Explore: Don’t Walk Away

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Oct. 12 focuses on Hebrews 6:1-8.

In this section of Hebrews, the preacher takes a break from the high theological discourse about the priesthood of Christ. It is as if he sets down his notes, cups his hands around his mouth, and says: “Wake up! Pay attention!” If his audience’s eyes were beginning to glaze over, the preacher needs to challenge them by way of some creative motivational tactics. He shamelessly pulls out tools familiar to every parent, teacher or preacher—exaggeration and reverse psychology.

One of the most effective ways to get a preschooler to try a new food is to act as if he or she is not old enough to enjoy it, and so to actually discourage him or her from trying it. “Oh, I’m sure you won’t like this. You’re not old enough yet. In fact, I really don’t think you should even try it. Let me just move that away from you. It’s only for big girls and boys.” And, of course, the preschooler immediately will rise to the challenge and insist on trying this new delicacy.

Exhortation toward growth

The preacher uses this same tactic on the congregation. After insulting their attentiveness and comprehension at the end of chapter 5, the preacher begins chapter 6 by exhorting the congregation toward growth and maturity. They are to move past elementary or foundational truths about Christ into the real meat of mature faith.

The foundational elements suggested by the preacher could be a part of the congregation’s discipleship training or confirmation classes accompanying baptism. Different groups throughout church history have held to different sets of fundamentals. The specific list is not as important as the idea of being tied to a checklist of beliefs. It’s not as if one can check off these benchmarks and then sit back and be done with sanctification.

The key word in this section seems to be the word “move” (6:1). Faith maturation always requires some type of movement. In fact, movement is inevitable, even if imperceptible.

As Tom Long points out in his commentary Interpretation: “One must always be moving, and there are only two directions in which one can move: deeper or adrift. Either we keep growing, maturing, becoming more profound in our faith, or we are content to float lazily along the surface, unaware that the treacherous currents are pulling us more and more off course until we are hopelessly lost.”

Note the source

It is important to note the source of action in verse 1. As the Christian grows in his or her faith, it happens both because of the Spirit’s work in our lives and because of our intentionality in becoming more like Christ. It is not as if we have to muster every effort and achieve perfection through our own resolve and sheer force of will. No, we can “move beyond the elementary teachings” and “be taken forward” to maturity or perfection (6:1).

Christ is the pioneer of our salvation, made perfect through what he suffered (2:10). And so we are not blazing a trail; we are following one set out by Christ, carried along by the Holy Spirit, and preceded by those saints whose diligence, faith and patience have given us an example to imitate (6:11-12).

As we set off on the trail to Christian maturity, one of the great dangers along the way is apostasy. Here again, the preacher employs hyperbole to warn the congregation against falling away and stresses the importance of remaining faithful to the end. It seems the preacher is perhaps using descriptive language rather than prescriptive language in this section.

As a pastor, he has witnessed those in his own flock who have rejected the abundant life Christ offers, perhaps in the face of great persecution and suffering. His warning here is not meant to imply there are limits to the patience and grace of God, but rather that he has seen the unlikelihood of parishioners returning after storming away from God’s grace.

The stark language of verse 6 lays out a black-and-white distinction between the ominous fate of those who have fallen away and the more hopeful prospective of his congregation. The preacher is urging his congregation toward faithful growth.

If they remain watchful and purposeful, continuing to nurture their relationship with God, they will continue moving toward maturity. Instead of risking rendering Christ’s sacrifice useless, they will receive the blessing of God. In fact, this doomsday projection (v. 6) is mitigated by his later reassurance: “Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case” (v. 9).

Thorns and thistles

The point is brought home with an agricultural illustration that would have resonated well with the congregation, especially as it brought to mind Old Testament texts that speak of thorns and thistles, or blessings and curses (see Isaiah 5:1-7; Genesis 3:17-18; Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

Those who continue in Christ-like transformation are like well-watered ground, useful and producing great blessing. By contrast, those who reject their faith in Christ are like land that produces thorns and thistles, in danger of a dire end.

The preacher paints a picture of alternatives: laziness versus work, falling away versus diligence, apostasy versus following Christ. We can follow the path that has been enlightened, put to work the goodness of the word of God, having been equipped by sharing in the Holy Spirit. And our pioneer Christ will lead us down the path of salvation to the very end, where our hope is realized and our inheritance is promised.