The writer is now leaving the discussion of the Basic Principles of Christ so we can go on to "perfection" or in other words, maturity.  When we mature in Christ, we have no need to lay the foundation again for our repentance from works that are dead or from works we do that are evil, or in direct opposition to the principles of Christ. Those principles the writer says also includes: doctor of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  The writer goes on then to describe certain people this way:  1-once enlightened; 2-experienced the good things of heaven; 3-shared in the Holy Spirit; 4-tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come.  

Verse 4-6 says it is impossible for those that have tasted all of these things who have walked with Christ and then turned away only to reject Him to return once again to Him. What does that mean exactly?  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, right? None of us are perfect so how could it be possible then for it to IMpossible to be able to return to Christ after rejection?  

I believe there is a big difference between straying for a moment, doing something that we know violates the word and not walking as closely with Jesus as maybe we once were or not praying as often as we were, and completely rejecting Jesus.  A complete and total rejection would include completely turning our back and literally walking the other way saying that you don't know who He is.  Total rejection of Him and saying that one no longer believes He is the Son of the Living God is how we can fall away.  The writer of Hebrews is saying here that those have no chance at redemption in the future because they once again nail Jesus to the Cross for a second death.  However, He died once.  He died for all.  He rose again.  He will not die again.  Falling away is not the same as being a "backslider."  1 John says this:

There is some controversy over the scriptures in Hebrews 6 and these in 1 John.  Many people say they contradict each other.  We know the Word doesn't contradict itself, so there must be a difference between the two. 1 John is very clear above.  If our mouths say one thing and our actions say another, then we are hypocrites and there can be no light within us, because God is light and in Him no darkness exists.  He fills us with His Holy Spirit; therefore, there can be no darkness within us when we are walking in the Spirit, in the light, just as He is the light.  This is where true fellowship with our brethren comes in and we have forgiveness for sins because the blood of the Son has made us clean upon our repentance.  The difference in Hebrews 6 is that chapter is talking about people that have returned to old ways, in this case, Judaism for the Jews.  Instead of following the teachings of Christ, they were warned of the dangers of returning to the old ways, old gods, and old law instead of continuing on the path of establishing a relationship with Christ and following His teachings and principles.  Paul said he had endured, fought the good fight, and run a good race, remember? (2 Timothy 4:7)

Have you heard the phrase "fake it till you make it"?  We like that phrase in our churches, don't we?  Our business world likes to use it, too.  But look at what the writer is saying here.  "...Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end."  Don't give up.  Be diligent in the things of God.  Be diligent in the basic principles of Christ so that He can change and perfect you from glory to glory.  Imitate those through faith and patience that have inherited the promises.  We just finished the study of the book of Joshua and the Children of Israel's fight to take the promised land.  Yes, it was theirs.  God had given it to them, but they had to reach out and take it.  They did so by being obedient and following the instructions of the Father.  They messed up once or twice, but God forgave and brought them victory --- except for those that had rejected Him and His ways...they died in the wilderness without seeing the promised Land. 

Hebrews 6:13-15  For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,  (14)  saying, "SURELY BLESSING I WILL BLESS YOU, AND MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY YOU."  (15)  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

God made Abraham the promise of heirs that numbered the stars in the sky.  Yet, Abraham had no children.  His wife was past child bearing age.  Yet, He followed the I Am and he patiently endured the time of barrenness until God gave them the promise, Isaac.  

I know I can sometimes feel like I am spinning my wheels and getting nowhere.  Do you ever feel like that?  Yet, all I can do is what I know to do...or imitate those of faith that have gone before me that obtained their promises.  Imitation of those of faith doesn't mean that we are going through the motions with the expectation of receiving something. Imitation in this context is "follower."  Be a follower of what God has said to do.  Do it in obedience, with a contrite heart that is seeking His face and His will.  Don't fall away and reject Him because He didn't "work it out" on your timetable.  His time is perfect.

Jesus Christ has gone before us.  The hope we have is an anchor for our soul that keeps us anchored in the basic principles of Christ, in the things to come, and in the promises of God.  This anchor we have should prevent us from rejecting Christ.  We have a firm foundation and belief of His goodness and saving mercy and grace that we can hold fast to when it seems that He has abandoned or forsaken us.  We know He doesn't.  We know it us that turns away.  Keep your eyes focused on the King of Kings and remember He walks with you.