Hebrews

Apostasy: Its Severity and Its Ways

Introduction

Romans is the epistle of grace and faith, Galatians of Christian liberty, Ephesians of spiritual blessings in Christ, Colossians of the supremacy of Christ - but Hebrews is the book of steadfastness. In this epistle we have apostasy described, and the means declared of avoiding it. This lesson views those two points.

Body

I. THE SEVERITY OF APOSTASY FROM CHRIST.

   A. It prevents further repentance and restoration to Christ (6:4-6; 12:16-17).

        1. These texts speak of apostasy, not a sin of ignorance or weakness such as beset every Christian.

        2. Such apostasy is an act of the will - choosing to neglect, renounce or ignore Christ and His way of life.

        3. There is no room for repentance (changing the mind so as to change the life), for the will is set in the opposite direction.

        4. To turn from God's blessings prevents those same blessings being cause for diligence or motives for repentance. The Christian has enjoyed in Christ all that God has to offer (though he grows in the experiencing of these blessings according to his own capacity and development,). To turn from these blessings is to put an end to God's appeal which they contain.

        5. One who can be sorry for sin and turn to Christ with a pure heart is not an apostate, for his will is still set On pleasing God. The basic and primary sense of "apostasy" is a conscious choosing to reject the salvation and lordship of Jesus.

   B. It is to become as unfruitful ground (6:7-8).

        1. God's blessings are freely offered.

        2. An insensitive response to such blessings calls for rejection.

   C. It is worse than Old Testament apostasy.

        1. It rejects a greater spokesman (2:1-4).

        2. It disregards a higher cost (10:26-31).

        3. It ignores more exalted circumstances (12:18-29).

II. THE WAY OF "OSTASY FROM CHRIST.

   A. With reference to Scripture - neglect (2:1-4).

        1. This word of salvation was spoken by the Lord, confirmed by those who heard Him and attested to by divine signs from God.

        2. How fearful to drift away from such a message through neglect.

        3. Punishment for such neglect is certain, as seen by Old Testament examples.

   B. With reference to the Savior - distrust (3:12).

        1. Unbelief is essentially distrust or lack of confidence (Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95:8-11).

        2. The Hebrews were in danger of distrusting the salvation wrought by the Son, in favor of a self-centered confidence in the Jewish religion.

        3. The same basic faithlessness results in sin and apostasy today.

            a. By frustration, hopelessness and despair when one is weak and sinful (and fails to trust the perfect lifeblood offering of Christ for sin).

            b. By overconfidence, pride and self-righteousness when one pleases God in some point (and fails to realize that his salvation is not given for his perfect performance but that of the Son of God in whom he trusts).

   C. With reference to Sin - deceit (3:13).

        1. Sin is grounded in deceit and false impressions of reality.

        2. Christians should an be involved in withstanding and combating such deceit

        3. This is a daily occupation, for sin is constantly present to deceive.

   D. With reference to Self-slothfulness (6:12).

        1. Steadfastness is necessary along with faith.

        2. To do nothing is to do the will of Satan and to reject Christ

Conclusion

Apostasy from Christ is a dreadful fate, and Christians are to be aware of the possibility. Yet it is not necessary and may be avoided through attention to Scripture, trust in the work of Christ for sin, an awareness of Satan's devices and deceits in temptation, and diligence in one's own work for Christ.

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