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“Therefore let us go on toward perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).
In today’s society, many seek God in a variety of ways. If we took a look at some of the best-selling books of several years ago, we would find books like the Prayer of Jabez and titles in the Left Behind series. Although many in our churches bought and read these books, the real market for these spiritual books was in the larger society that had little to do with the Church. We can see that many are seeking.
Seekers of God were also found in the early days of Christianity when Hebrews was written. Many sought strength and comfort and looked for it in many ways, similar to us today.
The author of Hebrews knows people are searching and wants the members of this church to look no further than the “oracles of God” (Hebrews 5:12). It is to the Word of God that the people are urged to return, or in reality, to never depart from it.
If people want to find what they are looking for and to forge a deeper relationship with Christ, then they need to return to that solid foundation of teaching—that base of God’s Word. The writer of Hebrews encourages the readers to not abandon God. In God, they will find life and meaning. They will fully meet God’s Son. What they need, this writer suggests, are the basic things about God—those with which we are very familiar. What we seek for in a faraway land, we already have right at home.
In Hebrews 6:1, there are two key messages. First, the writer does not separate himself from those to whom he is writing. He writes about “us.” This is an important word for all who are in the Church. When we do things, when we search, we do them as a family of God. Maturing in faith does not apply to only a few, but to the community of faith as we all use our gifts together to continue growing and serving.
Second, the writer invites us to move toward perfection. We are encouraged to move on in our journey to spiritual maturity and find that authentic, true, and deep faith that we seek. This invitation toward perfection encourages us to deepen our faith and to not be content with current levels of faith. It is an invitation to “abundant life”—a call to higher faith and deeper life in Christ.
Prayer: Almighty God, draw us nearer, bring us closer as we move toward the perfection we seek. Keep us searching and yearning for a deeper relationship with You. Fill our hearts with the desire to become more Christ-like as we mature and develop spiritually. Walk with us as we make our journey in life. In Christ we pray, Amen.
Rick Cederholm
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church
Torrington, WY
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