Today's Passage - Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 6:1-3   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, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.   What are elementary teachings? For example repentance, faith in God, cleansing rites, laying of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment - these are foundational truths that lead us to salvation. The author of Hebrews describes these as the foundation. Hence these teachings are extremely important. If the foundation is not laid properly, any future building will be futile. The author reminded the believers at that time that although the foundation is important, we should not stay there. Just like babies who may look very cute when they are newborns, they cannot remain as newborns forever. Our spiritual lives are the same way. May the Lord help us not to stagnate at one place.   Many people in the church focus on rites and traditions while losing the true meaning of their faith. We forget that our faith is about establishing a real relationship with Christ Jesus. Although the foundation is important, that is only the beginning. We need to move beyond the elementary teachings and so that our faith may be complete. "Complete" refers to all the blessings that God has prepared for us. We need to come before God and receive all that he has given us. There are people in the church who are afraid of the word "new". They are worried that "new" things will lead to heresies. The truth is that our faith is always built upon a relationship with God and that needs to be renewed constantly. Just like a husband and wife, although they may know each other, there has to be interaction and a renewal of that relationship each day. If the relationship is not renewed, there will be conflicts and dissatisfaction. Hence, although knowledge is the foundation, it does not guarantee that the relationship will be good and relationships need to be renewed each day.   We need to strive towards being complete, to be with the Lord each day. How is your relationship with the Lord today? Perhaps you have a lot of knowledge and truths in your mind, but you need to move beyond these elementary teachings to be in a complete relationship with Him. Is your relationship with God being renewed each day? May God grant us a soft heart to draw close to Him each day.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are a God who is full of love and compassion. Thank you for giving us all kinds of truths so that our faith may have a strong foundation. May you help us not to remain at the elementary truths, but to seek you each day to draw close to you, so we may enter into a complete relationship that pleases you.  I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!     Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!