Perseverance: Objections Part 7d

Continuing our look at Hebrews 6:4-9.

It is impossible to renew them again to repentance. Some take this to mean that these people have genuinely repented at one time and then committed apostasy.  For these people, they say, it is impossible for them to repent and be saved again.  I don't believe this is the case.  For one thing, repentance does not always refer to a genuine, heartfelt repentance unto salvation.  For example, in Hebrews 12:17, the word is used of Esau in regards to his change of mind over selling his birthright (this was not a saving repentance, for the verse tells us he was rejected).  Here, in Hebrews six, it seems that these people felt bad over their sin and even changed their mind on some issues (realized some things that they believed to be good were actually sin), but they did not truly repent unto salvation.  2 Corinthians 7:8-11 shows us that there is a sorrow which leads to true repentance and a sorrow which still leads to death.  

The second half of verse Hebrews 6:6 goes on to say why it is impossible to renew them to repentance: "since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."  In spite of seeing their sin and guilt and feeling remorseful over it, they willfully reject God's remedy to sin, namely the sacrifice of his Son.  These people have been "in" the church, tasted of the heavenly gift, seen the work of the Holy Spirit, been convicted of their sin and yet rejected it all.  Their hearts are hardened and calloused to the Word of Truth.  For these people, there is no hope because they have rejected the only possible hope- Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.