The instruction that the writer of Hebrews gives here is to go on to perfection, moving beyond the elementary principles of Christ. Many of us may wince at such words. "But we will never be perfect! We cannot be perfect!" The objections are out of our mouth before we even consider what obedience might look like. As such, I have found so much stagnancy in the walks of many. There are many places we...

I remember a moment where I was pacing back and forth, fuming due to a conversation I had just had. One of my buddies that was with me paid me what I recall as a snide remark, "You just don't know how to quit." I was in a debate with someone who simply didn't know how to accept reason. The conversation was not supposed to be a complicated one. It was a very simple subject that should have been eas...

We are given a list of the elementary principles of Christ. For the sake of the progression of the week of devotions, I want to address each one of these in part.Repentance from dead works. This is something that I have actually found most churches struggle to teach on. We usually error on the side of repenting from bad works instead of dead works. The problem here is that we think that there is s...

Solomon spoke truly when he highlighted in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun. The same problems that were had in the day of the book of Hebrews being written are the same problems we face today. I have seen this problem in just about every church I have gone to. It may be the most spiritual church; it may be the most biblically sound church. The reality is that whatever church y...

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.-Hebrews 6:1-3......

Truthfully seek the Lord as to where you are in this journey. Be humble to what He reveals to you. Do not be deceived in thinking you are farther than you think or that you are more immature than you think. The Lord may confirm more maturity, or He may highlight growth areas. See that the Lord is invested in your sanctification and desires to partner with you in your growth. So humbly submit yours...

    My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,    2      So that you incline your ear to wisdom,    And apply your heart to understanding;    3      Yes, if you cry out for discernment,    And lift up your voice for understanding,    4      If you seek her as silver,    And search for her as for hidden treasures;    5      Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,  ...

The way that we perceive the world changes the way we interact with it. Look at the various cultures around the world and how differently they act. In some countries, it is an insult to deny a glass of wine when your host offers it. In others, it is shameful to show the bottom of your feet. Others still, it is appropriate for a son to order his mother around. The culture you live in and the way yo...

Sweat was dripping down my brow. I breathed a series of heavy breaths and shakily lifted myself from the mat I was just recently thrown down upon. Standing up, my hapkido instructor announced that we would conclude our sparring and finish off with some stretches. My dad stepped in and talked to my instructor while one of the higher ranks led us in concluding stretches. As we finished, I returned t...

We get an interesting context to the audience that the book of Hebrews is written to. These are not some new believers that are falling to small deceptions and fears of persecution. These are seasoned believers. One of Paul's qualifications for teachers is that they ought not be a novice lest they fall to the same temptation as the devil. The writer of Hebrews is telling them that by this time, th...

These few verses pack a heavy punch. While they may be few in words in comparison to the other sections we have covered, the significance is not lost on them. The writer of Hebrews addresses his audience. He just began speaking of Melchizedek and mentioning that he wishes to speak further on this topic. There is a problem with the audience though. They have become dull of hearing. Their dullness o...

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exe...

I always love taking opportunity to be in awe of the Lord and give Him praise. Let us praise the Lord for giving us access to the Father by the Son. Take the opportunity of that access to pour love back upon Him as He has poured it on you. Do not fret on whatever emotions you may be feeling or weight that may be upon you. Praise can uplift the soul of the weary. Let yourself be led by the declarat...

9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him-Hebrews 5:914 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.-John 15:14 It has come to my attention throughout my years of pastoring that many Christians view obedience as optional. The one thing we needed to do was put our trust in Jesus. Now we are set for heaven and obedience has nothing to do with ...

Just as the lesson clearly demonstrates to the original audience that Jesus is enough, so also does that lesson reflect back to us. It is important that we recognize that we still needed a mediator between us and the Father. We have direct access to the Father through the Son. 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.-John 14:6 We wo...