FALLEN FROM GRACE

Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

The lives of those recorded in God’s Word have saving lessons to teach us. Whatever was written before was written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. But often those lessons are not what our sinful nature wants to hear. Consider the lives of  Samson, Solomon, and David as they have especially important lessons for us.

Samson was known for his strength. The Spirit would fill him with superhuman strength enabling him to fight against Israel’s enemy the Philistines. He was a judge  leader responsible for the welfare and protection of the people, in Israel for 20 years. He was a Nazirite, dedicated to the service of God from birth. Even so, Samson’s life was one of contradiction. He continually broke the rules of a Nazirite. He was a womanizer and a vengeful man. His life is an example of what happens when we allow our sinful nature to take over. The Spirit shows the foolishness of relying on our own judgment, instead of trusting our Lord! Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Solomon was known best for his wisdom (even though he had 700 wives and 300) concubines. Solomon loved the LORD. The Spirit worked through him to record the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs. But he too had his weaknesses, he married pagan wives, built pagan altars for them, and even participated in pagan worship himself. Through Solomon’s life the Spirit shows us that life apart from the Lord is meaningless, no matter how educated, successful, or rich! We also learn from Solomon that ultimately our Lord and His Word are all that matter. Remember, Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus words will never pass away.

David is surely the most familiar and there are many events in David’s life that serve as lessons for us both good and bad. His life was eventful, he started out as a lowly shepherd boy, the Lord enabled him to defeat Goliath, in time he became the king of Israel. He was given many military victories. He was even called a man after God’s own heart. The Spirit worked through him to record many of the Psalms but we must remember David was also a murderer, an adulterer, and a prideful man. David’s life also shows how dangerous our sinful nature’s desires are when we follow after them. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Samson, Solomon, and David were just like us, sinners who daily fought against the world, the devil, and their own flesh. They’re examples of how the Lord works through the lives of His children to accomplish His will but above all we see in their lives - the unfailing and ever-present grace and mercy of God. His patience and endless love for mankind. Keep in mind these men were heroes of the faith but Samson, the strongest man; Solomon, the wisest man, and David, the man after God’s own heart - all fell into unbelief!

Each of them turned their back on God and followed their sinful nature! Our Lord warns; it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance! It was impossible for them to bring themselves back to faith. In each case they had grown lazy in spiritual matters! They became arrogant thinking far too highly of their own importance or ability. Rather than holding to and following their Lord in faith, they chose to follow their corrupted nature! The devil was able to drive a wedge between those heroes of faith and the Lord and they fell into unbelief! The results were devastating on themselves and their families. By God’s grace they were each brought back to faith but there was no guarantee that would happen! Are we willing to take that chance?

Our enemy’s only desire is to drag us into unbelief. The tempter never sleeps, never tires, he’s continually on the prowl, he knows our weaknesses far better than we do and he uses them against us! We need to ask ourselves, are we making it easier for him  by following our sinful nature? Remember, it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. That should send a shiver up our spine, raise the hairs on the back of our necks! It’s not possible, if we fall from faith to bring ourselves back to faith! Only the Spirit can accomplish that through the Gospel BUT the Gospel is the first thing the fallen separate themselves from.  

We don’t like to talk about it but each Christian can name someone who has fallen away or on the verge! The reasons why don’t matter, the result is the same! Like Samson, Solomon, and David, they fell into unbelief, separated themselves from the Means of Grace, and can’t bring themselves back to faith! Our Lord’s Message is clear, we must understand what’s at stake; our salvation.

Our faith life is not a sprint, but a marathon filled with (skandalizo) spiritual death traps along the way. We  cannot get lazy in our faith life, this is a very real danger for every Christian as long as we’re alive! Our Lord, because His great love, shows us how to avoid the spiritual death traps that lead to unbelief. We are to grow! grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Continue gathering with like-minded believers, make frequent use of the Lord’s Supper, and in Christian love encourage and build up one another!

Jesus knows how weak we are and encourages us to pray! Watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak! We are to immerse ourselves in His Gospel, the power of God to salvation! We’re to hear and read His Word continually. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God! Our Redeemer wants us to turn to Him alone for life and salvation; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We're to look to Jesus for forgiveness knowing the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, purifies  (cleanses) us from all sin. In other words, we’re to live and breathe the faith. Are we making every possible effort to remain faithful to our Savior? Samson, Solomon, and David probably thought so too!                                                          

Amen!