Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

 

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Read

Hebrews 6:1-12 (NRSV)

Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God, instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And we will do this, if God permits. For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and 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, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.
Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

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Reflect

Just grow up! How many times have we heard that from our parents or told our children this? This is what the writer was telling the Hebrew people. The writer wants the Hebrew children to go beyond the basics of learning about Christ. The writer challenges the people to learn new layers of their faith.

It is much like a child learning math. A teacher first teaches the student to add and subtract. Once this is mastered, a student will learn multiplication and division. As the student ages, moves from grade to grade, he or she will learn algebra then calculus and so forth.

Likewise, as people who come to know Christ, we are first taught the stories of the Bible. We then learn the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. Before long, we might even learn to recite a few verses. However, this is only the foundation of one’s faith.

The writer of Hebrews was stating just this. The Hebrew children and contemporary Christians are challenged to go beyond the surface of our faith. We are to study scriptures deeper. We are to learn how to “do” faith outside the walls of the church building. We are to know God deeper in our daily lives.

 

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Pray

For your tender guiding ways, Great Teacher, we thank you. May we continue to search beneath the surface to learn more about you and seek a deeper faith in you. As we acknowledge your teachings in our lives, may we strive to mature. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

 

Go with God!