Hebrews 6

6:1,2Certain basic teachings are essential for all believers to understand. Those basics include the importance of faith, the foolishness of trying to be saved by good deeds, the meaning of baptism and spiritual gifts, and the facts of resurrection and eternal life. To go on to maturity in our understanding, we need to move beyond (but not away from) the basic teachings to a more complete understanding of the faith. And this is what the author intends for his readers to do (6:3). Mature Christians should be teaching new Christians the basics. Then, acting on what they know, the mature will learn even more from God's Word.

6:3These Christians needed to move beyond the basics of their faith to an understanding of Christ as the perfect High The Jews are Abraham’s children, and Christ was his descendant. We are Christ’s brothers and sisters; thus, all believers are Abraham’s children and God's children. Abraham was righteous because of his faith; we are made righteous through faith in Christ. The promises made to Abraham apply to us because of Christ. this verse today to superficial believers who renounce their Christianity or to unbelievers who come close to salvation and then turn away. Either way, those who reject Christ will not be saved. Christ died once for atl. He will not be crucified again. Apart from his cross, there is no other possibie way of salvation. However, the author does not indicate that his readers were in danger of renouncing Christ (see 6:9). He is warning against hardness of heart that would make repentance inconceivable for the sinner.

6:7,8The writer uses an analogy from agriculture to make a simple point. Real seeds (the gospel) given genuine care by the farmer (God) and planted in a fertile field (your heart and life) will produce a bountiful crop (spiritual maturity). Weeds (temptations) threaten to overwhelm the crop. if the field produces only weeds, then the seeds are lost and the field ruined. An unproductive Christian life falls under God's condemnation. You have been watered by God’s grace with clear and abundant teaching and preaching. What excuse do you have for a useless or unproductive life? Don’t be a Christian in name only. Make sure your life bears fruit.

6:10it's easy to get discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But God is never unjust. He never forgets or overlooks our hard work for him. Presently you may not be receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry. Let God’s love for you and his intimate knowledge of your service for him bolster you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth.

6:11,12Hope keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeiing bored. Like an athlete, train hard and run well, remembering the reward that lies ahead (Philippians 3:14).

6:15Abraham waited patiently; it was 25 years from the time God had promised him a son (Genesis 12:7; 13:14-16; 15:4, 5; 17:16) to Isaac’s birth (Genesis 21:1-3). Because our trials and temptations are often so intense, they seem to last for an eternity. Both the Bible and the testimony of mature Christians encourage us to wait for God to act in his timing, even when our needs seem too great to wait any longer.

6:17God's promises are unchanging and trustworthy because God is unchanging and trustworthy. When promising Abraham ason, God took an oath in his own name. The oath was as good as God’s name, and God’s name was as good as his divine nature.

6:18,19These two unchangeable things are God's promise and his oath. God embodies all truth; therefore, he cannot lie. Because God is truth, you can be secure in his promises; you don’t need to wonder if he will change his plans. Our hope is secure and immovable, anchored in God, just as a ship’s anchor holds firmly to the seabed. To the true seeker who comes to God in belief, God gives an unconditional promise of acceptance. When you ask God with openness, honesty, and sincerity to save you from your sins, He will do it. This truth should give you encouragement, assurance, and confidence.

6:19,20Accurtain hung between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, “God’s inner sanctuary.” This curtain prevented anyone from entering, gazing into, or even getting a fleeting glimpse of the interior of the Most Holy Place (see also 9:1-8) The high priest could enter there only once a year to stand in God's presence and atone for the sins of the entire nation. But Christ is in God's presence at all times, not just once a year, as the High Priest who can continually intercede for us.