For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
Hebrews 6:4–6, ESV
There is no man-made work that a person can do to be restored to Christ. These are what the words of the writer of Hebrews mean. The idea that one can walk away from the faith and do something to bring themselves back into faith is impossible because the work has been done once on the Cross. We know the famous phrase that many like to put out from Hebrews often as a cudgel to act as if their faith is superior to the faith of another, “Faith without works is dead.” It is true that works will come from one that is faithful, but those works do not save another. It is also true that the works that one does in response to faith may not appear the same as another’s. We do not sacrifice our Lord over and over again in our ministrations. What Jesus did on the Cross was once and for all. The thief next to Him did nothing but believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and received paradise. Salvation is not secured by your works but has been secured by the work of Christ. Sadly, many will walk away because they feel that what our Lord asks is too difficult. They don’t want to give up and give all of themselves to God. Our desire for control is too great. We don’t believe that it is that simple. Yes, it is simple, but it is not easy. We do not have to meet our Lord halfway because He has made the entire journey. Belief, however, is difficult. It is, in a sense, giving up yourself for something greater. It is freeing but also uncertain because control is no longer in your hands. For the early Church, it also meant a probable loss in this life for eternity in the next. This is still true today but less evident for many. It is giving up what you see today for that which is greater in eternity.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.