LORD’S DAY, MARCH 12
Hebrews 6:4-12
Luke 8:13

"… for a while believe,
and in time of temptation fall away."

ONCE PARTAKERS

Hebrews 6:4 described some as "partakers of the Holy Ghost". The term "partake" means "to share in something," often with others, hence "partaker" would mean "to be a partner, a companion." However, it does not mean that they were regenerated people. They may have extraordinary and miraculous gifts; they may have cast out devils in the name of Christ, and done many other mighty works. Such gifts in the apostolic age were sometimes bestowed upon those who had no true saving grace, such as Judas.

They have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come. They may have some relish of gospel doctrines, hear the Word with pleasure, remember much of it, and talk well of it, and yet never be cast into the form and mould of it, nor have it dwelling richly in them.

Falling away signifies a deliberate, complete and final repudiation of Christ. It is a sin without forgiveness. It must be understood that it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, a condition beyond hope of recovery. Apostasy will be punished with everlasting burnings of the fire that shall never be quenched. This is the sad end to which apostasy leads, and therefore Christians must grow in grace. If they do not go forward but go backward, the woeful extremity of misery awaits them.

Jesus describes that seeds which fell upon a rock: "are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13). Do not fall away! Do not just be a partaker of Christianity. Be a part of God’s family!

THOUGHT: Am I only a partaker? Or am I truly part of God’s Kingdom?
PRAYER: "Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert" (Ps 106:12-14).