REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles, was first posted on November 3, 2016. Charles is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Don’t Trust Your Dad, Kids. Trust the Father Above”
Hebrews 6:1-3 (NASB)
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits.
It’s amazing how my young children will trust me with just about anything. They are still young enough to think that their daddy knows everything and is stronger than just about anyone. I intend to milk it until they discover on some sad day in the future, that their father is a mere mortal. While the truth eventually catches up with every earthly father, our heavenly Father truly knows all and is able to accomplish His purposes by the strength of His word.
We learned yesterday the writer of Hebrews urging his listeners to press on to maturity in the faith. This was something that they sorely lacked—especially since they had been believers for a long time. It’s expected of the followers of Christ that there would be a natural process of growing and maturing, so that we are not laying again the foundation of our faith—that is, the basic and elementary doctrines that begins our new birth in Christ (6:1).
Among these elementary doctrines, the author includes in verse 2, “washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.” These references are a bit obscure, but it is generally understood that these are practices and beliefs that include baptism and the basic understanding of the end times. We are to go beyond such basics and press into greater knowledge and greater depth when it comes to the doctrines of our faith.
The author speaks a note of strong affirmation of God’s sovereignty in verse 3. He desires to move the audience forward into maturity, but he acknowledges that only “if God permits,” implying that he will only be able to do so if God is willing. This is a great reminder that all of life is lived under the comprehensive sovereignty of God. Whatever happens in life, let us trust that our heavenly Father is sovereign and knows what is best for His children. And unlike all earthly fathers, He is capable of bringing to pass His sovereign plans, because He is truly the Mighty One!
Prayer: God, thank You for Your sovereignty. I will trust You to lead me and guide me through every step of my life. May Your will be done in my life and in my world. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 3
Lunch Break Study
Read Romans 10:9-10: . . . because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Questions to Consider
1. What is the most basic thing we must do to be saved according to Romans 10:9?
2. What does the heart do? What does the mouth do?
3. So to grow more mature, what must you start to believe in and confess your mouth with?
Notes
1. We must confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead.
2. The hearts helps us believe, while the mouth helps us make our confession.
3. Personal application.
Evening Reflection
Were you able to think deeply about God today? Or can you identify something pertaining to your spiritual life where you can use more clarity and more certainty? Ask the Lord in prayer to guide you now.