Elementary Principles

 Elementary Principles

Hebrews 6:1–3

The Bible is one story. It has many parts, but all the parts fit together. The Bible tells us how our world came to be, what the world is becoming, and how it will end.

The core message is so simple that even a child can understand it: I am a sinner. Jesus died for my sins. If I accept Jesus as my Savior, He will forgive all my sins and make me His child.

As we grow older, we fill in the details. We gain knowledge and understanding. Children may enjoy the story of Noah’s Ark, but as we mature, we ask deeper questions about that story. This is part of healthy growth. All living things grow; if they stop growing, they begin to decline.

The same is true of us.  Our bodies grow, our minds develop, and our spirits mature. If we stop growing, we begin to decline. With our bodies, after our twenties, we stop growing and get weak. At first, we do not notice it. Over time, our strength and vitality fade. After years of this, we all die. There is no stopping this process in our bodies.

But God gives us eternal life in our spirits. That means we should never stop growing. We must continue growing. If we don’t, we become weak in our spirits.

Look at what Hebrews 6 says: 

Hebrews 6:1–3 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary [principles] of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Notice these six “elementary principles.”

1. Repentance
2. Faith
3. Baptisms
4. Laying on of hands (authority and spiritual leadership)
5. Resurrection
6. Eternal judgment.

These are foundational teachings—our ABCs. And yet, many people get lost because they do not know these basic teachings.

Growth takes work. We see this in children: they go to school for 12+ years, with clear goals and daily lesson plans. Our spirits need the same kind of attention.

If we don’t plan to learn, we won’t learn. This echoes what I wrote about the Sabbath: if we don’t plan to observe it, it won’t happen.

Think about the Hebrews and why they needed to learn the basics.

Hebrews 5:12–14 (NKJV) 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

This is a sober assessment: they had stopped growing—and didn’t realize it. Notice that the author says “again.” “You need someone to teach you again.”  Notice also that the author says, "You have come to need milk and not solid food.” This implies that they once had learned; that they once had been able to eat “solid food.”

In this, we see that not continuing to grow is dangerous. Spiritual decline can be dangerous. It occurs when we neglect to pursue growth.

A salmon swims upstream to spawn. It must fight the current, or it will drift back downstream.

Our world has many currents that we must “swim upstream” against. Apathy, lethargy, laziness, and the devil are our enemies. There are many traps, like entertainment, being busy, alcohol, pornography, gossip, and malice. If we don't make an effort to grow, we will drift. Our spiritual life can suffer, and we may fall into a trap.

I want to commend you for being here today. You made the effort to read this far and were looking for something when you came. Thank you. I pray that God blesses you for it.

Previously, I wrote about the Sabbath. I see it as one of the basic principles. It supports all future spiritual growth.

It would be good to read my article on the Sabbath. In it, I looked at three more spiritual truths: 1. If we do not purpose to walk with God, we will drift. All stray from time to time. That’s why repentance and forgiveness must be part of our regular spiritual rhythm. 2. Every person has an idol—something other than God we look to for help or strength.   This is often subtle, and it takes honesty and prayer to identify. 3. The history of Israel teaches us these truths.  In the life of Israel, we see a cycle that often repeats in our lives:   - God speaks. We respond.    - We drift and serve other things.    - God intervenes.    - We repent.    - God speaks again.    Then we repeat steps 2 through 5.

We are not doomed to repeat this cycle forever. God has given us eternal life in Jesus. That means we can and must keep growing.

Hebrews says we must move beyond the foundational doctrines and grow in maturity. As we learn, we grow. As we grow, we understand more.

Be aware of the danger of drifting and traps; our spiritual growth is of utmost importance. It is also urgent.

Revelation 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

God tells us the time is near. That doesn’t mean we panic. It means we prepare. What will He find us doing when He returns?

If you belong to Christ, you are safe. If you don’t know whether you belong to Him, settle that today. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior. When you do, He gives you the Holy Spirit, who will teach you everything you need to know.

If you’re wondering where to begin: - Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. - Start where you are. Ask any questions that are on your mind. - Seek answers in the Bible.

Beware of false teachers and online misinformation. Users must use Google and YouTube with discernment, even though they are great tools. The Spirit will never contradict the Word of God. Always confirm what you hear with Scripture. To grasp Biblical truths, we need to look at all of Scripture. Focusing on just one verse, phrase, or paragraph isn’t enough.

In Revelation 22:20, Jesus says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” “Quickly” here means suddenly, without delay once it begins. The time that is “near” will happen suddenly when most will not expect it, and at a time no one but God knows.

But, God promises blessings for the person who reads and keeps the things of His word. Reading and keeping the things in the Bible leads to growth. Growing shows that we are alive. Are you ready to receive a blessing? Revelation 1:3 (NKJV)says,  “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Commit to reading. 

Commit to learning. 

Commit to growing.