[Anglican Devotional 8 March 2022] Topic: A Call For Spiritual Growth And Maturity
TOPIC: A Call For Spiritual Growth And Maturity
READ: Hebrews 5:11 – 6:12 (NKJV)
of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need [someone] to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes [only] of milk [is] unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, [that is,] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
6:1. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary [principles] of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
6:2. of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
6:3. And this we will do if God permits.
6:4. For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
6:5. and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6:6. if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put [Him] to an open shame.
6:7. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
6:8. but if it bears thorns and briars, [it is] rejected and near to being cursed, whose end [is] to be burned.
6:9. But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
6:10. For God [is] not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, [in that] you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
6:11. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
6:12. that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
THE MESSAGE:
In our passage today, the writer rebukes the Jewish Christians for being too slow to learn, spiritually immature and unable to teach others (verses 11-13). Being unskilled in the word portends a danger of being unable to distinguish between truth and errors of doctrine and this could be a pathway to backsliding and apostasy. The devastating nature of apostasy is fully described in Chapter 6:4-6 thus, “it is difficult to restore anyone who has known Christ, enjoyed the fellowship of the Holy spirit and falls out of faith.”
However, the writer assures his readers that they are not of the nature of the apostates (6:9), so in order to make their calling and election sure, they must remain diligent to the faith unto the very end (6:11-12). Our study shows that no Christian should be stagnant; we need to mature and grow in faith. An unproductive Christian is in danger of being an apostate, crucifying Christ all over again. We need to deepen our knowledge of God by studying His word, praying always, having fellowship with one another and living a productive Christian life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word today. Grant me grace for spiritual growth and maturity in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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