Hebrews 6:1-3
Verse 1 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, and of faith in God,
The author of Hebrews was making it clear that there was no desire from those to whom he was writing, to have a depth of Christian faith. Too many of us have the same problem today, we say we are believers but may not fully understand that in the way the early Church understood it. Because of this lack of understanding we find ourselves living a Christian half-life. We know that being a Christian is about living as Christ but we only have a shallow desire live out that life. We think we are doing well until we read a passage like this and see how what we think is maturity was considered immaturity in the early Church.
The author makes it plain that the foundation is repentance from the sins which cause us spiritual death. While repentance is a thing of continual importance in our faith life, it isn’t where our growth should end. In fact, that is merely the beginning and sustaining portion of our faith journey. Repentance is the result of our seeing God for who He truly is and that must be the base of our relationship with Him. If we don’t know who He really is, we won’t desire to grow closer to Him.
It seems like these people were stuck on the basics of the faith, things like the dos and don’ts from the law. Just as the Sadducees and Pharisees, they were looking at the law and thinking that is what made up their faith. They were willing to work their way through in an attempt to be close to God, but that isn’t what God required.
It is easy to think we are living righteously because we are obeying God’s various commands and yet by not going deeper in our relationship with the Lord, we miss all a true relationship with Him can be. Obedience is good and can reveal our love for Him or it may just be us trying to prove how worthy we are. We could be obeying from selfish motives instead of obeying to prove our love for Him.
As we grow to understand where we have been settling for the basics, we need to ask ourselves why we aren’t willing to go deeper. And if we ask in honesty, He will help us learn the deeper more maturing things of a life of faith.
Making It Personal
What do you think is the reason you aren’t deeper in your walk with the Lord? What do you think would help you go deeper in the relationship? Do you want to have a genuine relationship with God?
Making It Personal Kids
What do you think a deeper relationship with Jesus looks like? How do you think you can get that? Do you want a closer relationship with Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we are beginning to see how we have settled for something less than You want in relationship with us. Please give us the wisdom we need to know You in all the ways You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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