An apostasy is an intentional falling away or defection. Those who draw near to YHWH who hear and understand what it means to follow Him but then reject His truth, which they have been gifted, to then turn away are called, “apostates.”
“For in the case of those once having been enlightened and having tasted of the heavenly gift and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and having tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and having fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6 LSB
Did you catch that? “It is impossible to renew them again to repentance.”
Once you come to the knowledge of the truth, which is a gift from YHWH, and you fall away and go back to your old, sinful life then there is no coming back. You forfeit His covenant and His wrath is upon you.
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.
Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy by the mouth of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as defiled the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31 LSB
Willful sinning of such a person does not sin because of ignorance but is one who has established a way of thinking or acting in which he has no desire to give up. A true apostate will continue to sin, deliberately and willingly. It is those who have received knowledge but lack true faith.
Judas Iscariot is a perfect example who had exposure to the love and grace of YHWH and yet, he not only turned away but was pursuant in the plot to kill Messiah.
In the end, the consequences for apostates will be severe, in which a fierce fire will consume them.
“¶I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law.” Psalms 119:113 [Double-minded: division of heart and mind.]
In order to stay on the narrow path, we need to be steadfast and stable-minded and not sway from YHWH’s Laws and Commandments. We cannot have one foot in the world and another with YHWH. He wants all of your heart.
“You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is a lie.” Psalms 119:118 LSB
YHWH will not accept anyone to enter His presence that is not willing to walk in holiness and follow His commandments. You cannot outsmart YHWH. He sees everything. He knows all. He said even your prayers are an abomination (Proverbs 28:9).
Having turned his back on the truth, with full knowledge, choosing to commit lawlessness rather than righteousness, the apostate is then beyond salvation because he has rejected the One true sacrifice for sins; our Master Yahshua Messiah. If Messiah’s sacrifice is rejected then all hope of salvation is gone. Only sin is left, the penalty for which is eternal condemnation.
If our ultimate goal is to be like Messiah and see Him when He returns, our daily pursuit must be toward complete purity of thought and lifestyle.
Paul told Timothy, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 ESV.
Of the future, glorious New Jerusalem, the Apostle John said, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)
If you are someone who claims to be a believer and follower of Messiah Yahshua but have fallen away from the truth and are not keeping the Commandments of YHWH then you may very well be an apostate proving that you never had genuine faith to begin with (1 John 2:19).
“Pursue peace with all, and pursue apartness without which no one shall see the Master. See to it that no one falls short of the favour of Elohim, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, by which many become defiled, lest there be anyone who whores, or profane one, like Ěsaw, who for a single meal sold his birthright.
For you know that afterward, when he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.” Hebrews 12:14-17 TS2009
The true apostate will continue to willfully sin and John tells us that, “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9
Brothers and sisters, let us not only be hearers of His Word but also doers of His Word, persevering and standing firm until the very end and so be saved.
~Shalom.
