Hebrews 6:1-8: a reflection

1Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 2of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3This will we do, if God permits. 4For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. 7For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 8but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

The writer of Hebrews urges his readers to press on: Leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us go on to maturity. He does not want them to keep laying and relaying the same foundation, going over the basics again and again without ever building on them; he wants them to move forward, to grow, to press on toward maturity. The foundation is necessary, but it is not meant to be the whole building; on it, they are to grow up into maturity.

Notice the call: to press on toward maturity, not remaining forever on the elementary things. The basic teachings are the foundation, necessary and good; but a foundation is meant to be built upon, not endlessly relaid. The writer urges his readers not to stay perpetually on the basics, going over the same first things without ever growing beyond them, but to press on, to grow, to move toward maturity. The Christian life is meant to be one of growth, not of perpetual infancy.

That call to press on toward maturity is one we can need, for it is possible to stay perpetually on the basics, never growing. We can remain, year after year, on the elementary things, going over the same first understandings without ever deepening or growing, remaining spiritual infants. But we are called to press on toward maturity, to grow beyond the foundation, to deepen and mature in our faith. Do not remain perpetually on the basics, content never to grow; press on toward maturity, building on the foundation rather than endlessly relaying it. The foundation is necessary, but it is meant to be built upon; grow beyond it, pressing on toward the maturity to which you are called. Do not be content with perpetual spiritual infancy, going over the same first things forever; press on, grow, and move toward the maturity that is the goal, building on the foundation rather than staying always upon it.

Lord, the writer of Hebrews urges his readers to press on: leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us go on to maturity; not endlessly relaying the same foundation, but building on it, growing, pressing toward maturity. Show me that call, which I can need, for it is possible to stay perpetually on the basics, never growing. I can remain, year after year, on the elementary things, going over the same first understandings without ever deepening or growing, remaining a spiritual infant. But I am called to press on toward maturity, to grow beyond the foundation, to deepen and mature in my faith. Keep me from remaining perpetually on the basics, content never to grow; help me press on toward maturity, building on the foundation rather than endlessly relaying it. The foundation is necessary, but it is meant to be built upon; help me grow beyond it, pressing on toward the maturity to which I am called. Keep me from being content with perpetual spiritual infancy, going over the same first things forever; help me press on, grow, and move toward the maturity that is the goal, Lord, building on the foundation rather than staying always upon it. Help me grow toward maturity.