Is Apostasy a Real Thing?

There is one section of Scripture that has continually fascinated, frightened and puzzled me over the years, but now, I believe, I'm starting to get a grip on its teaching.  The passage in question is Hebrews 6:4-6:

                        "For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt."

 First, we should take the Scripture for what it says and not try to explain what was "actually meant".  It seems pretty clear to me.  I don't buy into the interpretation that "tasted" and "enlightened" mean "almost tasted" or "almost enlightened".  This is someone who was/is on the inside.

Next let's look at some verses related to the concept of eternal security.  John 10:28-30 says:

^28" I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.^{[c] 30} The Father and I are one.”

I believe this to be true.  The fact is no one outside of myself can separate me from the Father's love....no person, demon, angel or the devil himself.  The difference, and this was the breakthrough for me is that the Lord has given us free will.  Thus, if a person comes to a point in their life that they no longer believe God for Who He is and what He says, they have the ability to turn their back on the Lord and walk away.  If they do, sadly, they may not and cannot return again.  I am not talking about the Christian who continually falls to sin and confesses that sin.  God will forgive a believer a million times if they sincerely go to Him and repent.

God's Still Working on Me

God continues to amaze me as I see Him lead me in ways I can never imagine.  How could I have ever know that returning to the church of my childhood and family would make it possible for me to be offered an employment opportunity that would save me from a very difficult and increasingly miserable situation.  How could my new employer know about my situation?  The Lord must have been working in the background.  I go into this new opportunity with some trepidation as much of what I will deal with will be new to me, but I believe my years of experience in this area of business has prepared me as well.  It appears I will have the opportunity to work with former fellow workers and old friends.  This part I am looking forward to with great anticipation.  I will get to work more realistic hours, attend church on Wednesday evenings, eat dinner at a reasonable time and not spend so much time travelling to the job and back.  The situation should be so much better than what I've experienced the past eight months.  I know it won't be easy and there will be difficult times, but I look forward to my new job with excitement and interest.  Once again I get to learn new things and grow.  This is great for a guy who will turn, Lord willing, 65 years old later this year.  To God be the glory...great things He has done!