3) Difficult passages and problems … We noted yesterday that the examples of Scripture fit the picture of those who struggle with sin and whose lives are not instantly transformed at the point of conversion.
b)
Hebrews
5:10-6:11. The writer of Hebrews
is, it seems to me, speaking to those who are believers in Christ. In 5:12-14 he speaks of their immaturity, not
their lack of the conversion experience.
They have “become dull of hearing” (5:11). Thus, when he speaks of those “once
enlightened” in 6:4-5, I believe he is speaking of Christians who might then “fall
away” (6:6). In our upcoming study of
Hebrews I believe we will make much better sense of this. But for now we will recognize that this has
been a controversial passage on the subject of “eternal security.” One excellent interpretation says that what
the writer is saying is that, if in fact a person could lose their salvation,
there would be no way they could ever be saved again. If Christ’s work was not sufficient to keep
him saved then there is no other alternative “Savior.” That is contrary to the usual teaching of
those who believe you can lose your salvation.
They also teach you can come to faith again. Stay tuned, and we will provide a better
answer, that this is talking about a situation unique to the believers who are recipients
of this letter to the Hebrews. Our view
is that the “falling away” is not from their salvation but is related to the
soon-coming judgment of God on the city of Jerusalem. The problem for these believers is that
returning to the temple worship will result in their death at the hand of the
Romans.
c)
2 Peter 2. This
chapter is about false teachers that the Spirit says will invade the
Church. On the matter of “security” the
critical section is 2:18-22, and especially v20-21: For if, after
they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and
overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it
would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to
them. As I can do no better, I am going to explain this by use of
Albert Barnes Notes. The question is, of
course, were these teachers ever saved individuals.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world - This does
not necessarily mean that they had been true Christians, and had fallen from
grace. People may outwardly reform, and escape from the open corruptions which
prevail around them, or which they had themselves practiced, and still have no
true grace at heart.
Through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - Neither does this imply that they were true Christians, or that they had ever had any saving
knowledge of the Redeemer. There is a knowledge of the doctrines and duties of
religion which may lead sinners to abandon their outward vices, which has no
connection with saving grace. They may profess religion, and may know enough of
religion to understand that it requires them to abandon their vicious habits,
and still never be true Christians.
They are again entangled therein and overcome - The word rendered "entangled," (ἐμπλέκω emplekō,) from which is derived our word "implicate," means to braid in, to interweave; then to involve in, to entangle. It means here that they become implicated in those vices like an animal that is entangled in a net.
The latter end is worse with them than the beginning - This is usually the case. Apostates become worse than they were before their professed conversion. "Reformed" drunkards, if they go back to their "cups" again, become more abandoned than ever. Thus, it is with those who have been addicted to any habits of vice, and who profess to become religious, and then fall away.
No comments:
Post a Comment