At some point in their lives, virtually everyone has wondered whether they can be forgiven for what they've done. The good news is, they can!
But sometimes the doubts linger, particularly for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and particularly in connection with certain passages in the Bible, such as some in the book of Hebrews that deal with the subject of apostasy -- the complete rejection of the Christian faith.
Passages like these:
Hebrews 6:4-6
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.
Hebrews 10:26
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.
Can an apostate be forgiven? If you've knowingly and deliberately rejected Christ, will he take you back? And what is the real meaning of those passages in Hebrews?
In this episode I respond to a gentleman who is struggling with these very issues.
I demonstrate that the Hebrews passages do not mean what the gentleman fears and reveal, instead, the infinite mercy of God.
The good news is: No matter what you've done, if you are willing to come back to God, God is eager to take you back. He loves you, and your sins are not greater than his love.
I'm also preparing a special mailing for the Secret Information Club where I "interview" Blessed John Paul II on heaven.
If you'd like to read what John Paul II says about heaven and how we can get there by God's mercy, you should sign up for the Secret Information Club by Friday, June 8th, and you'll have it in your email inbox Saturday morning.
You should sign up at www.SecretInfoClub.com (and if you have any trouble, just email me at jimmy@secretinfoclub.com):
Now here's the show! Just click "Play" to listen!
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I am one of those who fell away and even entertained an atheist worldview but I know from my life since I have returned to Christ that he has forgiven me and that he has truly poured blessings upon me. But I’m not sure, I can’t see where you deal with the ‘scruples’ of someone falling away from God and then, when longing to return, comes across the two quotations from scripture. ?
It’s in the podcast. Just click the “Play” (arrow) icon to listen to it.
Thanks; everything becomes clearer in the podcast. I didn’t realise that there WAS a podcast.
Context, of course, is everything. Though the promise that brought me back without an attack of scruples was Jesus’ Parable of The Prodigal Son. Your exegesis of Hebrews is welcome - and I do agree with you that taking a paragraph or a couple of lines for one’s Bible reading is a dangerous habit.
Those with scruples should, perhaps ask the intercession of St Therese Liseux.
I fell away from the faith years ago and it took three medical miracles to bring me back to the back to the Church.
I used to work for a pornographic company and was later addicted to pornography. I have anger management issues that I cannot control. I don’t forgive people who wrong me and I was not a very nice person to live with and it affects my relationship with my wife and my children. When I came back to the faith, I went to confession and ask God for help. I ask Jesus and the Holy Mother to give me wisdom, especially the wisdom to know God and to learn how to live my life according to his will.
I should have known that God will never refuse that kind of request. The next day, several thoughts keep appearing in my head. When I reflect on these thoughts, I realize that it was a message from God and by following these thoughts, I was able to get rid of my addiction to pornography, control my anger and I was able to learn to forgive and pray for those who have wrong me. I was also able to practice what I later learn, was a form of mental prayer which have granted me peace and tranquility even as my job responsibilities and salary has increase.
My wife and children was shocked at my sudden change and our relationship has never been better. It was like being married again to your best friend. Based on my personal experience, I have learned that God do forgive us, if our repentance is sincere and we give our best in obeying his will. The key to forgiveness is not to be a hypocrite. Forgive all who have sins against us, just as we have sin against God.
I have just listened to your teaching on coming back to Christ. There was a time when I was so eager to go to mass, knowing that He would be there waiting for me and that I could not live without Him. My problem now has been the guilt of not attending mass. I was taught it is a mortal sin, but I find myself falling further away from the mass. The churches don’t really teach on the gospels and real life, but read from a prescript-ed paper with nothing behind it. No feeling or substance. I get more out of the fliers that come in the mail. It is depressing me and leaving me with no place to be taught. I find myself needing the milk again and I’m 70 years old. I truly want to find that old feeling of joy that came when I did attend church regularly. Did God truly say it is a mortal sin to miss mass, or is that just a church magisterial thing? eagerly await your teaching on this. Thank you and may God continue to bless the your work.
Peggy.
Why don’t you just choose a church you feel comfortable with and go to Confession and explain the whole thing to your confessor. I’m sure you will get a warm welcome back.
Kim, I have tried all three churches in my area. The only one that did impress me is to far away to attend on a regular basis. I try to go to this one on special holidays. But being on a fixed income and all. Not trying to make excusses. It just is what it is. Isn’t it sad that there are so few churches around these days who really care. I know how busy the priest are with everything, but isn’t their first priority saving souls? Non of the churches in my area even had confessions on the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday. Really??? And just try to find time with a priest who will actually listen. I wasn’t even able to find a priest to come to the hospital when my husband was dying. Try to explain that to your children! Sorry…just venting.
Don’t apologise for venting. Being on a pension I fully understand your situation. I have to put aside cab fare to get me to and from mass. I don’t know what to suggest if Confession is completely unavailable to you except to accept God’s mercy is always present and, according to your conscience, either make a spiritual communion which WILL bear fruit and try to see a priest as soon as you can or receive in your own good conscience always being ready for confession if and when you find a Church where Confession is available. I firmly believe in a loving God who ‘leads all souls to heaven, especially those in need of His mercy. I shall pray for you Peggy.
Thank you for this helpful podcast. I have a quick question. Why is it that most translations translate Heb. 10:26 as “deliberate sin?” It seems that F.F. Bruce and Hughes think that “keep on sinning” is not an accurate translation. They seem to think that this “deliberate sin” is analogous to the sin in Numbers which refers to any deliberate sin at all, sinning with a “high hand.” Is it obvious in the Greek that the verb is a continuous action or can it also mean just a single sin? Thanks again.
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