There’s a sense in which it is impossible to stand still in the Christian life. Either we move forward, or we slip back. These Hebrews had once tried to grow in their knowledge of God, but they were no longer bothering (5:11). They’d been Christians a while, but they were in no place to teach younger believers. They hadn’t moved on from the basics, in fact, they’d forgotten them (5:12). And that was borne out by how they were living their lives (v 13). It may be that they had slipped back into a Jewish legalism, thinking that law-keeping and ceremonial washings were what mattered (6:1,2) rather than repentance from sin and faith in Christ. It makes sense of all the warning passages that pepper the letter. 

Instead, they should have been moving forward to maturity (6:1). And so should we. A Christian shouldn’t remain forever in ‘the sin that so easily entangles’ (12:1). We are called to train our hearts to love good and not evil, and to know the difference (5:14). Is there entangling sin in your life? What practical step will you take today to move beyond it (see Matthew 5:29,30)? What are the standards for Christian devotion in our churches today? How hungry are we to know God through his Word? How devoted are we to prayer? 

‘I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings.’¹ Join with Paul in expressing your desire to know Jesus better.

Recent surveys in the UK and the USA reveal that not only do many Christians have an inadequate grasp of Christian truth, but they actually believe things that are contrary to the Bible.² The issue that the writer raises here, therefore, has a contemporary feel. We are concerned when babies fail to grow: gaining physical strength, knowledge and wisdom. We should be just as concerned when Christians do not grow in understanding of the truth, relationship with God and holy living. There is an element of irony in these verses – all part of the author’s persuasive strategy. The word translated ‘no longer try’ (v 11) carries a stronger meaning; they have become lazy or sluggish (see too v 12). Pressing on with God is no longer their priority.

In 6:1 and 2 the writer is presumably highlighting particular local issues. The word translated ‘cleansing rites’ is translated in different ways (baptisms, washings) and probably refers to Jewish rites rather than Christian baptism, for which the New Testament uses a different word. The issues today may be different, but the need to press on remains. The initial act of repentance and faith is essential, but we cannot live in the past; it is where we are with God today that matters. The remedy for slipping back, now as then, is to go forward. Pressing on requires effort. Solid food is for those who ‘by constant use have trained themselves’ (5:14). Paul recognised that he had not arrived but still needed to press on to enter in to all that Jesus had done for him.³

The writer is concerned primarily with understanding truth. In a world of conflicting ideas and world views, it is important to know what we believe and why. The church needs people who can make a robust and convincing presentation of truth.

What might the next step in pressing on to maturity involve for you?

¹ Phil 3:10  ² www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/november/uk-state-of-theology-ligonier-british-evangelicals-dont-kno.html  ³ Phil 3:12