Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1-2 NIV
In this passage, the author of Hebrews encourages us to move beyond the fundamentals of our faith. Some of the things he identifies might seem strange to some of us, like cleansing rites. But other items he identifies are very familiar to us. Repentance, faith, the resurrection, and judgment are common topics that we frequently hear discussed.
And, to be clear, there is nothing wrong with continuing to remind ourselves of these important doctrines that form the bedrock of our faith. But, as the author says here, it is important to also move beyond them. To grow deeper in our understanding of our salvation and of what God is doing.
Moving Beyond the Fundamentals
I advanced in my job by continually learning more about it, and how to do the job more effectively. I grow in my relationship with my wife by continuing to learn more about her and who she is. In nearly every endeavor in my life, ongoing learning has been a part of the growing process.
And it is really no different in my spiritual life. If I just keep learning the same things over and over again, what growth is taking place? If the lessons I get in my Bible study classes are the same as last year, and the year before that, and back and back, what have I gained?
Don’t be content with what you know about our faith. Seek to grow in it. Develop and mature as a believer rather than stagnate at an elementary level. Go beyond the basic fundamentals of our faith.
