In the past three posts we have looked at some convincing arguments of how the new law, and Christ, is superior to the old law. During the writing of this letter to the Hebrews, the author takes a side track to address a problem. This problem was that the Hebrews that received this letter were not progressing in their faith. It is good that we look at the elements of this part of the book because the admonitions giving to these brethren still ring true to us today.
After one becomes a Christian, there is a need for us to press on in out learning and in our faith. The writer admonishes these brethren because, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb 5:12). When one is first converted, one nourishes themselves on the milk of the word, as newborn babes. Just as babes grow up and develop, we too must progress in our study and knowledge to the “meat” of the word. We should not have to return the the first principles, such as baptism, etc. (Heb. 6:1-2).
Every time Christians fall away they, “crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). It is by our fruits or our thorns that we are saved or not. Those who, “bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned” (Heb. 6:7-8). God has promised us that He will remember our good deeds, but we must continue doing good deeds until the end. We can- not be lazy, “but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:12). God made promises to Abraham and he received them, “after he had patiently endured” (Heb. 6:15) to the end. Because God cannot lie, we have two assurances, “we might have a strong consolation” and “who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Heb. 6:18). God has set before us the things we must do to obtain for ourselves eternal life with Him. Now it is up to us to patiently endure to the end so that we to can obtain our promises.
Jeremy Ferguson
