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Rushing to Maturity?

Things that pertain to salvation (1)

 

Would you describe yourself as "rushing on to maturity" in the Lord?

This is the way the writer of Hebrews characterizes what ought to be our approach to growing in Christ (6.1). It's not that we arrive at maturity in a short space; rather, it is that our approach to becoming mature is characterized by "rushing" toward it, like being carried along by a strong wind.

The overarching theme of Hebrews 6 is declared in verse 9: "things that belong to salvation." There are certain things that are not characteristic of those who are truly saved. And there are certain things that are. Of course, we want to make sure we're on the right side of that divide, so that we may "have the full assurance of hope until the end" (v. 11).

One sure way to know whether we are saved is to ask ourselves what our attitude is toward maturing in Christ. Is this something, for example, that we understand to be important, and that, as soon as we can, we're going to get started on this? Or is this something we're "rushing" toward, as if being blown and carried along by a strong, mighty, irresistible wind?

Such an attitude must come from the Lord. We must earnestly seek Him, that He might grant us such an attitude, and the power and resolve to press on toward maturity in a manner that can only be characterized by "rushing" toward it - eagerly, constantly, fervently pressing to reach new levels of maturity at every moment.

The writer describes this attitude with the same verb, in the same form of the verb, that is used to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.2. When we are "rushing" to become mature in Christ - a life-long adventure characterized by daily pressing and striving - it is actually the Spirit of God Who is at work within us, making us willing and able to do what God is calling us to do, to "rush" toward maturity in the Lord (Phil. 2.12, 13).

If you would not describe your attitude toward becoming mature in the Lord as "rushing" toward it, then what? Are you "sluggish" in this matter (v. 12)? These are the only two categories presented by our writer. It should be sufficiently evident from our lives - our time with the Lord, sense of engaging His glory, growth in holiness, fervor for good works, power in bearing witness, love for the brethren - which of these two categories best describes us.

The things that pertain to salvation will be evident in those who are "rushing" toward maturity in the power of God's Holy Spirit.

Does this describe you?

T. M. Moore

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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