Hebrews 6:4-8 | What's the lesson for me today?

I was sobbing... hysterically. Both of my parents enter into the room and find that I am being tormented by my older brother who has me pinned down. He lurches up the moment my parents step in. As they see that the situation was nowhere near the severity my crying had made it out to be, they gave an instruction to each of us. To me, I was told to stop crying. My brother was told not to touch me. Then they left. Like any good older brother, mine immediately approached me, bringing his finger as close to me as possible without touching me and said those famous lines, "I'm not touching you." I lost it.

We have this lovely habit as human beings where we love to get as close to the line as we possibly can without violating the command. And in doing so, we end up in violation of the purpose of the command. My brother heeded what my parents instructed, but failed to get the point. The idea was not that touch was bad. It was that instigating was bad. We could run the gambit around all the ways we could refine my brother's actions and still miss the heart of the message. This is exactly how Jesus taught. The Pharisees may have been great at not committing adultery, but their hearts were ripe with lust. They may have never murdered someone, but they lived out of anger towards their brethren.

When we study passages like this, we try to find where that line is. We like to get as close as we can without crossing it. If I do this thing, will I lose my salvation? No? Then it is fine! I will make it. This is the way we think. It won't cost me the greatest price, so I can afford it. We lack a tremendous amount of wisdom when it comes to true obedience. I have heard it said this way. The edges of the narrow path are worn by Christians infatuated with the things of the world. They are still on that path, but they are getting as close to the edge as they can. Why do we play these games?

Let us heed the same warning as the original audience. Whether you believe once saved always saved or not, why test it? Whether you believe falling away is possible, why throw yourself off that cliff? Do not draw back! Press forward in your faith. Center your life on Christ and you will do well.

What lesson are you taking today?