Sovereign Grace Church

It is a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless, that many who begin the race well soon fall by the wayside. Many, who run well for a season, in time, walk no more among us. Tares are always sown among the wheat. Goats will always be found amongst God’s sheep in this world. Often, those who were once named among God’s saints and honored as brothers and sisters in Christ abandon Christ, his gospel, and his people. Thereby proving that they never were truly one of us (1 John 2:19). Such apostates are described in Hebrews 6:1-6.

A Distinction Illustrated

In verses 7 and 8, the Holy Spirit illustrates the fact that the preaching of the gospel, like rain falling from heaven, has profoundly different results upon the people who hear it. To some it is a savor of life unto life. To others it is a savor of death unto death.

When the gospel is blessed of God to the hearts of chosen, redeemed sinners, by the power of his almighty grace, it springs up unto life everlasting (v. 7). But those who hear the gospel and reject it as a thing to be despised, are themselves rejected of God, cursed forever, and shall be burned like useless weeds in hell (v. 8).

Let us lay these things to heart and soberly consider them. May these warnings and examples ever cause us to run to Christ, lay hold on him with both hands, and hold him with a death grip. However, the passage does not end with such terrifying warnings. Lest any true believer be terrified with the fear that he may, after all perish, the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle to speak in verses 9 and 10 of...

A Persuasion Of Grace

"But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

How sweet! How blessed! How encouraging! Though he solemnly warned these men and women, because he cared for their souls, of the danger of apostasy and the necessity of perseverance, he saw in them evident tokens of grace, “and things that accompany salvation.” We do not have to guess what these things are. He names them for us.

Excerpt from Discovering Christ In Hebrews Pages 149 to 150