2— “Impossible... to Renew Them Again Unto Repentance”
PERHAPS no part of God's word has been more commonly misunderstood than the nine opening verses of Heb. 6., and many sincere souls have failed to grasp their solemn meaning. We must, however, distinguish between mere "profession” and "possession." To "profess" Christ, as thousands do, is one thing, but to really "possess” Him as a personal and loving Saviour is quite another. The Hebrew Christians were, however, just emerging out of the dark shadows of law, ordinances, and Jewish ritual; and, as the cross of Christ is, in God's account, the moral end of man in the flesh, they had to be taught the immense contrast between Judaism and Christianity. Alas! how many true believers there are to-day in gross darkness through not understanding the difference between the privileges of the Jew of old and the “better things" which grace has now made the common birthright of all Christians, through Christ's death and resurrection.
It is evidently impossible for there to be either growth or fruit-bearing apart from life in a risen Christ, and hence how solemn is the condition of those who are content to be found in a place where God's Spirit is acting, and yet, spite of privilege and light, still remain only mere "professors." Lest any one should be deceived by a prevalent error that a real child of God may be yet lost eternally, the Scripture above referred to clearly points out the amazing difference between the heaven-refreshed land which bringeth forth herbs and receiveth blessing from God, and that which, bearing thorns and briars, is rejected and "nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.”
The herbs, meet for those by whom they are dressed, represent the beautiful fruits of His grace, whereas the thorns and briars are the worthless fruits of the unrenewed heart. How appalling that any who were once enlightened, who had tasted of the heavenly gift, been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and "tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come," should yet turn their backs on Christ and abandon the substance to go back to the shadow. To go back to Judaism, however, in any shape or form, and give up Christ and the gospel, would be to crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame; and, for all who deliberately did this, there could be no hope.
Simon Magus is a strikingly solemn instance of how far outward profession may go without the real knowledge of God. Privileged to be in the full blaze of gospel light, and a witness of the mighty power of God's Spirit, not only in the ousting of demons and the healing of many who were palsied and lame, but also in the conversion of souls, yet was he, after all, nothing but a mere “professor." His belief was mere head-belief, and was not the faith of a poor, lost sinner who had sought and found a Saviour. His subsequent baptism was but hypocritical pretense, and the empty bubble of his false profession quickly burst when he wanted to buy the Holy Ghost with money! Peter's answer furnished ample proof, if needed, of the true condition of this religious sorcerer. “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God ... for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
Surely here was a living sample of the soil that brought but thorns and briars; whereas in the case of the inquiring eunuch of Queen Candace, whose interesting conversion is recorded in the same chapter, we have the things that accompany salvation, he having received blessing from God.
Sad indeed is it to think of the awful doom which awaits every mere professor, and hence the utter impossibility of "renewing unto repentance" those who, having been within the privileged circle of responsibility, where God's Spirit works, and tasted, perhaps with joy, some measure of God's goodness, and witnessed the display of His mighty power, yet have then deliberately forsaken Christ; and, after knowing the way of salvation, have made shipwreck on the shores of eternity, with no possible means of recovery. Thus we learn how possible it is to taste the good word of God, as did Simon Magus, and yet not be quickened by it; possible to be resting only on law and ordinances for salvation, while refusing the Christ of God. And for all such there is nothing left but the blackness of darkness forever!
Reader, wilt thou be found among those whose end is to be burned, or take refuge now in the finished work and precious blood of Christ, and thus receive, through God's abounding grace, the abiding blessing He so freely gives? S. T.