Danger: Watch Out for Falling Away

If you've driven a mountain road, you've seen the danger sign to “watch out for falling rocks.” Perhaps, like me, you question the reason for the warning. You've never SEEN falling rocks. Perhaps, like me, you do not think deeply enough. Just because there are no visible rocks does not make the sign unnecessary. It's a mountain. Mountains are made of rocks. Gravity is always in force. Rocks fall.

Hebrews chapter 6 is a continuation of the last verses of chapter 5. To understand the Bible the wise reader uses context. The last verses of chapter 5 (context) remind us to not neglect reading the Bible. It's solid food. God's Word enables the one who studies it to discern good from evil. This is the context of the first verses of chapter 6..."professing Christians are in danger of falling away.” Remember, the mountain road? Rocks fall from mountains. Likewise, you and I are sinners. Sinners without God's Word are in danger of falling away.

Today’s warning is: Watch Out for Falling Away”

The first word of chapter 6 is "Therefore," connecting the next words with chapter 5. These are the next words: "... let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God..." This passage warns of a danger greater than falling rocks. The danger is falling away from living for Jesus. This can happen when we fail to grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. This growth only happens when we seek to know Him better through reading God's living Word.

Be afraid of not growing in your belief in Jesus. It is eternally dangerous. Because we are sinful by nature, we need a warning sign: Watch Out for Falling Away.” Why is it dangerous? Verses 7-8 of this passage contain a parable which explains the previous verses. The word “drinks” is used to describe what happens to soil when rain falls on it...likewise the one who reads God's Word is drinking the living truth of God...the contrast is land producing "thorns and thistles." What happens to such land? It cursed. It is burned by fire. How do we prevent our falling away from trusting in God alone? Jesus tells us:

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke11.9 "

We grow as we ask and seek..."God permitting."

In closing, the passage from Hebrews 6:1-8: our warning sign: "Danger: Watch for Falling Away."

Hebrews 6:1-8

"1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

3 And this we will do if God permits.

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,

5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned."