“if they fall away…” (Hebrews 6:6).
To hear the smooth words of the proponents of “Once saved, Always saved” tell it, apostasy is “no big deal”. At the very most, they may admit that it is kind of a big deal, but quickly they will reassure you it is “nothing major”.
The Greek word parapito occurs only here in the New Testament. It can be found in the Septuagint—the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, especially in the book of Ezekiel. Its five appearances in this prophetic book (Ezekiel 14:13; 15:8; 18:24; 20:27; 22:4) paints a graphic picture of something which is A BIG DEAL!
Falling away (parapito) is a BIG DEAL, because of its nature. It occurs when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does spiritually abominable things like the wicked do (Ezekiel 18:24). It occurs when God’s children rebel against Him; they do not walk in His statutes, are not careful to observe His judgments, and profane His sacred commandments (Ezekiel 20:21). It occurs when those who belong to the Lord God turn to idolatry (Ezekiel 20:28). To falsely contend that apostasy is “no big deal” is to declare unrighteousness, iniquity, abominations, rebellion, disobedience, sacrilege, and idolatry are insignificant as well. This is a lie.
Falling away (parapito) is a BIG DEAL, because of its punishment. God punished the apostates of Ezekiel’s day with famine and death (Ezekiel 14:13). They were devoured by fire (Ezekiel 15:8) and became a reproach to the Gentiles, a mockery to all the nations (Ezekiel 22:4). To falsely contend that apostasy is “no big deal” is to declare the divine punishments of devastation by fire, shame, reproach, famine and death are trivial as well. This is a lie.
Apostasy is A BIG DEAL!
