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parallel before proceeding. In Heb. 6: 6 there occurs that strong expression, "having
crucified again the Son of God, and are exposing Him to shame", and again in 10: 29,
"having trampled on the Son of God, and having esteemed the blood of the covenant a
common thing". So in Phil. 3: we have "Many walk as the enemies of the cross of
Christ".
Returning for a moment to Num. 14:, we must remember that although that great
multitude perished in the wilderness, they were a pardoned people. Moses had prayed:
"Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people, . . . . . and the Lord said, I have
pardoned" (verses 19, 20).
Yet it was not possible to renew again unto repentance that people, pardoned though
they were. If this had been remembered when dealing with Heb. 6: many would have
been spared the awful error that some have taught from this chapter, namely, the
possibility of a child of God losing his salvation. This epistle, as we have said again and
again, and this chapter particularly, deals with things that accompany salvation, things
that belong to the perfect and the overcomer. These things may be lost or forfeited, but
salvation is by grace, and works or reward have no place in it.
"If God permit" therefore reveals that sometimes God may not permit. To attempt to
ascend the mountain and enter the land of Canaan without the assurance of His presence
was madness and destined to fail. Our first and greatest concern must be to walk with
Him. If for any failure on our part the permission to go on unto perfection should be
withdrawn, let us humbly bow to the will of God, and in lowliness of mind seek the
presence of the Lord. While we feel the crown and the prize will but add to His glory,
and therefore we should run with patience the race set before us, the prize is valueless,
the crown a bauble if it does not glorify Him.
#34.
The Special Character of the Falling Away (6: 4-6).
pp. 152 - 155
It is impossible to be too keenly sensitive to the serious nature of the failure dealt with
in this chapter. To be "dull of hearing", to remain "a babe", to be satisfied with the
"milk" of the word, and to make no advance may seem bad but not serious. The inspired
apostle takes another view. To remain a babe is really to go back, and this may be the
beginning of apostacy. Let us see how the Scriptures speak of those who failed to go on
unto perfection.
"It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance if they should fall away,
having crucified again to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame"
(Heb. 6: 6).
"If we should voluntarily sin after having received the full knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins . . . . . having trampled under foot the Son of
God" (Heb. 10: 26-29).