great post Charlie thanks for sharing, I fear drifting away for sure, because I know how easy it is to become spiritually blind, and then you do not even know you have drifted away !!
I know what you mean Scriptures like this will keep you on your toes so to speak.
Hebrews 6:4-6, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
Is a sobering passage that addresses the possibility of falling away from the faith after experiencing significant spiritual blessings. It describes individuals who have been enlightened by the gospel, tasted the heavenly gift of salvation, and received the Holy Spirit. These believers have also encountered the transformative power of God's Word and witnessed the supernatural manifestations of His kingdom.
The passage emphasizes that if such individuals were to fall away from their faith and reject Christ, it would be exceedingly difficult for them to return to repentance. This is because in turning away, they effectively disregard the sacrifice of Jesus Christ anew, crucifying Him afresh and bringing shame upon His name. This warning underscores the seriousness of apostasy—the deliberate rejection of faith after experiencing its transformative power.
The passage serves as a strong admonition to believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to guard against drifting away or turning back from following Christ. It highlights the need for genuine commitment and perseverance in the Christian walk, rooted in a continual reliance on the grace and power of God. While salvation is secure for those who remain faithful, Hebrews 6:4-6 underscores the dire consequences of turning away from Christ once one has experienced the fullness of His grace and salvation. Thus, it encourages believers to hold fast to their confession of faith and to continually seek God's strength to endure and remain faithful until the end.
Hebrews 10:26-29, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"
Presents a solemn warning about the consequences of willful sin and apostasy after receiving the knowledge of the truth. This passage highlights the severity of turning away from the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
It begins by stating that if someone deliberately continues to sin after having known and experienced the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ, there is no longer any sacrifice that can atone for their sins. This emphasizes the finality and seriousness of rejecting the grace that was offered through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
The passage then contrasts the fate of those who reject Christ with the consequences under the Old Testament law. It reminds readers that under Moses’ law, those who disregarded its commands faced severe judgment, even death. In a similar vein, the punishment for those who reject Christ and His sacrifice will be much more severe because they have not only rejected a law given by Moses but have also rejected the Son of God Himself and the sanctifying power of His blood.
To count the blood of the covenant as unholy and to insult the Spirit of grace is to show utter contempt for God's mercy and the work of redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ. Such actions provoke God's righteous judgment and the prospect of facing His fiery indignation, which is described as a fearful expectation of judgment for those who stand in opposition to God.
Therefore, Hebrews 10:26-29 serves as a strong admonition against willful sin and apostasy. It underscores the importance of continuing in faith and obedience to Christ, acknowledging His sacrifice as the only means of salvation, and living a life that honors and respects the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It urges believers to maintain their commitment to Christ, knowing that to turn away from Him after experiencing His truth and grace carries severe consequences.