Rest for the Weary discussion

REPOSTED FROM "Questions Answered" a daily devotional of Bible Gateway

Hebrews 6:6

Is falling away from the faith a danger for Christians? Throughout this letter we are warned to be careful, that falling away is a dangerous possibility (see, for example, Heb 10:26-27,36). The words fall away suggest a runner dropping out of a race, veering off the track and giving up. The Hebrews would have understood this as a picture of abandoning their faith.

Can people "drop out" to the point where there is no longer any hope for their salvation? Some think so and point out that only God knows when a person's persistent disobedience will bring such judgment. This book's primary example-the Israelites in the desert-shows that judgment came only after God had tolerated many rebellions. The writer's concern for his readers suggests that they were dangerously close to crossing the line where it would be impossible to start over.

Others read these warnings differently, though. They insist that Christians are eternally secure and cannot fall from grace, so these words are intended for those who have merely tasted God's grace but have not truly believed.

However it's interpreted, those who fall away are not those who merely stumble in the race. Christians may have moments of weakness or temporary lapses in their faith; they may stumble and then, by God's grace, return again to the Lord. But those who fall away are those who remain unrepentant and persist in their rebellion against God- like those who crucified Jesus.
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Those who persist in obstinate refusal to repent are those who believe they have nothing of which to repent. They see nothing sinful in their way of life. They do not see any need to cravenly ask for Jesus to save them by his sinless life. Their own righteousness will do just fine thank you. There is 0% probability that you will get through this life without breaking at least one commandment and breaking even the smallest commandment is the same as breaking all of them and subjecting you to the whole weight of God's righteoous judgement. Depending on Christ is all the hope we need. PRAISE GOD!

Think of it this way. "Falling" is something that happens from a "higher" to a "lower" position. To me "Grace"-the undeserved blessings of God is a far higher spiritual position than personal righteousness based on keeping the law. So to reverting to the lower state for your claim on Heaven or any of God's promises that may be claimed in this life, is sadly a case of FALLING FROM GRACE.

How true those words are. I wouldn't doubt in the present time that we have the highest number of unbelievers of all time. My own family has a whole generation of children raised without the benefit of religion of attending church. Baffles me as we were raised to be good Catholics and never missed church on Sunday and holidays. Where will these children/adults learn right from wrong?

Still there is more (and less) than attendance of services. Each must yoke himself to the source of the church's authority and power. Thanks for the input.

That's the whole idea, religion taught me right from wrong, the punishment of doing wrong,the fear of going to Hell for misdeeds. How to live life as, or as close to, how Jesus lived.The biggest ever, knowledge of Jesus. So who is the role model for the new generation?

Angelina Jolie and others of her ilk.

Oh boy, the future doesn't look so good.They should teach the basic bible in schools with instruction in all the different religious views as a sociology course. I know that is offered in college.We're talking about a whole generation that will eventually lead the world.

I fear that "Basic Bible" taught by thoroughly secular leaders would convince students to "be happy - don't worry" do your own thing cause God is dead, and taught by indoctrinated institutional leaders would turn the students into worse devils than their teachers. They need "Advanced Bible" taught by the master himself, 'cause nobody quite believed Micah (6:8) when he tried to tell the people to treat one another right, forgive one another for their offences against each other and remember to ask God to forgive you.

I don't believe all is lost if you were not raised in church! In fact, only two pastors (out of many) that truly touched my heart are ones who shared with me that they used to be not live such a good life. One has the biker tattoos to prove it, lol.

And on the flip side...I know many who were raised in church, but now are atheist. I was raised in a very religious home and really rebelled against God for most of my adult life. I am currently on a path to get to know Him again.

So if a child is/is not raised in church, I don't feel their moral compass (what is wrong and right) is doomed. Life presents many opportunities to learn!

Praise God! Even though I tend to believe that there is a point at which you invite Jesus to take over, life is complicated and the apostle Paul seems to recognize that we have to "work out" how the Lordship of Jesus applies in each situation. Philippians 2:12

Just read Charles Stanley this morning. He says this really means to"LIVE" out the gosple, not "work" out a private understanding. That makes a lot more sense.

Dan wrote: "REPOSTED FROM "Questions Answered" a daily devotional of Bible Gateway

Hebrews 6:6

Is falling away from the faith a danger for Christians? Throughout this letter we are warned to be careful, that..."

Just reviewing the topics. This one still grabs my attention. It seems to be related to "the age of accountability" for which I cannot set an age. Each person can probably remember the first time their conscience objected to some proposed action. At that point they KNEW right from wrong. It was God's Holy Spirit restraining (or encouraging them) and they need to learn how to recognize Him speaking because God will hold them accountable for their responses and just as importantly they can establish (STRENGTHEN OR WEAKEN)their communication with God that will grow more and more important as they age and as human family and friends die, leaving you alone. Oh how we need His companionship. It becomes increasingly important as we enter into more adult relationships that we please God in those relationships so He can bless us with good reputations.