Wrestling with the Tension of Free Will and God’s Will:

This week, I’ve been grappling with the question: “Is it Possible to Fall Away from God’s Grace?“

My curiosity kicked off after reading through Hebrews 6 and placing myself in the First Century Hebrew Church. How would I have understood the letter at the time? What assumptions would I have made without having the entirety of Scripture?

The immediate response for most of us is “Well, looking at other epistles…” Which I would automatically jump to as well. And yet, what if we didn’t have them all? What if we only had the Old Testament writings, a couple of Gospel accounts, and the Hebrew letter? What then?

Thanks for your engagement!

The responses and feedback I received were invaluable, sparking great conversations in the comment streams on this site and social. Big thanks to those who chimed in!

So now, in further contemplation, I’m wrestling with the connection between God’s sovereignty and the concept of falling away. However, to grasp this connection more fully, I feel like I need to break my initial thought process.

What if I stepped away from Hebrews 6 and ventured into Paul’s Ephesian Letter? In Chapter 1, Paul emphasizes the divine orchestration of our lives, stating this important truth:

“11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV)

How does this align with the ideas presented in Hebrews 6?

For me, the juxtaposition of these passages raises a question about the interplay between God’s sovereignty and our ability to fall away. Admittedly, understanding the theological implications can be challenging. And yet, I want to know, how does all this fit together?

As I grappled with these questions, I was brought to the insights of A.W. Tozer, found in his great work, “The Pursuit of God”:

“We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. “No man can come to me,” said our Lord, “except the Father which hath sent me draw him,” and it is by this very prevenient drawing that God takes from us every vestige of credit for the act of coming. The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after Him; and all the time we are pursuing Him we are already in His hand: “Thy right hand upholdeth me.”

A.W. Tozer, “The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine“, 1947

Let’s return to the question of how this aligns with Hebrews 6.

I often find myself contemplating the mysteries of God’s will, but this one has really led me down a deep rabbit hole!

Is there a harmony between God’s sovereign plan and our freedom of choice? Tozer’s words are encouraging and theologically rich, and they affirm my reformed-leaning position. And yet, I’m still left without a definite answer.

As I continue to search and ponder, I appreciate your feedback as always. And I remain ever-assured that, whether by God’s sovereign will or my own choice to follow, I am experiencing the peace, joy and freedom, of being in Christ. I am so thankful that I am His!

Join the Conversation, Share Your Thoughts:

• How do you perceive the connection between God’s sovereignty and the possibility of falling away?
• How do you reconcile the teachings of Hebrews 6 and Ephesians 1? Where’s the connection?
• How do your own personal experiences and theological beliefs impact your position?