These verses are some of the most hotly debated in the Bible. So who is this passage referring to? It is born-again believers who are backslidden. You do realise that Christians can be backslidden? David was backslidden on a number of occasions and he paid a heavy price for this. It can be hard to tell the difference between a backslider and someone who is not saved. God knows who is saved and who is not. It is not our responsibility to judge it. There are three characteristics of a backslidden believer.

1 – They have abused their privileges (vs. 4-5)

There are five privileges that have been abused.

• Enlightenment (vs. 4) – The Holy Spirit has turned on the light in our lives. The backslider ignores what the Holy Spirit is showing in their life. See 2 Corinthians 4:4-5. We are to walk with the light turned on. Satan wants to turn the light off.
• Entitlement (vs. 4) – Salvation is a wonderful gift. A backslidden believer pays no attention to this gift. See John 3:36. They walk away from salvation.
• Empowerment (vs. 4) – “partakers of the Holy Spirit”. There is a partnership with the Holy Spirit. He is making us like Jesus Christ. It takes two parties for a partnership to work. The backslider says “No” to the Holy Spirit. They use their empowerment.
• Encouragement (vs. 5) -“tasted the good word of God”. The Word of God becomes a part of your life when you follow God. A backslider has turned their back on the Word of God. You can eat this and you won’t get fat or sick! It tastes good. It is God’s Word and it is good. It is the standard to determine if something is from God or not.
• Enjoyment (vs. 5) – When you get saved you get the chance to experience heaven on earth. We have God’s blessings in our hearts.

The backslider wants to live their life their own way. They have abused their privileges.

2 – They have abandoned their provider (vs. 6)

The people who abuse their privileges and fall away cannot be renewed to repentance. A backslider is not just someone who sins. The Christian who is not backslidden will fall along the road but will ask God for forgiveness. The backslider will not repent of their sin. You cannot convince them of their sin. It is a dangerous thing to be a Christian and be backslidden.

• The struggle to affirm reality. They will slay their provider (vs. 6) – They line up with those who crucified Jesus on the cross.
• They will shame their provider (vs. 6) – They sham Jesus like those who mocked Jesus upon the cross. They are a shame to the name of Jesus Christ. They are Christians who are living a life of sin. It can be seen by the things they do and the things they say. The normal Christian will repent. The backslider openly shames God.

3 – They have aborted their purpose (vs. 7-8)

• We were designed to be a blessing (vs. 7) – We are to let God bless our lives and not abort our purpose.
• They have declined into a burden (vs. 8) – Instead of producing good fruit they produce weeds which are only fit to be burned. The works you do as a backslider will be burned up.

The backslider is a disgrace to grace. Is there things in your life that you need to confess and get right with God? Are you walking for God or have you fallen on the road? It is by their fruits you shall know them.

4 – God still loves the backslider (vs. 9)

God still loves the backslider and has something better for him or her. It is love that will make you want to do better. God’s love is an everlasting love that will never, ever die.

Categories: Hebrews