Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Hebrews 5-6 and Psalm 12

The focus of this devotional is Hebrews 6:1-12. This difficult passage can best be understood from a bird’s-eye view. Zoom in too closely and the details of the author’s argument may prove very confusing indeed. But the big picture is captured in a few key statements in verses 1, 6 and 12

¹ Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity … (because) ⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened … ⁶ and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance …  ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

It is crucial for us to understand that when we repent of our sins, turn to Christ for salvation and begin to follow Him as Saviour and Lord, we have not arrived at a destination but have started a lifelong journey towards maturity in Christ. These verses teach us that we need to keep moving forward throughout that journey, or we may put ourselves in danger of falling away.

When riding a bicycle, one generally finds it very easy to remain well balanced and stable. But when one slows down, and especially if one comes to a standstill, balancing becomes very difficult. The same is true of the spiritual life. If we dedicate ourselves to growing in our understanding of the Christian faith, to moving forward and going deeper in our personal relationship with Christ and in our growth to maturity, we will find it comparatively easy to remain faithful to Him. But if we become lazy and allow ourselves to lose spiritual momentum and stagnate in our relationship with Him, we place ourselves in grave danger of toppling over and “falling away” from Christ. So it is critically important that we avoid spiritual laziness at all costs and remain patient and steadfastly faithful in our disciplined pursuit of an ever-growing knowledge of Christ and an ever-deepening relationship with Christ.

Life application: Take time to honestly assess your current rate of progress towards Christlikeness. Are there areas of your life that need special attention? Commit them to Christ in prayer and ask for His directions on how to cooperate with Him in His work of transforming you into His image in that area.