What a warning to church attendees and those raised in Christian homes. Judas – disciple of the Master, Felix – private hearer of Paul’s preaching, liberated Israelites – recipients of Moses’ ministry, were not inclined to trust in the Lord God and so are now eternally separated from Him, in a place where all who die in sin are dwelling forever.
Nothing more important can be gleaned from these examples than that the heart must be dealt with, our sins atoned for, our innermost parts permeated with the love of God. There is no safety in being called a Christian, being a connoisseur of sermons or sitting under some great preacher, for Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Heb 4:13). Better to simply surrender self to Him now than risk an eternity away from the loving heavenly Father of souls, who delights in transforming sinners into saints through unmerited grace.
May it not be the case with any of us that we … shall fall away … and as it were … crucify … the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame (Heb 6:6). What worse thing could there be than to deny or shut out the very gospel that can save. If feeling low or to some extent backslidden, may the Holy Spirit remind one that … God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister (v. 10). We do not have to wipe the slate clean and start all over again, but return penitently to the One … who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Co 1:30). Praised be His name.
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