Hebrews 6 gives us some clarity about the ministry that happened in the body of Christ. The writer of Hebrews gives a challenge to the church to “leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity”. We need to grow – we should not stay as immature Christ Followers who become saved and then just camp there. He lists the foundation of those elementary doctrines:
– “a foundation of repentance from dead works
– Faith toward God
– Instruction about washings
– Laying on of hands
– Resurrection of the dead
– Eternal judgment”
These are the things that we should know at the basis of our walk with Jesus. Do you have a handle on them? They are the very platform from which we can move on toward maturity. But some didn’t and don’t have these things down and get stuck in immaturity. In other places we learn that we often get stuck in growth because we haven’t truly learned God’s Word. We haven’t been in deep relationship with Him. We are just floundering around and not going anywhere. We need to make sure we understand the basic truths of our walk with Him.
The chapter does on to tell us it is “it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”. Those who make the absolute choice of denying the word of God and His power are on a very slippery slope away from Him. In fact scripture tells us we cannot bring them back again. This is referred to in other places as blasphemy of the Holy Spirit – when we deny the very power of God and His Spirit in us and make an intentional choice to refuse the truth and power of God in our lives. We will have made the eternally fatal decision to choose death rather than eternal life. We must be careful not to deny God’s power or truth. We must live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The writer encourages us to “show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end….imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises…. hold fast to the hope set before us…. sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”. We need to be imitators of those who have gone before us as Christ Followers. That is why we have the Bible – to show us how to live with God. Paul says over and over that we should imitate his life. We need to hang on to Jesus who is our only anchor. Every other thing in life will move and give way – but Jesus alone is the same yesterday, today and forever. We need to pursue God with earnestness and know that He is there to listen and stand behind His promises. We need to live the Christ Follower walk with all our heart. It is the highest calling we have. How are you doing on your walk?
Arlin Sorensen's Thoughts on Scripture 