Let Us Go On to Perfection

Let Us Go On to Perfection

Hebrews 5:12, 6:3. In German, Hebrews 5:12 says they needed to be taught the first letters, in other words, the ABCs of the divine words of God. In Chapter 6:1 and 2 it is written what these ABCs are: repentance from dead works and faith in God, baptism, the doctrine of the laying on of hands; in other words, the baptism of the Spirit and healing, the resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment, and obviously all kinds of similar things, such as atonement, breaking of bread, the millennium.

In Chapter 6:1 it is written that we shall leave the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ; in German it says we shall walk away from it or let it be. In Norwegian [and English]: go on to perfection. In German it says that we shall pursue perfection. This is in agreement with what Paul says: “I press toward the goal . . . .” Phil. 3:14.

Just as they laid the foundation again and again in those days (in other words, continued with the ABCs), so it is also in these days. The fact of the matter is that people neither believe in any kind of perfection nor do they have a genuine hunger and thirst for it, nor are they willing to pay the price in order to obtain it. This is precisely why it is as it is written in Hebrews 6:3 that we can reach perfection only if God permits.

This last part in particular is a very little known truth. The fact is that He does not permit such unbelieving, indifferent people who are not in a state to appreciate that which is divine and perfect to obtain this glorious life.

Such people are more interested in gifts and talents, music, large congregations, and all the outward indications of a worship service rather than the divine life to which we are called. This is precisely why they will never obtain it and will end up like the foolish (German: stupid) virgins standing outside when Christ comes to fetch His bride. This is no joke!

One could think, as most people usually do, that the apostle would emphasize how important the elementary principles are in this context. Yet we plainly see here that the apostle does not do that, even though they are very necessary. It is typical for soulish, carnal people to be regularly bothered by such unnecessary cares.