SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 6
MEMORY VERSE:
“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.” (Hebrews 6:10)
The author told us to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity. The elementary teachings include: repentances, faith in God, baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. Those who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age may have fallen away. They should be brought back to repentance so that they won’t be crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed received 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.
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. Show this same diligence to the very end to make your hope sure. Do not become lazy but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S PROMISE (vs. 13-20)
God made his promise to Abraham saying “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants” After Abraham had waited patiently, he received what was promised. God also promised us with an oath by giving us a hope for the soul which is firm and secure. He sent Jesus on our behalf as a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek to enter into the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
THOUGHTS:
All Christians must know the elementary teachings of repentance, faith, baptism, resurrection, eternal life and judgment. But we need to move beyond the elementary teachings to a more complete understanding of faith. We must learn more from God’s Word to become mature.
There was a danger of the Hebrew Christians returning to Judaism. Thus the author warned those people who come close to salvation and turn away and also superficial believers who renounce their faith. Either way, those who reject Christ will not be saved. Apart from Christ, there is no other possible way of salvation. The author was warning against hardness of heart that would make repentance inconceivable for the sinner.
Land that produces a good crop receives loving care. But land that produces thistles and thorns has to be burned down. An unproductive Christian life falls under God’s condemnation. We are not saved by deeds or conduct, but what we do is the evidence of our faith.
Christians should not become lazy because we have hope and rewards that lie ahead of us.
Abraham waited patiently until he was 100 years old before he had his promised son Isaac. We should also learn to wait for God to act in his timing even when our needs seem too great to wait any longer.
There are two innermost rooms in the Temple – the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The high priest could enter there only once a year to stand in God’s presence and atone for the sins of the entire nation. But Christ is in God’s presence at all times. He is the High Priest who can continually intercede for us.