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Dear bro. Turner:
 Please
discuss the sin for which man can not repent (Heb. 6:4-6). Is
this the “sin unto death” (1 Jn. 5:1 6)? Is it the sin
against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31-32)? M.I.
Reply:
I
truly feel inadequate in the face of such questions but will do
what I can. They do seem to fit into a like category, as l
believe none refer to a single act or particular sin but to a
state or condition to which those who were once saints may come.
From such a state, of deliberate, rebellious rejection of
Christ, they can not be “renewed unto repentance” because
they deny the only legitimate means you have to offer. Their “freewill”
is operative, but it chooses to deny the Lord.
The
Hebrew letter contains three like passages. Heb. 6:4-9 is part
of an exhortation to saints who are not growing (5:11-14). He
urges them to do better, then gives this drastic warning of what
could happen if they continue to drift away from Christ. “Crucify
afresh” had a special meaning to Jews, for their people had
rejected their Messiah and been responsible for His literal
crucifixion. This was done “in ignorance” (Acts 3:17); but
these saints “were enlightened” — there was nothing to
offer them they did not already have.
Heb.
10:26-29 continues the warning with special attention to
sacrifice. In times past the Hebrews had sinned, then offered an
animal sacrifice; they sinned again, and offered another
sacrifice; etc., etc. But now the final
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and only true sacrifice had
been offered, and if they go back to Judaism (rejecting Christ)
“there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” the “willful
sin” here is not some single or particular act, but complete
rejection of Christ by those who had “knowledge of the truth.”
It should be emphasized that recognition of Christ’s historic
existence is not enough — He is rejected when we no longer
seek forgiveness through Him.
Heb.
12:15-17 is the third drastic warning, and the more difficult.
The A.S. version says Esau found no place for “a change of
mind in his father” — the later words supplied. This could
be the meaning, but I am inclined to associate this with the
above passages and say he had exhausted all legitimate means
of obtaining the birthright — he had passed the point of
no return. He did not plead with a hardhearted father, but with
a just one, who dealt with things as they were.
In
Matt. 12: it seems Christ is warning that the coming of the Holy
Spirit would signal the last or final dispensation — when all
had been done to offer redemption unto man. They could make
light of and reject His personal ministry, and yet repent and be
saved. But for those who “blaspheme the Holy Spirit”
(compare “par-takers of the H.S.” who reject Him; or, “done
despite unto the Spirit of grace” —Heb. 6:4, 10:29) “there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” This is the “sin unto
death” — willful rejection of Christ in flesh, who died for
us — and “I do not say that he shall pray for it.” There
is nothing more to offer one who spurns Christ.
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