Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned (Hebrews 6:7-8).
Hebrews 6:1-8 is one of those difficult passages to interpret. There are three main views:
1. It refers to Christians who lose their salvation. (Of course, if this is the true interpretation, then Hebrews 6 also teaches that a Christian who loses their salvation cannot get it back, v. 6).
2. It refers to those who “profess” to know Christ but in the end fall away.
3. It is a hypothetical passage basically saying, “Since it is impossible to go back and get saved again, move on to maturity!”
I definitely disagree with the first interpretation since I believe it contradicts the rest of Scripture. But both the second and third interpretations have good arguments in their favor. However, at this point in time, I lean toward the second one.
I think the writer of Hebrews is echoing Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed. Sometimes the seed of God’s Word lands on soil that immediately receives it. Indeed, “receives it with joy” (Matthew 13:20). But over time something happens. Tough times hit and the person “falls away.” Christianity is not the bed of roses they thought it was. It does not solve all their problems or bring them never-ending happiness and health. Thus, they move on and try something else. Was such a person ever saved? I think Jesus’ parable is saying they were not. They tasted salvation but they did not embrace it. Or put in a more direct way, they wanted the benefits of Christ but they did not really want Christ.
Marriage is a good illustration. There are many people who want the benefits of marriage but who do not want the commitment of marriage. They live together…they may even say vows together…but in the end they simply want what they can get out of the relationship more than the relationship itself. When tough times hit or when the relationship doesn’t produce all they want, they move on to the next person and start all over.
This doesn’t work with Christ. Christ wants our whole heart, our whole life, our whole soul. We cannot “date” Christ. We must embrace Him in a covenant marriage. He is the groom. We are the bride. And we find our life and joy in learning what it means to love Him and be loved by Him…for better or for worse, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death bring us face-to-face together.
Of course, Christ does not ask for this kind of commitment to make our lives miserable. He is eager to bring us abundant life, eternal life. But this is only found as we follow Him through the difficult times and trust Him when we do not always see where He is going.
Lord, thank You for loving me. Grow my relationship with You. Deepen our intimacy. Build my trust. May I not forsake You for another but may I continue to find my ultimate joy and peace in You alone.