March 13, 2023 | Be On Mission
Jesus Calls Us to Maturity & Faithfulness
Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-6:12 (NIV)
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
1 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.
Devotional
My little grandchildren love a show called Number Blocks. In it, animated blocks of numbers jump around, merge and divide to form new numbers, and take various forms to show that nine can be represented as 9x1 and 3x3. It is a brilliant way to learn basic math.
When I was a math major at Purdue, I took ten math courses (yep, I’m Pastor Geek). Whether it was multivariate calculus, differential equations or linear analysis, one thing was certain – Number Blocks alone wouldn’t have helped me pass the class.
In today’s reading from Hebrews, the author reminds followers of Jesus that it is time to move beyond elementary truths (5:12) and teachings (6:1) of Christianity. The basics provide a great foundation for our faith, but without more we have nothing but a wall-less, roof-less foundation. Jesus wants so much more for us than the bare basics.
In Hebrews 6:4-8 the author warns the reader about the danger of being an authentic believer only to walk away from the faith. Doing so is like “crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (v. 6). Refusing to advance beyond elementary faith and turning away from the faith are equally futile. Jesus wants so much more for us!
In what ways is God challenging you to go beyond an elementary faith in Christ? How is He calling you to turn back to Him? Who is the Lord providing for you so that you may “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”? (v. 12).
Prayer
Lord, as we continue to read the Word, give us insight into Your teachings. As a small child, we needed help to understand Your Word. Provide us with nourishment to grow in the understanding of Your ways and love. Like strong students, may we be diligent in our studies and become bold disciples of Christ. We have seen Jesus’ light and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We receive new and eternal life. When worldly things pull us away, let us recognize, repent and return to our faith in You. Please strengthen and enable us to focus on following you and your will. Amen.
Poem
Painting
An easel
In kindergarten
With large sheet
White
And
Primary colors
Red
Blue
Yellow
My fingers
Sole brush
Dip and dab
Smooth and smear
Finger-painting
A fence post
In summer
With splinters
Rough
And
White-wash
Limey
Runny
Drippy
My poled rag
Sole brush
Dip and drag
Slop and smear
Farm-painting
A lit table
In class
With canvas
Blank
And
Oils
Sienna
Cyanine
Vermillion
And horse hair
Many brushes
Mix and mingle
Tint and trace
Portraits
A life
In time
With faith
Strong
And
Fruit
Love
Joy
Self-Control
And mentors
Body of Christ
Encouraging and exhorting
Praying and proclaiming
Maturity
