It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
— Hebrews 6:4-12

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Hold Onto Hope
By Jennifer Kane

My heartland longs to bear good fruit,
once a wilderness, dry and desolate,
thorns rising where wheat should grow—
but I hold onto hope.

I was not forsaken, nor left to waste;
the rain of Jesus has fallen upon me,
grace saturating my soil,
softening the places once hardened by doubt.
I hold onto hope.

More than fleeting blessings,
more than the sun’s brief warmth—
I have salvation, a promise that endures.
And so I keep hoping.

As long as I kneel in repentance,
refusing to let my struggle turn to stone,
I will not shut out the One
who tends this heartland with mercy.

For He is my rain, my root, my renewal—
my Jesus, my hope everlasting.

~~~~~

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-12

Hebrews 6:4-6 is often one of the most sobering passages in the New Testament. It speaks of those who have tasted the goodness of God but have fallen away, making it impossible to renew them to repentance. This can be frightening for believers who struggle with sin and doubt, fearing they may have gone too far. However, the heart of this passage is not condemnation for those who falter but a call to perseverance for those who truly belong to Christ.

The writer of Hebrews acknowledges the reality that some may turn away completely, much like Judas, who walked with Jesus yet chose to betray Him. But the focus here is not on condemning those who have rejected Christ—it is on strengthening and encouraging those who, like Peter, stumble yet still long to follow the Lord.

Peter, despite his denial of Jesus, was restored because his heart remained open to repentance. Unlike Judas, who turned away in despair, Peter wept bitterly and ran back to the Lord. If your heart still longs for Jesus, if you still feel the weight of sin and desire to return, then you have not fallen away beyond hope. The very presence of conviction in your heart is proof that God is still drawing you to Himself.

The passage continues in verses 7-8 with an illustration: the earth that drinks in rain and produces a useful crop receives a blessing, but the land that produces thorns is in danger of destruction. The key difference is not whether the land has received rain, but what it produces in response. As believers, we must continually seek to bear fruit—living out our faith in obedience, love, and perseverance.

Yet, in verse 9, the writer shifts from warning to encouragement: “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation.” This shows that the warning is not meant to instill hopelessness but to spur believers toward faithfulness. If you are struggling, take heart—God is not finished with you.

Are you struggling with sin, or have you truly turned your back on Christ? If you still desire Him, He is still working in you.
Seek to cultivate a heart that responds to God’s word with obedience and love.
If you know someone who is struggling, remind them that God’s grace is greater than their failures.
If Peter could be restored after denying Christ, you too can find renewal and strength in Him.

If you fear that you have fallen too far, remember this: the very fact that you care is evidence that God is still calling you. Run to Him, not away from Him. Hold fast to hope, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

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Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and faithfulness. When I stumble, remind me that Your grace is greater than my failures. Help me to persevere in faith, bearing fruit that brings You glory. Strengthen my heart to trust in You and to encourage others who are struggling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

April 3 2025