TITLE: IT’S TIME TO GROW UP
SCRIPTURE:
“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, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. 9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:1—12 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Believers are called to grow spiritually and make the right choices as they serve God. The challenge we all face is that we go back and forth instead of walking with Jesus with a made-up mind. Sometimes, believers stop trying to move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and are never taken forward to maturity. There is so much more to learn about Christ and the kind of life we must live than continuing to stay around the elementary level of Christianity.
We are called to leave the elementary teachings and progress towards maturity in Christ Jesus. The danger of stagnation is that we may miss out on experiencing the fullness of what Jesus has for us. The writer’s message is clear: Once enlightened, having tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and experienced the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, falling away makes it nearly impossible to return to repentance.
In essence, the writer is saying if we are genuinely growing into maturity, it is impossible to fall away. However, for those who have fallen away, it isn’t easy to be brought back to repentance. The idea is that when a person becomes enlightened, they have tasted the heavenly gift, Jesus. They shared a relationship with the Holy Spirit. They have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, so they should continue, but sadly and unfortunately, people tend to walk away from all of that.
The writer also shared the view of two kinds of lands. The Land that drinks in the rain often falls on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
The believer who grows into maturity is like the land that keeps growing when the rain falls on it. But the land or the life that produces thorns and thistles is worthless. The final exhortation from the writer is a powerful reminder to be faithful and to keep growing into maturity. Three things to continue to grow us into maturity:
- God will never forget your work. God will always remember what you do, whether the people you serve do or not. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help.
- Keep the same diligence to the very end. As we mature, we must keep the same diligence to the very end and never give up or slack off. Please keep the same enthusiasm so that what we hope for may be fully realized.
- Become imitators of those through faith and patience and inherit what has been promised.
APPLICATION:
I must never let go of an opportunity that will help me grow in my faith. Sometimes, hanging around with the elementary teachings and things I am familiar with is comfortable. I will make every effort to continue to grow in the Lord so I may be able to be a blessing to others.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for reminding me of the value of continuing to learn and grow into maturity. I know I am lazy sometimes. Please teach me to dig deep and grow in every aspect of my relationship with you. Keep me focused on things that matter and things that please you. Amen!
