Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, I'd like to share with you some wonderful truths about our incredible salvation in Jesus Christ. Particularly focusing on the book of Hebrews, we'll uncover the depth and breadth of what it means to be truly saved and secure in our faith.

Friends, have you ever wondered about the difference between simply knowing about God and truly knowing Him? The writer of Hebrews addresses this very issue when he speaks of those who are “enlightened” versus those who are “regenerated.” You see, it's entirely possible to have knowledge of the gospel, to even taste of its goodness, without fully embracing it and allowing it to transform your life.

Consider for a moment the Israelites who left Egypt. They witnessed incredible miracles, tasted of God's provision in the wilderness, and even stood at the border of the Promised Land. Yet, despite all they had seen and experienced, many of them failed to enter into God's rest due to unbelief. This serves as a powerful warning to us today. It's not enough to merely sample the things of God; we must fully partake of Christ and allow His life to become our own.

The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6). This passage has caused much confusion and even despair among believers, but it's crucial to understand its context and true meaning.

This warning is not directed at true believers who may stumble. Rather, it speaks to those who have been exposed to the truth, have seen its power, and yet ultimately reject it. It's a sobering reminder of the responsibility that comes with knowledge. To whom much is given, much is required.

Friends, let's dig deeper into what it means to be “enlightened” versus “regenerated.” Being enlightened is like having the lights turned on in a dark room. Suddenly, you can see everything clearly. You understand the gospel message, you recognise your need for a Saviour, and you perceive the beauty of God's plan. But being enlightened alone doesn't save you. It's possible to see the truth and still walk away from it.

On the other hand, regeneration is a complete transformation. It's not just seeing the light; it's becoming a new creation in that light. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is the difference between tasting the fruit and actually eating it, between admiring a gift and actually receiving it.

The author of Hebrews uses several phrases to describe those who have experienced the things of God without truly being saved. They have “tasted the heavenly gift,” “become partakers of the Holy Spirit,” and “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.” These experiences are real and significant, but they fall short of saving faith.

Think about the spies who went into the Promised Land. They saw the abundance of the land, even brought back some of its fruit. They tasted of its goodness. But most of them didn't have the faith to enter and possess it. In the same way, it's possible to taste the goodness of God's Word, to witness the power of the Holy Spirit at work, and even to experience temporary changes in one's life, without ever fully surrendering to Christ.

This is why the warning in Hebrews is so serious. For those who have experienced all these things and still turn away, it becomes incredibly difficult – the text says “impossible” – to bring them back to repentance. It's not that God is unwilling to forgive, but that the person who has seen so much of God's truth and still rejects it hardens their heart to such a degree that repentance becomes practically impossible.

But for those of us who have truly put our faith in Christ, there is incredible assurance and comfort to be found in the promises of God. The author of Hebrews goes on to say, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner” (Hebrews 6:9). Do you see the shift in tone here? He's no longer addressing those on the fence but is speaking directly to true believers.

And what does he say to encourage us? He reminds us of the unshakeable nature of God's promises. Just as God swore an oath to Abraham, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you” (Hebrews 6:14), He has made promises to us that are equally secure. In fact, the writer tells us that God confirmed His promise with an oath, “that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe, who cannot lie, has not only made promises to us but has sworn by Himself to keep them. What incredible security we have in Christ! This hope we have is described as an anchor for our souls, both sure and steadfast.

Friends, this assurance is not based on our performance or our ability to hold onto God. It's based entirely on God's faithfulness and the finished work of Christ. When God made His covenant with Abraham, He didn't ask Abraham to swear an oath. God alone passed between the pieces of the sacrifice, symbolising that He alone would bear the responsibility for fulfilling the covenant.

In the same way, our salvation is secured not by our efforts, but by God's unchanging promise and Christ's perfect sacrifice. As believers, we are not just enlightened; we are regenerated. We are not just tasting the heavenly gift; we have fully partaken of it. We are not just associated with the Holy Spirit; He dwells within us.

But it doesn't stop there. Not only do we have God's promises and oath, but we also have Jesus Himself as our great High Priest. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Can you grasp the magnitude of this truth? Jesus, our perfect High Priest, is constantly interceding on our behalf before the Father.

This means that no matter what challenges we face, no matter how we may stumble or falter, we have an advocate who stands in the gap for us. He is our surety, guaranteeing our righteousness before God and assuring us of the grace we need to persevere. What a comfort to know that our salvation doesn't depend on our own strength or ability to hold on, but on the finished work of Christ and His ongoing ministry on our behalf!

As we reflect on these incredible truths, how should we respond? First and foremost, we should be filled with gratitude and praise for such a great salvation. The grace that has been lavished upon us is truly beyond comprehension. Secondly, we should be motivated to live lives worthy of this calling, not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and gratitude for all that Christ has done for us.

Moreover, we should be compelled to share this good news with others. Think about the people in your life who may have tasted of the things of God but have not yet fully embraced Christ. They may be like those Israelites standing at the border of the Promised Land, hesitating to enter in. Your testimony and encouragement could be the very thing God uses to help them take that step of faith.

Remember, the difference between being enlightened and being regenerated is the difference between life and death. It's not enough to know about Jesus; we must know Him personally and trust in Him completely. As you go about your day, consider how you can move beyond mere knowledge to a deep, transformative relationship with Christ.

Friends, let's also consider the importance of spiritual maturity in light of these truths. The author of Hebrews expresses disappointment that some believers were still stuck on “milk” when they should have progressed to “solid food” (Hebrews 5:12-14). This isn't about intellectual knowledge, but about growing in our understanding and application of the gospel. As we mature in faith, we become better equipped to discern truth from error and to stand firm in the face of challenges.

This growth process involves moving beyond the elementary teachings of the faith. The writer mentions several of these in Hebrews 6:1-2: “repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.” These are foundational truths, but we're called to build upon them, deepening our understanding of God's character, His ways, and His purposes for our lives.

As we grow, we become more firmly rooted in our identity in Christ. We learn to rest in His finished work rather than striving in our own strength. We begin to grasp more fully the implications of being a new creation in Christ, co-heirs with Him, and ambassadors of His kingdom. This maturity enables us to face life's challenges with greater confidence and peace, knowing that our hope is anchored in Christ's unchanging love and faithfulness.

Be blessed today my brothers and sisters. May you rest secure in the knowledge that your salvation is anchored in the unchangeable promises of God and the perfect work of Christ. May you walk in the freedom and power that comes from knowing you are eternally secure in Him. And may you be filled with His grace and strength to face whatever challenges may come your way, knowing that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Phil