Go! And Hold Firm to the Hope in Christ - Hebrews 6
Introduction
We live in a world filled with uncertainty. But as believers in Christ, we have a firm foundation. Hebrews 6 calls us to grow in faith, persevere, and hold firm to the hope we have in Jesus.
Today, we will explore what it means to press on in spiritual maturity, to take warning against falling away, and to hold fast to the unshakable hope we have in Christ.
Our key passage today is Hebrews 6:1-20. Let us read together from the New Living Translation:
"So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God." (Hebrews 6:1, NLT)
1. Go! And Pursue Spiritual Maturity
The writer of Hebrews urges us to move beyond the basics of the faith and press on to maturity. This does not mean abandoning foundational truths, but rather building upon them. We are not meant to remain spiritual infants but to grow in our faith.
Paul writes in Philippians 3:14: "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
To grow in faith means to deepen our understanding, strengthen our relationship with Christ, and live out our faith daily. Spiritual maturity is not about knowing more facts but about a transformed life.
John Piper once said: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” The more we grow, the more we reflect Christ.
John Piper’s statement, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him,” is a powerful reminder that our ultimate joy and fulfilment are found in God alone. True satisfaction is not in worldly success, fleeting pleasures, or temporary achievements but in a deep and abiding relationship with our Creator.
The psalmist declares in Psalm 16:11 (NLT): "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."
Here, we see that real joy, lasting satisfaction, and eternal pleasure come only from being in God’s presence. When we are truly satisfied in Him, our lives become a testimony of His goodness and grace.
Jesus Himself taught this truth when He said in John 15:5 (NLT): "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
When we abide in Christ—when we find our satisfaction in Him—our lives bear fruit for His glory. Our love for Him overflows in worship, service, and a desire to make Him known.
The Apostle Paul echoes this in Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT): "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
Paul’s satisfaction was in Christ, not in his circumstances. And because of this, his life glorified God.
Are you most satisfied in Him?
Do you long for His presence above all else?
The more we delight in Him, the more our lives reflect His glory to a watching world. May we pursue God as our greatest treasure, knowing that when we are most satisfied in Him, He is most glorified in us.
Are you actively seeking to grow in your faith? Are you spending time in God’s Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with believers? Commit to growing in maturity.
2. Go! And Take Warning Against Falling Away
Hebrews 6:4-6 contains one of the most sobering warnings in Scripture: "For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit." (Hebrews 6:4, NLT)
This passage is not meant to cause fear but to encourage perseverance. True believers will endure, but those who turn away from Christ demonstrate that they were never truly His.
1 John 2:19 (NLT): These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.
Jesus Himself said in John 15:5: "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
Charles Stanley once said: “You always have God’s full attention. The real question is, does He have yours?”
Charles Stanley’s statement, “You always have God’s full attention. The real question is, does He have yours?” is a profound reminder of both God’s faithfulness and our responsibility to seek Him wholeheartedly.
The truth is, God never stops watching over us, guiding us, loving us, and listening to our prayers. The psalmist declares in Psalm 121:3-4 (NLT): "He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps."
God is always attentive. He never takes His eyes off us. He knows our needs before we even ask. He is not distant or distracted—He is fully present.
Yet, the question Charles Stanley raises challenges us: Do we give God our full attention?
Jesus taught this in Matthew 6:33 (NLT): "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
Too often, we allow the noise of life to drown out God’s voice. We get consumed by our worries, schedules, and ambitions, failing to pause and focus on the One who holds everything together.
In Luke 10:38-42 (NLT), we see this in the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was distracted by busyness, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening intently.
Jesus said: "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."
Mary gave Jesus her full attention. She recognised that listening to Him was the most important thing she could do.
So, does God have your full attention today? Are you listening to His voice, seeking His will, and making time to be still in His presence? He is always attentive to us—let us respond by turning our hearts and minds fully toward Him. May we not just know that He is watching over us, but may we also be faithful in fixing our eyes on Him.
Examine your heart. Are you fully devoted to Christ, or have you grown cold? If your faith has waned, renew your commitment today.
3. Go! And Trust in God’s Promises
Hebrews 6:13-15 reminds us of God’s unchanging faithfulness: "For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: ‘I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.’"
God’s promises are sure. Abraham waited patiently and received the blessing. We, too, must trust in God’s faithfulness.
Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 1:20: "For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for his glory."
Timothy Keller once said: “God will only give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything He knows.”
Timothy Keller’s statement, “God will only give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything He knows,” is a powerful reminder of God's wisdom, sovereignty, and perfect love.
We often approach God in prayer with limited perspective—we see only part of the picture, but God sees the whole.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) declares: "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
We may think we know what is best for our lives, but God’s wisdom is infinitely greater than ours. He knows the past, the present, and the future. He knows the ripple effects of every decision. He knows what will truly bring us joy, purpose, and eternal good.
This is why we can trust God even when He says ‘No’ or ‘Wait’ to our prayers. We see an example of this in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT), where Paul pleaded with God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh."
But God's response was not what Paul expected: "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
Paul thought his life would be better if God removed his suffering, but God knew that His grace was better than Paul’s relief.
This truth should bring us comfort and peace. Even when life doesn’t make sense, we can trust that God is working for our good.
Romans 8:28 (NLT) assures us: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
So when we pray, let us surrender to God’s perfect wisdom, trusting that He answers according to what is truly best. If we could see what He sees, we would ask for exactly what He gives us.
Instead of demanding our will, may we pray as Jesus did in Luke 22:42 (NLT): "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
God is always good, always wise, and always loving. Let us trust His answers—even when we do not fully understand them.
What promises of God are you holding onto today? Be encouraged—He is faithful.
4. Go! And Hold Firm to the Anchor of Our Soul
The chapter concludes with these powerful words: "This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us." (Hebrews 6:19-20, NLT)
An anchor keeps a ship steady in the storm. Jesus is our anchor, holding us firm in faith no matter what storms we face.
Romans 8:38-39 assures us: "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love."
Max Lucado once said: “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”
Max Lucado’s words, “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile,” capture a profound biblical truth. The Christian life is not a path of ease and comfort—it is a journey filled with trials, challenges, and moments of struggle. But we endure because we know where we are headed: into the eternal presence of our Saviour.
Jesus Himself warned us that following Him would not be easy.
In John 16:33 (NLT), He said: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
Jesus didn’t promise a life free of hardship, but He did promise victory. The journey may be hard, but He has already won the battle!
Consider the Apostle Paul—he faced beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and persecution, yet he never lost sight of the destination.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT), he wrote: "For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
Paul understood that temporary suffering is nothing compared to eternal glory. No matter how hard the road, the final destination makes it all worthwhile.
The Christian journey is one of faithfulness and perseverance.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) encourages us: "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."
Jesus Himself endured suffering for the joy set before Him—our salvation! If He endured, we too can press on, knowing that the joy of eternity awaits.
Max Lucado’s words remind us to stay the course, keep the faith, and trust in God’s promises. The journey may be difficult, but the reward—eternal life with Christ—far outweighs every struggle we will ever face. So, let us press on with hope and confidence, knowing that one day we will hear our Saviour say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23, NLT).
Are you anchored in Christ? If the storms of life have shaken you, renew your trust in Jesus today.
Conclusion & Call to Action:
Hebrews 6 reminds us to pursue spiritual maturity, take warning against falling away, trust in God’s promises, and hold firm to the anchor of our souls. We serve a God who is faithful, a Saviour who is our anchor, and a hope that is eternal.
If you have never placed your trust in Jesus, today is the day of salvation. Come to Christ. Be anchored in His love.
For those who are already believers, go and live out your faith. Trust in the promises of God. Grow in maturity. And hold firm to Jesus.
May the Lord bless His Word in our hearts today. Amen.
