sense in an entirety.

try to keep in mind .. Paul was on the front lines fighting major spiritual wars each day. it helps to keep that mental picture of him. whatever he is talking about ... is usualky related to whatever spiritual battle was happening on that day. try seeing it ... in that context.

Blessings!

 

[Gideons300]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back. But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness. And I was gone, with a brief exception of a few months, for a long time. I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me, but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved. I'm interested to hear people's opinions on those who leave and come back.

Oh dear brother, do not be deceived by the devil. Of course you can come back. How do I know? Because you want to! Do you think that the Jesus we know and love will , on that final day, pull out the rule book, read that verse and tell you that He is sorry, but that His hands are tied? Ha! Not a chance in heaven.

The truth is, those who do cross the line of impossibility of returning will simply never want to. Read that verse carefully. What is it clearly telling us. Those who have gone too far will never again repent.

Believe the good news. And armed with that joy and renewed faith, set your eyes firmly upon Jesus to keep you from ever falling again. We are too that our God will cause us to will AND to do of His good pleasure. That is the God that up til now has been blinded to our eyes.

You see, in our understanding of salvation, we think that once we get this amazing gift, God has done His part and now it is on our shoulders to clean ourselves up, and fly right. Good grief, is it any wonder why true children of God backslide?

Has God not promised that our shields of faith will quench ALL the fiery darts thrown at us by the devil? Has He not assured us that He will not allow us to be tempted above our ability to stand against them? Do we think if these things were actually promises to be counted on, continuing in sin and falling away once, twice, or more would be rarer than a black diamond. Is not God our potter, vowing to keep us from falling?

You see, this is the real issue that needs to come to light. Not how far is too far, but how kept can we be kept if God promises to do the keeping? How changed can God make us? When our eyes are opened to those questions, we will be amazed.... stunned.... overjoyed,,,to see how we have limited our God by our unbelief.

May God bless you as you move forward into Him, free of guilt, free of fear. Free indeed!

Blessings,

Gideon

 

[Maria Billingsley]

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

It is a good practice to first understand who this verse is speaking to. Then with good exegesis you can determine the original message. This was written to those Jews who fell back to Judaism or tried to mix the Mosaic Old Covenant with the New Covenant given by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. They were an immature group not progressing to being a mature discerning Christian.
Remember, the whole book is talking about not going back to Judaism.

 

[Sam91]

I was in the wilderness for 15 years but came back.

Think of the prodigal son.

Think of how unfaithful Israel was.

The reason I was in the wilderness was because I knowingly sinned. I believed that to go to Church would make me a hypocrite. I was stuck in self condemnation.

Not even the Lord healing me miraculously when I just told someone that if it was in His will I'd be healed opened my eyes to the fact that I was welcome back.

It took another 8 or so years.

Many times I tried to come back. I would be reading my bible and praying lots for a few weeks every so often.

Eventually, nearly 3 years ago I just prayed with no words. I didn't want to make God promises I couldn't keep. I then picked up my Bible. I read the parable where Jesus said 'Get up and walk.' So I did. Getting up and walking actually was easier than believing I was forgiven. I have since learned that even if I lived as good a life as I could I could never earn salvation. I could never deserve it. It is by God's grace that He forgives us. Through what Christ did, as you know. But that verse in Hebrews was part of what kept me away. The rest was my own understanding.

Trust in Him.

 

[Great_Depression]

I left because I was angry that I was still suffering despite prayer and it made me question my faith. I had also recently been disappointed in some members of my church I was close to. And I went to college. I thought I was well-educated in the faith but I wasn't prepared to stand up to the secular humanism and the New Age teachings I got there. I left and went, first to Wicca, then to Catholicism (for me, because of the way I believed and practiced Catholicism, I would say I wasn't saved during my time as a Catholic).

What do I believe now? I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I believe He sits at the right hand of God the Father. I believe I am saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone. And I believe I have repented of my false beliefs and errors and efforts to earn my salvation and beliefs that I am a good enough person to be saved, as well as my outright mocking, hatred and scorning of Christ (as a Wiccan). And I believe that having repented, His blood washes away my sins. I'm sorry if I don't have the wording right or forgot to mention something crucial.

I think it is important to define what it means in Hebrews when it says "fall away".

For example, let's say someone grts saved at age 19 but then for whatever reason goes through a stage from 22-26 and drinks, parties, maybe fornicates some. You get what I mean.

But all the while of this 4 years they know they are not living right. The holy spirit deals with them. Then one day the hily spirit at age 26 convicts them so that they repent and come back to God. Is that it means by "falling away". I personally call that being back slidden. If we had a clear definition of "falling away" meant it would help answer this question.

In my opinion, if you got saved at 10 and truly accepted christ as your saviour. Knowing he died and rose fo your sins. Then went through a "back slidden" period but all the while knowing something just wasn't righ and now have returned to the father then you are still saved and always was. You were just back slidden and not falling away. I believe some one who falls away doesn't just open reject christ, God, and all but truly means it in their heart. Even if someone syas it that doesn't mean they have actually fallen away, in my opinion, because if they don't mean it and they still have the holy spirit that deals with them on a daily, weekly, etc basis. But if someone comepletly falls away then they will not ever want to come back because the holy spirit leaves them.

That first part should sound very familiar. Did the father take the prodigal son back? I really hope this helps you.

 

[Rescued One]

Did I save myself? If I could, Jesus didn't have to die for me. If God brought me to Christ what does He plan to do with me?



If we are truly saved we love Him and don't walk away. If we don't love Him we don't keep His commandments.

Philippians 2
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Can Satan or anyone else (or even ourselves) separate us from Him?

Romans 8
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Those who love Him don't walk away.

John 10
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

 

[Oldmantook]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

This passage does indeed describe believers as they "were once enlightened," "tasted the heavenly gift" and have become "partakers of the Holy Spirit," etc. It is impossible for unbelievers to fall away from the from that faith since they were never of the faith to begin with. It is impossible for unbelievers to be renewed again to repentance since they never repented in the first place. Thus this passage can only be referring to genuine believers.
With that understanding how do these verses apply to believers? The verb tense in v.6 is critical in understanding this passage. The NIV reads: "and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." This is a more accurate translation since in the Greek, these are present tense participles. The present tense in the Greek is indicative of ongoing action. Since these believers are still engaged in crucifying and subjecting Christ to open shame, their continued actions in this manner give ample evidence that they have not repented. Since these believers have not repented and turned away from these sins but continue to do them, it is impossible "to be restored again to repentance" since they choose to continue sinning. Thus they have become lost; forfeited their salvation. So this passage does not apply to you as you have turned your life around and repented. Keep running the race!

 

[Strong in Him]

I was reading Hebrews and I had to stop, it was upsetting me so much. I'm sure you're all familiar with the verse:

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

The most straightforward explanation seems to be that if you are a Christian, and you fall away, you can't come back.

But that interpretation contradicts Scripture, which tells us of people who sinned, repented, were restored and then sinned again - sometimes more than once, like the Israelites in the wilderness.
John says that if we confess our sins God is faithful, will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It wouldn't make sense to say that unbelievers need to repent and become Christians, but if they sin again/give into temptation after they have done so, that's it. God's not like that.

But I was a Christian from age 10 or so (don't remember exact date) until I was 18. Then I left the faith. It wasn't out of weakness or deception. It was flat out rebellion and maliciousness.

Maybe.
But lots of kids are brought up a certain way and later rebel against that upbringing and their parents ideals and values.

I just recently came back and rededicated my life to Christ.

Great! Welcome back.

Or did I? I'm trying to tell myself if I can believe and repent that the above condemnation doesn't apply to me,

The author of Hebrews is not talking about a Christian who may sin and then want to repent.
He was addressing his book to a church that was made up of Jewish, and Gentile, Christians, who were facing persecution for their faith. The Jewish Christians could have escaped this persecution by saying "we're Jews" and going to the synagogues. But to be accepted again by those synagogues, they would have had to publicly confess, "we made a mistake, Jesus of Nazareth is not the Messiah". It seems that some were thinking of doing that, to save their lives, and then - when the persecution was over - repenting again and say "we didn't mean that; Jesus is Messiah and Lord." I'm sure the Lord would have forgiven them, even then; but they may have found that neither Jews nor Christians would have accepted them ever again.
So they had a choice; confess Jesus as Lord, profess their faith and accept that, if/when persecution came they might lose their lives, or turn their backs on Jesus and their faith, but save their lives.

These verses from Hebrews troubled me for a long time because they did appear to contradict Scripture. But reading a commentary, finding out what was going on and to whom the letter was addressed, made all the difference.

but I can't help but worry I'm running the race in vain and I'm not truly saved.

And I've no doubt that the devil is fuelling those fears and wants to keep you in a state of doubt for as long as possible - anything to keep you from living a victorious Christian life, giving thanks and praise to God.

If you were not saved/had your heart hardened/were beyond hope etc, I doubt you would be posting on a Christian forum and worrying that you might not be saved.

 

[worshipjunkie]

And I've no doubt that the devil is fuelling those fears and wants to keep you in a state of doubt for as long as possible - anything to keep you from living a victorious Christian life, giving thanks and praise to God.

If you were not saved/had your heart hardened/were beyond hope etc, I doubt you would be posting on a Christian forum and worrying that you might not be saved.

You're right. I let my focus slip. I need to turn my eyes back where they belong and get them off myself. And I know you're right about my being concerned is a sign in itself.

A little thing about me though; I wasn't raised as a Christian. My parents were New Age Christians (the term I can think of the closest to their belief) and they didn't raise me religious at all, but somehow, from 8 or so, I knew I had to seek out God. When I was nine I realized one day I would die and that added to the pull to God. I started going to church with a friend, someone at the church gave me a Bible, I started reading it, I was asking tons of questions, but my heart was gradually getting softened and one day I asked Jesus into my heart the best I knew how. From there I was a fervent Christian until about a year before I actually left, where I gradually became more lukewarm. I even went to a term at Bible college when I was 17 (I graduated early).

I share this only to clarify why I believe I was saved then. If I wasn't, I would want to know how I could love God, read His Word, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and yet be wrong about my salvation, and also how I could know that I'm not deceived now.