Stay or Quit

 DEVOTION

TO HEBREWS

STAY OR QUIT

Heb 6:4-6

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

NIV

These are harsh words, however, if we ponder on what we have, these words are beautiful. First, we are among the enlightened. Our eyes have been opened, and we have been given the light, or come into the light. We know the light and the difference between darkness and light. Secondly, we are also among those who have tasted the heavenly gift, that is we have enjoyed the flavor of what is in heaven. We have not yet been given the fullness of heaven, the complete meal, but we tasted it and have understood all the goodness of heaven. Oh, taste and see, the Lord is good. Thirdly, we have shared in the Holy Spirit, which is an incredible gift, to know and feel the influence and power of the Spirit as he dwells within us. He manifests His gifts, through us, giving them according to His will, to each of us. Then if that is not enough, He works within us to exhibit His fruit so that others can enjoy His fruit from our lives. Fourth, we have tasted the goodness of the word of God, as it has brought us to salvation, and it has revealed the character and truth of God, so we can know His love for us, and it has revealed the coming age with all the powers of eternity to us. Simply put, we are a blessed people, in fact, blessed more than we can fully comprehend. Nevertheless, we live with the power of God in our lives, with all the fullness of Jesus in us. Now for the harshness of what happens if a believer decides to step away from God and turn back to that life of darkness. Simply put, it is impossible for them to come back. They might think they can, but God will not allow them back into the heavenly realm. It is difficult to think that God would block their return because he is a loving and forgiving God, but He is also a just God, and He will not allow those who have had it all, to give it up, turn away from or give back the heavenly gift, throw out the Holy Spirit, spit out the word of God, and refuse or throw away the power of the coming age, to come back to Him, because they would be crucifying Jesus all over again, and subjecting him to public disgrace. They would be showing this dark world the things of God are useless and unimportant, or meaningless, something that was ok but does not have much merit. Spitting in the face of God, so to speak. With that in mind, let us always be in the hands of God, always walking by His side, always experiencing all He has for us, in us, and through us until we step into the age to come.