LEAVING THE FIRST PRINCIPLES
"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 20 of 24
The Spirit does not let this matter go. The Hebrews had been resting in Law, and were satisfied with mere procedure--a posture occupied by far too many with whom we are acquainted.
It is unreasonable for a spiritually unadvancing person to expect Divine approval. The blessing of God should not be anticipated upon the basis of past performance or profession. Where spiritual growth is not taking place, a serious deficiency exists. It is not right for such people to expect their prayers to be answered, or to receive strength in the time of need. Such presumptions defy sound reason. Even nature refuses to allow us to entertain such folly.
"For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned." (Heb 6:7-8)
"Thorns and briars" are not merely sinful deeds, or the development of habits that violate the moral code of the Law. A focus upon things that "are seen" is a "thorn," because it violates the entire thrust of Scripture, the intercession of Christ, and the convincing power of the Holy Spirit. A preference for the things of this world--even apparently lawful things--is a "briar" to the soul. Left unaddressed, these things will eventually dominate the heart and cut one off from God. The Lord has lavished His grace upon us to a remarkable degree. To neglect that grace in preference for "other things" (Mark 4:19) is not innocent, and God will not tolerate it!
If you cultivated and fertilized a field, only to have it yield a patch of briars and thorns, what would you do? And what will the Living God do if He has poured Himself out upon us abundantly, only to find us immersed in the world, thinking as men, and living without heaven in view? How will it go for those who have once been tender to the Lord, but are now calloused and insensitive to Him? Such cannot long endure His Word, and have no demanding appetite for "the things of the Spirit of God." How does it set with God when He has appointed a High Priest to continually represent the people to Him, and some of them make little or no provision for Him? The answer to these questions is obvious! Such people are very close to being cursed!
We are not left to conjecture on this matter. God has provided us with a historical example of His blessing being poured upon a preferred people, and how He reacted when it was rejected.
"Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD" (Jer 2:21-22). Who is the person that will affirm Jesus has now so affected God that he has changed His reaction toward such a response? What person with a noble beginning in Jesus imagines that God will tolerate from them what He refused to tolerate from Israel? What kind of theology presents change as taking place in God instead of the people? Such a teaching is, indeed, a "damnable heresy" (2 Pet 2:1). Jesus has not made sin more tolerable to God. Rather, He has taken it away, removed its power, and given people new hearts, so that they can hate sin.
God once said of Israel, "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?" (Isa 5:4). He sent the rain upon them, but they yielded no acceptable response.
Let us not forget the point of this text. The salvation of God will not be effective in an unreceptive heart! A distracted spirit will NOT obtain the blessing! When we are not aggressive to reach the goal, we are actually losing ground, slipping back into a state from which recovery is eventuality impossible. If this single perception were generally known and embraced, it would have such an impact upon our churches you would not be able to recognize them.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the abundance of grace You have shown to me. I desire for results to be found in me that bring pleasure to You. I yield myself to You, asking for grace to help in the time of need.
-- Tomorrow: SPIRITUAL OPTIMISM --