THE ENLIGHTENED continued
“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.” (Heb 6:4-6)
Now someone may query as to just how much enlightenment or knowledge of the word of God is being referred to here, are there not different levels of understanding, i.e. babes, young adults, and those of more mature years?
Most certainly, the clue however is given in the opening text, “those who were ONCE enlighten” this statement is “pass tense” and implies that the individual had previously been brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth, that is they had clearly seen God’s grace as represented in his Word and plan, and had advanced beyond the elementary principles of Christ, the “milk of the word” and had partaken of the “meat of the word” and the only ones capable of this type of understanding would be those who have been spirit begotten, thus possessing spiritual enlightenment.
Now naturally even babes in Christ are spirit begotten, and possess a measure of enlightenment, but it requires time and study, growth both in the graces and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ in order to become of “full age”, a mature Christian.
Remember when you become a Christian you enter into the “School of Christ” you are a student (a disciple), one does not become fully enlighten the first day of their attendance, growth in the graces and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus is a lifetime course.
Now it’s true that some advance quicker than others because their love for the Lord and the Truth is greater than others, and like the Bereans of old are “Seekers” and “Provers” of the Word, “Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you”, these understand that the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Many however prefer to rely upon the knowledge of others, viz. friends, family, and etc., but generally it’s their Minister, thus their growth is slowed being limited to the knowledge of these individuals (who may or may not be spirit begotten themselves). So in truth their faith is not truly their own, but based upon some other man’s (or women’s) interpretation of the Scriptures.
Remember we are admonished that WE “prove all things”, that WE “study to show ourselves approved”, the point being is that YOU study (for yourself), that YOU prove all things (for yourself), that YOU be established in the truth, that your faith be grounded and established not upon the opinions and thoughts of others, but upon the Word of God. It is not wise to have a zeal (a love for the Lord), which is solely based upon the understanding or knowledge of others rather it is important that you develop your own faith, based on those things which you have proven for yourself through the word of the Lord.
This does not mean you should attempt to self-interpret the word for yourself, the Lord has provided many helps and assistance's to his people, just make sure that before you accept anything that your “try the spirits” to see whether they speak for themselves or for the Lord.
Another clue as to what amount of enlightenment is necessary is found in the preceding Chapter, Chapter 5, specifically Verses 12-14 (Read it carefully)
“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breast?” (Isa 28:9)
We will continue with this in our next post.
“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.” (Heb 6:4-6)
Now someone may query as to just how much enlightenment or knowledge of the word of God is being referred to here, are there not different levels of understanding, i.e. babes, young adults, and those of more mature years?
Most certainly, the clue however is given in the opening text, “those who were ONCE enlighten” this statement is “pass tense” and implies that the individual had previously been brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth, that is they had clearly seen God’s grace as represented in his Word and plan, and had advanced beyond the elementary principles of Christ, the “milk of the word” and had partaken of the “meat of the word” and the only ones capable of this type of understanding would be those who have been spirit begotten, thus possessing spiritual enlightenment.
Now naturally even babes in Christ are spirit begotten, and possess a measure of enlightenment, but it requires time and study, growth both in the graces and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ in order to become of “full age”, a mature Christian.
Remember when you become a Christian you enter into the “School of Christ” you are a student (a disciple), one does not become fully enlighten the first day of their attendance, growth in the graces and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus is a lifetime course.
Now it’s true that some advance quicker than others because their love for the Lord and the Truth is greater than others, and like the Bereans of old are “Seekers” and “Provers” of the Word, “Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you”, these understand that the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Many however prefer to rely upon the knowledge of others, viz. friends, family, and etc., but generally it’s their Minister, thus their growth is slowed being limited to the knowledge of these individuals (who may or may not be spirit begotten themselves). So in truth their faith is not truly their own, but based upon some other man’s (or women’s) interpretation of the Scriptures.
Remember we are admonished that WE “prove all things”, that WE “study to show ourselves approved”, the point being is that YOU study (for yourself), that YOU prove all things (for yourself), that YOU be established in the truth, that your faith be grounded and established not upon the opinions and thoughts of others, but upon the Word of God. It is not wise to have a zeal (a love for the Lord), which is solely based upon the understanding or knowledge of others rather it is important that you develop your own faith, based on those things which you have proven for yourself through the word of the Lord.
This does not mean you should attempt to self-interpret the word for yourself, the Lord has provided many helps and assistance's to his people, just make sure that before you accept anything that your “try the spirits” to see whether they speak for themselves or for the Lord.
Another clue as to what amount of enlightenment is necessary is found in the preceding Chapter, Chapter 5, specifically Verses 12-14 (Read it carefully)
“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breast?” (Isa 28:9)
We will continue with this in our next post.
