Articles
Is It Impossible to Be Restored to Christ?
Is It Impossible to Be Restored to Christ?
Bryan Garlock
“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” (Hebrews 6.4-6, ESV)
Let us examine what seem to be the difficulties of this passage. First, the writer of Hebrews is speaking about Christians who “have fallen away”. Clearly God has expressed in His word that the once-faithful Christian can fall away through the deceitfulness of sin (see Heb. 3.12-13). In our text, the Holy Spirit chose to say, "…in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God”. These four points establish the fact these were Christians who had fallen away.
Those who teach that a person is “Once saved, always saved” try to dodge this passage by teaching that these were not “true Christians” or “were never saved to begin with”. Some even argue that the writer is showing why the Christian cannot fall away. “If he could, he could not be brought to repentance.” The problem with these kinds of statements is that it causes one to forsake the clear teaching of inspired Scripture to hold to their preconceived ideas and human traditions. Any honest person will see through this religious error.
Second, as a point that may be obvious but needs some attention, they became unfaithful because they “have fallen away”. This verse is clear that these were Christians who "escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1.4), but "are again entangled in them” (2 Peter 2.20). They knew the “way of righteousness” (2 Peter 2.21), but “Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray” (2 Peter 2.15). Simply put, they are living in a rebellious state, a condition where “they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”.
Third, and corresponding to the second point, since they are in a rebellious state, they are willfully rejecting the truth and sinning against God. In other words, “…if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” for “one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10.26-29, ESV). This is what is meant by “they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”.
Therefore, when the Bible speaks of the impossibility of restoration, it is speaking of those who have obeyed the gospel, were set free from sin and corruption, and later returned once again to the enslavement of these things. Their “last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire’” (2 Peter 1.20-22, ESV).
Let us be clear who the Bible is not talking about. It is not talking about one who is diligently growing in the grace of knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and seeking to be approved of God. Though he may occasionally fall short of the glory of God by sinning, he takes advantage of the provisions put forth by God to deal appropriately with his sins. This person is not living in a rebellious condition where no concern for God’s will is exhibited.
In Hebrews chapter six, the Holy Spirit describes a person whose mind is on the flesh, not a person whose mind contemplates the things of God (compare with Romans chapters 6-8). Paul taught, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8.5-8). Only when a man chooses to set his mind on spiritual things will he submit to God’s law.
Fourth, the writer claims it is “impossible… to restore them again to repentance”. Many are troubled by this passage and rightfully so. It is a fearful thing to consider that a man may not be restored back to the Lord. Fortunately, the Bible does teach that a person who is once again enslaved to sin can forsake those evil ways and be forgiven (See Matt. 18.15-17; Acts 8.22-24; Gal. 6.1; James 5.19-20; Ezekiel 18.23, 32; 33.11, etc.).
What if one remains in a rebellious state of unbelief and all the while “are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”? In this case, it is “…impossible…to restore them again to repentance”. Why? First, notice that they are “crucifying once again” indicating an ongoing action, and second, because they are intentionally forgetting that God cleansed them from their sins and are willfully continuing to oppose His word and will. This person’s heart is hardened by sin. He has no regard for the things of God. He has abandoned the faith and could not care less.
However, we must reconcile the impossibility taught here with the teachings of potential restoration seen in the verses immediately above. There is something common to these verses and others we could examine; that is, one may choose not to be restored. While we have the obligation to seek out that restoration, they have the choice to listen and repent or to continue in sin. Unfortunately, it is often the case that one chooses to remain in their lost condition. Lord willing, one day they will be like the prodigal son who came to his senses and realized the error of his ways (Luke 15.17).
If we are always on guard, paying attention lest we fall, and if we are faithful to God in all things, bearing fruit for Him in our lives, then we can be sure that though we may stumble from time to time, it will not be impossible to bring us back. However, if we totally and completely and consciously abandon the truth of God’s word and live rebelliously opposed to His promises, commandments, and judgments found within Scripture, then we have dreadful promises to look forward to: The Lord knows how to “keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2.9, ESV) and “For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10.30-31, ESV).
Is it impossible to be restored to the Lord? Only if you don’t want to be! BG
