Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death
Hebrews 6:1a
Hebrews 6:1 tells Christians they must move from elementary teachings to maturity. Elementary lessons begin with a foundation of repentance. Does this mean that those who are mature do not repent? In the words of scripture, “Far be it!” Even the very seasoned sin and must repent. But the very wise and seasoned already have repented and push and turn away from sin constantly. The failure is that those who walk with the Lord have ALREADY laid a foundation of repentance and stand on that foundation.
Jude in the letter of Jude wanted to write about common salvation but had to write a letter instead about the “ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness” (Jude 1:4). In the same way, many want to write about the deeper things of the Lord but must return again to call the Christians to repentance. The mature ought to already have the foundation of repentance.
There is a holy standard that the Lord outlines in scripture. Much of that holy standard includes a call to sexual morality. Do not have affairs--be they physical or emotional. Do not call for the wife of a husband to leave her husband and marry you. Do not prey on those who are too young or vulnerable for gratification. Do not fool yourself into believing your own desires are the will of God. And do not rebuff a call to holiness or repentance.
How do you know you have rebuffed a call to holiness? How do you respond to exhortation and correction? Proverbs 9:1-19 gives many clues. Do you scoff, huff, and push back against those who ask you to rise up in holiness? What happens when a leader or friend brings up behavior that they think is sin but you don’t? Do you privately rage against this invasion? Or do you pray and love the barrier of rebuke you disagree with? Do you love the one who exhorts you because they loved you enough to bring a matter to your mind? Do you take the criticism to the Holy Spirit and scripture to be sure you are walking in holiness and righteousness?
Or do you insult and avoid the person and the exhortation? Scripture says the wise will grow even more wise and love even more those who deliver the rebuke. The righteous are teachable and seek the knowledge of the Holy One for understanding (Pro. 9:7-12).
The unrighteous scoffs, and adds insult to the one who brings correction. The unrighteous dishonors the one who brings correction. They argue and make fun of and share their displeasure at the correction with others.
Unholiness is boisterous and calls to others to take sides. Unholiness draws in others subtly with half-truths and religious-sounding words. Unholiness has excuses.
1 Peter 1:16 says, “It is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” How you respond to rebuke, in love or in insult, growing in wisdom or in scoffing reveals if you have set the foundation of repentance that leads to maturity.
Hebrews 6:1a
Hebrews 6:1 tells Christians they must move from elementary teachings to maturity. Elementary lessons begin with a foundation of repentance. Does this mean that those who are mature do not repent? In the words of scripture, “Far be it!” Even the very seasoned sin and must repent. But the very wise and seasoned already have repented and push and turn away from sin constantly. The failure is that those who walk with the Lord have ALREADY laid a foundation of repentance and stand on that foundation.
Jude in the letter of Jude wanted to write about common salvation but had to write a letter instead about the “ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness” (Jude 1:4). In the same way, many want to write about the deeper things of the Lord but must return again to call the Christians to repentance. The mature ought to already have the foundation of repentance.
There is a holy standard that the Lord outlines in scripture. Much of that holy standard includes a call to sexual morality. Do not have affairs--be they physical or emotional. Do not call for the wife of a husband to leave her husband and marry you. Do not prey on those who are too young or vulnerable for gratification. Do not fool yourself into believing your own desires are the will of God. And do not rebuff a call to holiness or repentance.
How do you know you have rebuffed a call to holiness? How do you respond to exhortation and correction? Proverbs 9:1-19 gives many clues. Do you scoff, huff, and push back against those who ask you to rise up in holiness? What happens when a leader or friend brings up behavior that they think is sin but you don’t? Do you privately rage against this invasion? Or do you pray and love the barrier of rebuke you disagree with? Do you love the one who exhorts you because they loved you enough to bring a matter to your mind? Do you take the criticism to the Holy Spirit and scripture to be sure you are walking in holiness and righteousness?
Or do you insult and avoid the person and the exhortation? Scripture says the wise will grow even more wise and love even more those who deliver the rebuke. The righteous are teachable and seek the knowledge of the Holy One for understanding (Pro. 9:7-12).
The unrighteous scoffs, and adds insult to the one who brings correction. The unrighteous dishonors the one who brings correction. They argue and make fun of and share their displeasure at the correction with others.
Unholiness is boisterous and calls to others to take sides. Unholiness draws in others subtly with half-truths and religious-sounding words. Unholiness has excuses.
1 Peter 1:16 says, “It is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” How you respond to rebuke, in love or in insult, growing in wisdom or in scoffing reveals if you have set the foundation of repentance that leads to maturity.