“Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permits.”
Hebrews 6:1-3
It’s one thing to know what we “ought” to do; it’s another thing to do it.
“Grow up!!”
That’s the basic message in today’s Manna—both for the original recipients of the Epistle to the Hebrews and for us. And, we’d do well to hear and heed this message, lest our spiritual laziness make the Savior sick to His stomach (Rev. 3:14-17).
There’s no doubt the anonymous author was frustrated with his readers even as the Heavenly Father is with us. He was wanting to “wax eloquently” about the Aaronic priesthood and the superiority of the Melchisdecian priesthood (5:1-10), but they were “dull of hearing, dependent upon spiritual milk and fledglings when it came to God’s Word” (vv.11-14).
Instead of being “teachers of the Word,” they were still in Bible kindergarten—i.e., trying to learn the ABCs of the faith (v.12a). Instead of enjoying spiritual “steak and baked potatoes” (“strong meat”) they were seemingly content with spiritual powdered milk. And, instead of being Olympic champion Word-weightlifters, they were 90-lb weaklings (v.12b-13).
No wonder they were “unskillful and unable to discern both good and evil” (v.14). They were anemic and inept because of a lack of spiritual discipline and exercise!
Dear Pilgrim, the same is true of us if we’re not a daily student of God’s Word. How many there are who darken church doors every Sunday, but are Biblically illiterate and ill-equipped for spiritual warfare! Are you one of them?!?
If so, repent! Repent!
How can you “resist the devil and make Him flee from you” if you never “submit yourself to God and draw near Him” (James 4:7-8a)? You can’t! Neither can you “grow in God’s Grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18) if you never “study to show yourself approved unto God as a workman that needs not to be ashamed” (II Tim. 2:15a)!
But, it’s not too late to start!
Just as “NOW is the accepted time and Day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:2) for those who are lost, so is “TODAY the Day to begin hearing the Spirit’s Voice and quit hardening your heart” (Heb. 3:7)! It just takes surrender, commitment and time.
Be like Joshua: “Choose you this day whom you’ll serve” (Josh. 24:15). Heed the voice of Elijah as he asks “How long will you halt (Heb. ‘pacach’—‘hop or skip over, hesitate, limp, be undecided, pass over, etc.’) between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him. . .” (I Kings 18:21a). Remember: To be a follower of Christ, you must “deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Him” (Lk. 9:23). So, quit procrastinating. Grow up! Start today.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 29, 2011
