LEAVING THE FIRST PRINCIPLES -- Tomorrow:
"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, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." (Hebrews 6:1-4, NKJV).
Devotion 16 of 24
" . . . not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
There is something common in these six principles. They all have to do with the induction of men into the Kingdom of Christ -- either in this world, or the one to come. They are all beginnings--introductions to a new realm. They stand at the threshold of something beyond the experiences themselves.
These are also matters having to do with what men do. We repent. We believe. We are cleansed. Hands are laid upon us. We are raised from the dead. We are the ones who are judged. While Deity is prominent in all of these things, none of them are done in our behalf or vicariously. None of them have justifying power of themselves. Their effectiveness is owing to what Jesus did independently of us in His death, resurrection, and ascension into the heavens.
In repentance, we turn from the world and unacceptable patterns of life and thought, to embrace the Lord. In faith, we focus our trust in the Living God in order to the realization of the blessing. Baptisms are associated with preparation, as well as the laying on of hands. The resurrection of the dead will induct us fully into the eternal order, and eternal judgment is the beginning of either a reign with Christ or exclusion from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.
There is something else about these principles that knits them together. They all have to do with the activities of the saved. They are the ones who have repented and believed, were cleansed and either lay on hands or have hands laid on them. They will be raised, and they will be judged. Elementary principles have to do with us. They are "the principles of the doctrine of Christ." They are matters that assist in orienting us for Divine fellowship.
However, the real heart of the message is not what we should do or have done, but what God has done through Christ. The focus is not upon men, but upon Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Nothing about Jesus, for example, is rudimentary. The Gospel is characterized by remarkable depth, and is not elementary. The Gospel is the focus of extended and consistent inquiry and understanding. (Eph 3:16-21). No matter how long you are in Christ, Jesus and the Gospel must never be left! You never move away from them or leave them.
If ever believers are going to grow, they must make the transition from themselves to the Lord; from their works to Him; from what is required of them to what is declared of Him. This is an exceedingly difficult thing to proclaim, but it must be done. It is not difficult because of the proclamation itself, but because of the inability of the contemporary churchmen to receive the message.
In Scripture, particularly in the epistles, the most powerful and effective proclamations do not pertain to human involvements, whether they are duties or accomplishments. They always center in Deity, eternal purpose, and the culmination of Divine intent. As we become involved in God's purpose, we begin to grow -- but only so.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I earnestly desire to do Your will, leaving nothing that You require of me undone or incomplete. In the name of Jesus, help me to see more clearly what You have purposed and accomplished in Your Son. In the light of that, I know I will find strength to glorify You in my thoughts, words, and deeds.