“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.” Heb. 6:1 NLT 

Footsteps #425. There is a small sea-dwelling worm called the convuluta that only eats once in its lifetime and then it attempts to survive on that one meal while basking in the sun. In the spring it hatches and feeds on algae until it is full and then it eats no more. It survives on the starches that the algae produce by photosynthesis while it lies in the sun. In Science, we call this a symbiotic relationship.  

As the days pass it becomes evident that it needs more than starch to survive, so it begins to digest the algae. When the last algae are gone it dies.  Why doesn’t it eat again? Because it losses the ability to do so. Spiritually, we try sometimes to survive for long periods of time on past experiences, but it doesn’t work. In Hebrews chapter 5 we find Paul rebuking his hearer’s for their lack of spiritual growth.  Read 5:11-14, 6:1,7,8.  Notice expressions like ‘you are spiritually dull’, ‘you are like babies,’ ‘unyielding fields of thorns and thistles fit for the fire.’ Paul is pulling no punches! If that is not enough, in vs11-12 he states that this apathy and spiritual dullness can lead to open public repudiation of Christ and the cross!  

In chapter 10 he states another problem; the peril of wavering and the neglect of public assembly which can lead to the casting away of the triumph of God’s program. (Read Hebrews 10:19-25)” Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” V23NLT. 

Notice Paul’s admonition in v25. We have to keep the end of all things in mind. We have to keep looking beyond. Behold the Lamb on Mt Zion, the victory chorus of the redeemed. See the end of the story and the triumph of the great controversy. No matter how the devil might try and kick you around, remember he is defeated, you will be victorious, and his end has been proclaimed. 

Can you see how Paul, in his sermon, is showing his hearers the dangers of growing weary? The problem for this unidentified audience is not false teachers as in Galatia who were sweeping young hearers off their feet. Nor was it the heady enthusiasm because of spiritual manifestations as in Corinth, with their moral corruption and chaotic worship. Neither was it the question of the failure of the Jews to receive the gospel, or the Romans returning to works and tradition. It was very unlike the problem of over-enthusiasm and misinterpretation and misunderstandings that was evident in Thessalonica. No, their problem was one of tired blood, burned-out religion. The growing weary of waiting for the Lord’s return. They had become sluggish in their Christian identity. They were questioning the value of their religion. Are you to be found in any of these descriptions? Then Hebrews is for you!