READ: Ezekiel 19,20; Psalms 132; Hebrews 6
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 6: Therefore let us move beyond the elementary
teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again
the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death (Or from useless
rituals), and of faith in God,
12 instruction
about cleansing rites (Or about baptisms), the laying on of
hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And
God permitting, we will do so.
OBSERVATION: Children learn progressively, starting from
the easy lessons. As they grow, their lessons will become tougher according to their
age and class. If a child does not grow in its learning, it would be a matter
of concern for its parents. Here the author expresses his concerns about the
Jewish Christians. In Chapter 5:11-14, he rebukes their spiritual immaturity
and lack of interest in understanding truths of God’s word. They should have
been teachers at the time, but they were still at the elementary level of their
spirituality. Therefore, the author calls the believers to grow and become
mature in their Christian living.
In Hebrew 6,
we see a list of six essential doctrines common between Judaism and
Christianity: repentance, faith in God, baptism, laying on of hands, the resurrection
of the dead, and eternal judgment. The Jewish Christians were familiar with
these doctrines. Those common teachings can be a starting point for them to
believe in God. However, if they remain in those common teachings, they would
not grow to maturity. They should move from the law to live under the grace of
God by faith. If they do not move forward, it could cause them to slip back to
where they were before coming to Christ and abandon their faith in Jesus
Christ, fearing persecution. The author of Hebrews says, “let us move…forward
to maturity.” Moving forward and growing in Christ is essential for every
Christian. As someone rightly said, “If you are not moving forward, you are
moving backward.” We cannot say “I have already obtained” everything or “have
arrived at my goal”; We all need to “press on to take hold of that for which
Christ Jesus took hold of” us (Phil.3.12-14). The Hebrew Christians were “slow
to learn,” “dull of hearing.” They needed to make conscious efforts to move
forward to maturity and learn “the teaching about righteousness” and equip them
“to distinguish good from evil” (Heb.5:13). Verse 3 puts forth a condition
before us regarding our pursuit of maturity. It should be done by depending on God’s
power. Our Christian life is God-depending. God is the source of our spiritual maturity.
As Spurgeon says, “We must keep on going forward; there is no such thing in the
Christian life as standing still, and we dare not turn back.”
APPLICATION: There are many
common things between every culture and religion. Those common things are interesting
and good starting points for our mutual conversations and to believe in the
Creator God. However, my goal should be on Christ. Depending on God, I must
press on to maturity. There is no turning back and no standing still. I will
follow Christ to grow in faith and love and to maturity.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your holy and
heavenly call to live in Christ. Lord, help me “to live a life worthy of the
calling” I have received from you. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to “press on
toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus.” Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 315
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