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Hebrews 6:1-12 presents to us an exhortation, a warning and an affirmation.
EXHORTATION (verses 1-3). We are encouraged to move forward from the basics towards maturity in our Christian faith. This implies a maturity of the mind which requires us to diligently study the Bible and understand more deeply who Jesus is and our relationship with Him. It also speaks to a more mature way of Christian living. As we mature, our daily lives must reflect Jesus more and more. We must constantly rid ourselves of our old faults and achieve fresh virtues in our lives through the Holy Spirit. A new serenity and nobility must break upon our lives.
WARNING (verses 4-8). As Christians, we have been enlightened. What if we turn our backs on Jesus who we had believed in previously? It is important to remember here that Hebrews was written during a time of great persecution of Christians by the authorities. Under such severe conditions, Christians can actually save their lives by denying Jesus. The condemnation here is for those who loved life more than they loved Jesus. The seriousness of this act of denial is like crucifying Jesus on the cross again and “holding him up to contempt”. Some Bible commentators have read into this passage that there is no forgiveness from God ever for these “deniers”. Other commentators have cautioned that who can possibly say for certain that another Christian is beyond the forgiveness of God? What the Hebrews writer wanted to teach was the terrible seriousness and results of choosing our own way of existence instead of a life of simply following Jesus.
AFFIRMATION (verses 9-12). Firstly, even in the darkest circumstances, we continue with our worship and loving service in Church and in our community. We can be sure that God is faithful and the light, the attractiveness and the joy of Jesus will come back to us in His time. Secondly, be imitators of those in our Church who, through faith and patience, have inherited the promise. Our Church has been blessed over the last 75 years with many leaders who have served God faithfully through thick and thin. These verses remind us that in our worship and service, we are walking today where the saints of BKC have trod previously with the love and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ. We press on in our Christian lives always “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”.
