Wednesday 15 September, 2021

2 Comments/in /by

Hebrews 6:1-8

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, 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.

God’s plan for us includes His work of transforming us into the likeness of Christ through the process of discipleship. We learn about things like repentance, baptism and resurrection (v1-3). We get to experience His goodness and power in our lives. We are shaped by these wonderful truths. But within it all, it is the state of our heart that matters most to God. He wants our heart to continue to grow in faith and trust in Him.

I am not responsible for my own salvation, but I am responsible for nurturing my heart. If I maintain a softness of heart and a teachable spirit, then I will be like the good soil that receives the rain and produces a harvest (v7). This softness will allow the Holy Spirit’s refreshing to go deep down into my very being.

So rather than fear getting a hard heart, turn your eyes to Jesus and keep your focus on Him. Do the things that keep your heart soft and your relationship with Him alive: spend time with Him, read His word, keep connected with your church family, find your small group within church, give thanks, offer Him your prayers and praise, enjoy time in nature, enjoy times of solitude or study. By doing so, you’ll keep growing stronger and receive His blessings (v7).

Father, I thank you that you want a real relationship with us, not one where we do things out of duty. May we keep our hearts soft before You so that like good soil we may receive from You in order to grow.

Written by Gab Martin

2 replies
  1. Richard says:

    Thanks Gab for your insights.

    From SOAP this morning.

    What a great and difficult passage of Scripture. The six elements of doctrine that the writer to the Hebrews gives us are very revealing about what God believes are the basic elements of doctrine for those very young in the faith. A full third of the elementary things is focussed on End Times – that arrests me. What do I believe is important to assist a young believer – here is what God thought was important for the new believers this writer was writing to, and then the Lord thought it so important that it was added to the canon of Scripture – so He thinks the same for us all.

    So do I know, understand and live out these doctrines. Do I convey them to others, or consider I have better or more important things to say to new believers?

    Father help me to represent you to those young in faith faithfully.

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