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 19 of 24
This perspective is remarkably absent almost every place I go. Myriad of people entertain the notion that a little amount of religious activity, and an allegiance to the institution is all that is necessary to stay in favor with God. Others are satisfied to rely upon a one-time profession of faith, content to recall a time when they did believe. Yet they are not actually living by faith now. They thus remain in a state of Scriptural illiteracy, and are unacquainted with the ways of the Lord. Their hearts are being draw toward the temporal order, and much of what they receive in church is nothing more than somewhat wholesome entertainment.
The gravity of their situation is obscure to them. Actually, they are drifting away from God, away from grace, and away from Divine power. Living in practical aloofness and alienation from God, they are dazzled with what they see, and have little interest in the things that are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God (Col 3:1-3). The world, like a silent tide, is taking them away from the Lord who bought them. As they drift away from Him, they are becoming less and less sensitive to Him. Unless their course is averted, eventually they will drift to a place where their conscience is "seared," and they are unable to hear the voice of the Lord, who is speaking from heaven (Heb 12:25).
By not availing themselves of Divine resources, "they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame." They have again cried, "Away with Him! Crucify Him!" The Lord has called upon them to move forward, and they have refused to do so. His Spirit has urged them to go on to perfection, and they have rejected His summons. The Scriptures speak to them of mortifying the flesh and drawing near to the Lord, but they will not hear their testimony.
Those who do not "go on to perfection" are in the process of resisting the Holy Spirit, stopping their ears to His gracious cries. He has come to lead them in the mortification of the flesh, but they do not hear Him. He has come to fill them with all joy and peace in believing, but they are oblivious to His tender intentions. He wants to bear witness to their spirit that they are the children of God, but their hearts are cluttered with the baubles of sense and time.
Those who linger on the border of spiritual life tear Christ out of the recesses of their inner man, and refuse to let Him reign over their hearts, minds, souls, and wills. They insult God, pour contempt upon His Son, consider the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and grieve and quench the Holy Spirit of God.
If all of that seems too strong, do not be deceived. This IS what happens when a soul refuses to make progress in the conformity determined and required by God. The heavenly Father has nowhere represented Himself as tolerant of being ignored. For those who seek Him, call upon Him, and trust Him, He is most tender, longsuffering, and gracious. But those with cold hearts will experience no such consideration. If they refuse to advance toward the heavenly home, they seriously transgress in imagining they are sure to go there.
What possible reason can be adduced for not growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? A full provision has been made for the remission of sin. The Holy Spirit has been dispatched to be our Helper. The Lord Jesus is ever living to make intercession for us. An innumerable company of holy angels have been marshaled to minister to the heirs of salvation. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their cries. The solitary have been set in a family that has been reconciled to God, and invested with graces that will assist us in perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. How is it that people can remain spiritually juvenile for years in spite of such marvelous advantages? How is it they have not gone on to perfection, moving further from the world and closer to heaven?
The reason for such a failure can only be traced to one thing: the lack of interest on the part of such people. They are lacking in spiritual hunger and thirst. They have no heart for the things that will orient them for glory. They are too much at home in this present evil world. They do not see their own weakness, nor are they persuaded of the Lord's great strength and power. If ever they knew the Lord, they have forgotten Him. If ever they believed, an "evil heart of unbelief" has entered into them (Heb 3:12).
The reason why moving on to perfection is necessary is simply this: if we do not move forward, we WILL go backward! Unless that backward motion is arrested, a point will be reached where recovery is "impossible." The reason for this should be obvious. We are not living in a moral vacuum. There are hostile forces aligned against us -- principalities and powers against which we wrestle. If we are not aggressive to maintain the faith by which these powers are resisted (1 Pet 5:8-9), we greatly err in thinking they will be less aggressive.
I am aware that men have embraced favorite dogmas that affirm such a backward plummet is not possible. If this was the case, the summons to go on to perfection would be nothing more than a placid suggestion. The warning of a state of impossibility would, in such a case, be a lie -- a gross misrepresentation that is credited to the Living God. For me, it is difficult to imagine a more dangerous position. In order to embrace it, one must thrust their fingers in their ears and refuse to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
For those who are serious about their quest for "glory and honor and immortality" (Rom 2:7), their labors are "not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58). Their faith will be honored by their heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit will enable them to finish their course. The Lord Jesus will lead them, succor them, and intercede for them. The Word of God will nourish them, and the people of God assist them. They will progress in going on to perfection. But for those who are falling asleep, refusing to "fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12), the gap between them and an impossible state is rapidly closing. Let them awake, for the night is far spent!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, deliver me from doctrines, persuasions, and manners of thought that put me to sleep, weaken my faith, and slay my hope.