Several months ago I posted a Facebook status that sparked controversy and some surprising responses in the comment section. I said, "God is still married to the backslider. It doesn't matter what you've done. He's right behind you waiting for you to turn into His arms," which is based on Jeremiah 3:14-15, which says, "'Return, O backsliding children,' says the Lord; 'for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.'" I knew some would disagree with my use of the verse, but there were a couple comments that stood out to me, from believers wanting to know more on the subject. A commenter asked, "I love this post, but what are your thoughts on Hebrews 6:4 in light of it?" Not wanting to reply hastily, I dove into a deep study of the verse, where I swam for the course of a few months until I was able to withdraw the treasure I sought, giving biblical backing to my initial thoughts toward it. Before we continue, let’s dive into Scripture together.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. 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.
“For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.””
Hebrews 6:1-8
In a nutshell, this verse is speaking of a matter of the will of the individual who has experienced God's redemption, restoration and goodness. This person has encountered God's deliverance; not only from sin, but also from the results of it, and having been healed of childhood trauma, and has been made free, living apart from the life they once knew, to living the abundant life Christ died to give. To return to their own vomit, they are telling God that Jesus isn't enough to fulfill them, that they would rather wallow in their vomit than to thrive with Christ in the heavenlies, having dominion and setting the captives free. They willingly walked away from the truth of the Gospel to live an apostate lifestyle of sin.
Backsliding and willingly sliding backward are two different scenarios. Every child who learns how to walk falls down continually until their practice perfects their ability. As they move their legs, they grow stronger and more stable. The same is true for the believer. Backsliding is falling down, realizing your error and standing back up. Sometimes this is private, and sometimes it takes a good support community and accountability, but eventually the Christian finds their breakthrough and breaks out of their cycle. An apostate, however, is convinced by their own desires that they can dance in the mud and not get dirty.
However, they are deceived by their own lusts; for it is written in Hebrews 10: 26-29:
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"