The warnings against apostasy in Hebrews 6:1-8 are so dreadful, and they are intended to be so, in order to stir backsliders into repentance. However, some with more sensitive consciences might think that they have strayed too far from the Lord and that He would not accept their repentance. They might think that God could not love them any more because of their behaviour; that they are condemned and past the reach of God's grace. Spiritually wise warnings, given through the Holy Spirit's inspiration, can also be manipulated by Satan to disturb the faith of immature believers (2 Corinthians 2:11). The devil is the original 'accuser' of all who trust Jesus (Revelation 12:10).

So the writer shows his confidence in God's grace, which is at work in their hearts, however immature they may be. The writer and his team have considered that their intended readers are saved and that they are 'working out their salvation with fear and trembling' (Philippians 2:12). The evidence of their faith had been seen in their acts of kindness and sacrificial service. The church had grown because the love of Jesus had been expressed as these believers served each other, and that must continue (Hebrews 10:24)

So it was as important to encourage the believers as to give them a stern warning. Both are essential (Titus 2:15) in healthy spiritual discipleship. In the same way that a parent should teach, correct, rebuke and encourage (2 Timothy 4:2), pastoral leadership is defective if it fails to deliver all these – because those functions are embedded in the purpose of Scripture. All warning and no encouragement will be crushing; but all encouragement and no warning will be profoundly dangerous.

Discipling others and being discipled is not easy. Some live under harsh discipline and they live in fear: that is not good. However, the default position for many pastors is to let believers do whatever they want, while praying that they will believe the truth and live righteous lives. But that is a delusion. Unless the church is taught what is wrong and how to avoid it, they will never know. All kinds of error will arise, but no amount of encouragement of people on the wrong path will get them on the right path. The right way forward is demonstrated brilliantly in this chapter: warnings against the cataclysmic dangers of apostasy (Hebrews 6:1-8), are held in tension with the warm personal recognition of the work of God's grace already bearing fruit in their lives (Hebrews 6:9-12). So, do not let yourself be crushed by Satan's accusations, but equally do not venture one step along the road away from Jesus. Hold those truths in tension; share that dilemma with a believing friend, and then encourage each other to grow in Christ.