"Leaving the Beginning Word of Christ" (Heb 6)

(vs1-3) “Therefore, leaving the beginning word of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

First, if the Son can't save us the first time, then we can't be saved. If trusting Christ can't keep a man fruitful, then there's no hope (Heb 6:1-8). We read, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” Thus, the problem isn't Christ; it is unbelief. You haven’t really believed, unless you bear fruit.

People say, “I'm saved”.  Yet, their life says, “I'm not”.  They drew back, stopped pressing, and never trusted the blood. If they believed, they'd have help in time of need, and forgiveness would show in newness of life.

Secondly, promises are not all easily obtained, and there is affliction while we wait (vs9-12). God is faithful, but there are tears to experience. We read, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises”.    True faith isn't temporary; it endures.  And the book of Hebrews teaches us to rely on the Mediator for real.

Faith is a battle.  Life tries us, the world calls us to quit, and we need encouragement to wait on God, rather than drawing back.

Thirdly, our encouragement, or the refuge of hope, is God's faithfulness and promise (vs13-20). We read, “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us”. He may tarry, but God will be faithful to His word in the end. He told Habbakuk, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”  We count on Him because He's 100% trustworthy, though difficulties tell us that He's unfaithful, and will not help.

Don't cast away your hope for Esau's meal or Balaam's wickedness. Don't compromise, hiding Christ.