Setting – Believers should be growing in their faith
Content – We should move beyond the basics of our belief (v. 1 NLT) “So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” we are to (v. 3b NLT) “move forward to further understanding” For those who (v. 4b-6a NLT) “experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come-- and who then turn away from God”, (v 6a NLT) “It is impossible to bring such people to repentance again” why (v. 6b NLT) “because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to public shame”
Here’s an example of those types of people, after it rains on the earth and then the (v. 7a NLT) “field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless”, so, (v. 7b NLT) “The farmer will condemn that field and burn it”
But to the audience of believers (v. 9 NLT) “even though we are talking like this, we really don't believe that it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation” We know that (v. 10 NLT) “God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do”
Our goal is to (v. 11 NLT) “keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true” In doing so (v. 12 NLT) “Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience”
Application – All Christians need to move beyond the basic faith at some point. Those who don’t must question their faith. They might have tasted and experienced faith, but not really own their faith. In living a mock faith they are shaming the cross because their life doesn’t affirm the sanctification of the cross. The believer who grows “He (God) will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians” For the believer our goal is for our faith to grow in depth and breath, so that we will “not become spiritually dull and indifferent” We should “follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience”.
Content – We should move beyond the basics of our belief (v. 1 NLT) “So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” we are to (v. 3b NLT) “move forward to further understanding” For those who (v. 4b-6a NLT) “experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come-- and who then turn away from God”, (v 6a NLT) “It is impossible to bring such people to repentance again” why (v. 6b NLT) “because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to public shame”
Here’s an example of those types of people, after it rains on the earth and then the (v. 7a NLT) “field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless”, so, (v. 7b NLT) “The farmer will condemn that field and burn it”
But to the audience of believers (v. 9 NLT) “even though we are talking like this, we really don't believe that it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation” We know that (v. 10 NLT) “God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do”
Our goal is to (v. 11 NLT) “keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true” In doing so (v. 12 NLT) “Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience”
Application – All Christians need to move beyond the basic faith at some point. Those who don’t must question their faith. They might have tasted and experienced faith, but not really own their faith. In living a mock faith they are shaming the cross because their life doesn’t affirm the sanctification of the cross. The believer who grows “He (God) will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians” For the believer our goal is for our faith to grow in depth and breath, so that we will “not become spiritually dull and indifferent” We should “follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience”.
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