Chapter 6
-Go on to maturity in your faith and leave the elementary
doctrine of Christ, which is based in the Law (as a tutor to Christ, Galatians
3:24-25) and dead works. Instead (the kai
here in the Greek can have the contrastive meaning “but”), have these things: faith
toward God, instruction about washings (baptisms), laying on of hands,
resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2). Those who have
been enlightened and have tasted and shared in the heavenly gift of the Holy
Spirit having tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age
to come, and then have fallen away make it impossible to renew (restore) them
again to repentance (Hebrews 6:4-6). These crucify once again the Son of God to
their own harm and hold Him up to contempt. The fruits of true repentance are
not there and there is no crop that is useful for the Kingdom of God if one
bears thorns and thistles. These are the worthless ones, near to being cursed,
and their end will be consuming fire (Hebrews 6:6, 8). But for the steadfast
and believing better things are expected. These drink the falling rain and
produce abundant crops, which are useful for the Lord. They are cultivated
(disciplined) and receive blessing from God pertaining to eternal salvation (Hebrews
6:7, 9). “God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you
have shown for His Name in serving the saints, as you still do (Hebrews 6:10).”
The author’s desire is for each person to whom that he is writing to have the
full assurance of hope until the end, so that there is no sluggishness, but an
imitation of those who through faith and patience (perseverance) inherit the
promises (Hebrews 6:11-12). *Application* This section in its context is really
about adherence to the Law of Christ verses the reverting back to the Torah
(Law of Moses, Old Covenant dispensation) in hopes of eternal life. No one can
say they accept Christ and then go back to any other system for salvation.
This, as Hebrews puts it, crucifies Christ again (which cannot happen, once was
all it took, Hebrews 10:10) and makes a mockery of Him holding Him up to
contempt. The basic principle is this: We must accept Jesus Christ for who He
actually is, the propitiation for our sins, and quit trying to come to any
other conclusion. We must abide in Him continually for salvation. There are
those who get enlightened (they experience God in revelation, they sense God’s
presence near, the Light shines on them, but not in them, 2 Peter 1:19),
partake (share, a partner, not a child) and taste (enjoy, experience, but not
digestion) in the Holy Spirit, but have no root and do not produce the fruit in
the end of righteousness by true faith. These are like the seeds that Jesus
spoke of in His parable that receive the Word of the Kingdom with joy, but it
is temporary and they fall away because of their rocky soil, a wavering and
untrue heart (Matthew 13:20-21). There is no other way to Heaven than Jesus
Christ. Abide in Him!
-Jesus Christ has become our forerunner as our ultimate High
Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:20). He can
swear by no other but Himself since He is the greatest and most high.
Therefore, His Word is true (He cannot lie) and we have hope and encouragement
in Him alone. Jesus is a sure and steadfast anchor of our soul, a hope that
enters into the holy of holies behind the curtain veil and secures our
relationship with Him (Hebrews 6:13-19). *Application* Those who truly know the
Lord will have no need for anything else. He brings us into His grace and into
His presence because He is a faithful High Priest and there is no shifting
shadow with Him (James 1:17-18). To turn to any other form of religion is disaster
for your soul. His Holy Spirit will seal you when you completely turn
everything over to Jesus Christ and quit trying to earn salvation (Ephesians
1:13; 4:30). Jesus is the complete and final answer (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Verse to memorize-
Hebrews 6:10
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