Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow . . . [though] because He honored God, God answered Him. (Hebrews 5:7-8, The Message)
Jesus honored God, therefore God answered His cries. How often do we cry out but hear no answer? Daily, weekly? It may be because we are not honoring God in our lives. We need to be more like in verses 6:1-3 and growing in spiritual maturity by moving past our current state of faith.
So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgement. God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it! (Hebrews 6:1-3, The Message)
In verse 3, we see that it is only the Lord who can open our minds and hearts bringing spiritual maturity. Open yourself up to him, the only one and thing that can help you mature in your faith. Nothing of this earth can.
Likewise, once you have seen the light, had a glimpse of heaven, seen the Holy Spirit at work, and experienced the sheer goodness of God's Word (verse 4) you cannot leave the faith and one day start over like nothing has happened. This is like re-crucifying Jesus!
Our small group had a discussion last night about how hard it is to witness to Muslims because many think that we as Christians don't give us much for the faith. And much too often, unfortunately, they are right. However, that doesn't mean that's they way it's supposed to be. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Friends, I ask and beg of you to seek out God's Word, seek Him out in prayer and be open to the Holy Spirit descending on your life and moving you in spiritual maturity. Find the calling God has for your life and get to it! Give something up for your faith, make you faith in Jesus the most important aspect of your life. Don't wait, not one day. Start today, maybe this very hour and live for the one that saved you.
