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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
David Spriggs and are based on Hebrews 6 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Romans 4
1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are
crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case – the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Sunday September 29 - On to maturity
Therefore let us... go on to maturity... and God permitting, we will do so.
Hebrews 6:1,3
This chapter is all about keeping on the move, going forward, making progress. I ride a bike to keep fit, and for enjoyment! On one occasion my shoelace got wrapped round the pedal so I couldn’t move forward. Guess what happened!! I fell off the bike, or rather I fell on to the road with the bike on top of me! It’s a rule of life as well as cycling that if we don’t keep moving forward we will fall.
As Christians we can easily start to prefer what we know and feel comfortable with. This can apply to the songs we like, even the seat we sit in at church. It can be the way we like the ‘communion service’ or the leader of our church. It can also be about the parts of the Bible we read or the messages from the pulpit. All of these may be valuable and good, but we need to keep looking forward, welcoming changes and discovering new truths about God, our salvation and the Christian community.
The Bible talks about ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’ (Ephesians 3:8). This doesn’t mean we are not to seek for them, but rather that however much we know and love of Jesus, and however much we may have become like him, there is always more to discover, enjoy and live out!
Gracious God, thank you that you are always calling us to follow Jesus. Help me to be excited and not frightened about this! Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY